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The political battle over the Ayushman Bharat scheme has intensified, with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) launching a scathing attack on the central government's flagship health initiative. The party, which governs Delhi, has labeled the scheme as 'impractical' and a 'scam,' arguing that it would fail to benefit a single resident of the national capital. These accusations follow Prime Minister Narendra Modi's criticism of the Delhi and West Bengal governments for their refusal to join the scheme.
Sanjay Singh, an AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP, outlined specific conditions under which individuals would be ineligible for the benefits of the Ayushman Bharat scheme. He pointed out that individuals owning a refrigerator, a bike, or having a monthly income exceeding 10,000 rupees would be excluded from the scheme's coverage. Singh asserted that the scheme's criteria effectively bar the majority of Delhi's residents from accessing its benefits, effectively rendering it a sham.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi expressed his disappointment over the non-participation of Delhi and West Bengal in the Ayushman Bharat scheme. He extended an apology to senior citizens in these states, stating that he was unable to provide them with the extended health coverage due to their respective governments' decisions. The expansion of the scheme includes providing an additional top-up coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh per year for senior citizens aged 70 years and above, whether they are already enrolled in the scheme or not. This additional coverage is separate from the regular coverage provided to younger members of their families.
The AAP's critique of the Ayushman Bharat scheme raises serious concerns about the scheme's accessibility and effectiveness. The party's claims, if substantiated, could have significant implications for the scheme's reach and its ability to achieve its stated goal of providing universal healthcare coverage. The ongoing political debate surrounding the scheme highlights the complexities of implementing such large-scale social welfare programs and the need for robust mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability.
Source: 'Impractical, not for Delhiites', says AAP after PM Modi attacks Delhi govt over Ayushman Bharat