PM Modi takes a jibe at Delhi, Bengal govts over Ayushman Bharat: ‘Prevented from serving older people because of politics’

PM Slams Delhi Bengal: As a symbolic gesture to launch the expanded Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) health insurance scheme, PM Modi distributed the 'Ayushman Vyay Card' to four beneficiaries, accuses state governments of creating political hurdles

Written by Anonna Dutt

New Delhi | Updated: October 29, 2024 04:56 PM IST

4 min read

Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticises Delhi, West Bengal governments: Under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) health insurance scheme, Individuals aged 70 or older will be entitled to an annual coverage of Rs 5 lakh, regardless of their income status. (PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticises Delhi, West Bengal governments: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the expanded Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) to cover everyone aged 70 years and above on Tuesday, saying he fulfilled his “guarantee” on the occasion of Dhanvantri Jayanti. With Delhi and West Bengal still remaining outside the health coverage scheme, the prime minister apologised to older people in these two states for being unable to help them.

He said, “I apologise to the people over 70 years from Delhi and West Bengal that I will not be able to serve you. I apologise because I will come to know that you are suffering — I will get the information — but I will not be able to help you. The reason is that the Delhi and West Bengal governments are not joining the Ayushman Bharat scheme… I am prevented from serving older people of Delhi and West Bengal because of politics — the Delhi that I am speaking from… I am pained.”

Delhi and West Bengal are ruled by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Trinamool Congress (TMC), respectively. Odisha, the third state to not join the scheme, is now in conversation with the Centre about implementing it.

As a symbolic gesture to launch the expanded Ayushman Bharat insurance scheme, the PM distributed the ‘Ayushman Vyay Card’ to four beneficiaries. This card will be given to all beneficiaries over 70, including those who are already enrolled in the scheme according to their economic status.

Also Read | PM rolls out Ayushman Bharat for 70-plus citizens: Here’s all you need to know

Individuals aged 70 or older will be entitled to an annual coverage of Rs 5 lakh, regardless of their income status. This Rs 5 lakh coverage will be shared among all elderly members of a family. For instance, if there are two elderly beneficiaries in the household, the coverage will be divided between them. Members aged 70 years and older in families already covered based on their economic status will receive a top-up cover of Rs 5 lakh, exclusively for elderly care. The scheme will cover almost 6 crore individuals from 4.5 crore families. Of them, 1.78 crore are already covered by the scheme.

PM Modi said the scheme, which served the poorest 40 per cent of the country so far, has already benefitted 4 crore people. It has saved 1.25 crore in out-of-pocket spending, he said. He said the government has prioritised providing health services free or at affordable costs to the poor and the middle class. The Jan Aushadhi Kendra, which provides medicines at discounts of up to 80 per cent, has already saved Rs 30,000 crore for the people, Modi said.

The PM said reducing the prices of stents and knee implants has saved Rs 80,000 crore, and free dialysis has saved lakhs of rupees for thousands of people.

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On the occasion of Dhanvantri Jayanti at the All India Institute of Ayurveda, PM Modi also spoke of the world’s increasing attraction to Ayurveda and India’s increasing role in medical and wellness tourism.

He said the value of the market can be increased severalfold by gathering evidence. He also said people can already see the results, but now there is a need to generate evidence to support them, adding that the All India Institute of Ayurveda is playing an important role in this.

He also inaugurated several projects, including new nursing colleges and new facilities in several medical colleges.

Anonna Dutt

Anonna Dutt is a Principal Correspondent who writes primarily on health at the Indian Express. She reports on myriad topics ranging from the growing burden of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension to the problems with pervasive infectious conditions. She reported on the government’s management of the Covid-19 pandemic and closely followed the vaccination programme. Her stories have resulted in the city government investing in high-end tests for the poor and acknowledging errors in their official reports. Dutt also takes a keen interest in the country’s space programme and has written on key missions like Chandrayaan 2 and 3, Aditya L1, and Gaganyaan. She was among the first batch of eleven media fellows with RBM Partnership to End Malaria. She was also selected to participate in the short-term programme on early childhood reporting at Columbia University’s Dart Centre. Dutt has a Bachelor’s Degree from the Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune and a PG Diploma from the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. She started her reporting career with the Hindustan Times. When not at work, she tries to appease the Duolingo owl with her French skills and sometimes takes to the dance floor. ... Read More

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