New Delhi: Delhi High Court on Thursday questioned AAP govt on why the centrally sponsored Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) was not being implemented in Delhi.
The scheme promises a healthcare coverage of Rs 5 lakh. This coverage is intended to protect people from catastrophic expenses related to secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation in a wide network of empanelled public and private hospitals.
The bench on Thursday pointed out that Delhi is not separate from the country and noted that the scheme had been rolled out in 33 states and Union territories.
A special bench of Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Manmeet PS Arora gave the govt a final opportunity to file its reply and posted the matter for hearing next year in Jan. The bench was hearing a PIL filed by all seven BJP MPs from Delhi seeking directions for the inclusion of Delhi in the scheme.
The plea argues that the scheme was not implemented in Delhi, denying the target beneficiaries easy and efficient access to the promised Rs 5 lakh coverage.
The court had earlier criticised Delhi govt for its poor health infrastructure and the lack of funds, wondering why it remained averse to central aid through the scheme. The court highlighted the lack of updated medical equipment, with many existing devices not working, and noted that CT scan facilities for needy patients are nearly unavailable.
The petition also mentioned that a promise was made by Delhi govt in the 2020-2021 Budget speech on implement the scheme. “However, the petitioners contend that this commitment was rendered ineffective due to govt’s failure to take the necessary actions. This inaction, the plea asserts, amounts to a violation of Articles 14 (Right to Equality) and 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty) of the Constitution of India,” it said.
The plea further highlights that the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), launched on Sept 23, 2018, as part of central govt’s Ayushman Bharat Scheme, is the world’s largest health insurance initiative.
The special bench is now also monitoring steps being taken to revamp govt-run hospitals in the city, in which it is being assisted by the director of AIIMS. Earlier, a high-powered panel under Dr Sarin recommended measures to be taken to improve these hospitals.
BJP said Ayushman Bharat is a welfare initiative and if, AAP govt has a better plan, it should have told the court. BJP state president Virendra Sachdeva said, “The anti-public face of Kejriwal and Atishi govt stand exposed…. Kejriwalji, decide a date, time and place, and let us have a public debate on the dire state of Delhi’s public health services,” he said.
