• By Aditya Jha
  • Thu, 28 Nov 2024 02:37 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND

The Delhi High Court on Thursday issued a notice to the Delhi Government for the directions regarding the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. The directions from court came after all seven Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs from Delhi filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking directions for the implementation of the scheme in the national capital. 

The bench, headed by Chief Justice Manmohan, linked the case with other ongoing matters related to the health infrastructure of Delhi, and the next hearing on the matter is scheduled for December 11. The bench on Wednesday criticised the health infrastructure in the state. The bench also pointed out that fewer funds were granted for the betterment of the health facilities for the people. In an oral observation, the bench stated that the health system was insufficient and many of the crucial equipment was not working properly. The court stated that the state needed updated medical equipment and noted that CT scan facilities are nearly unavailable. 

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The plea from the BJP MPs stated that the cost of implementation of the scheme is shared between the Central Government and the State/UT Government. The 60 per cent of the cost is provided by the Central Government, and it's contribution is directly deposited into an escrow account maintained by the State Health Authority (SHA) or UT Health Authority. The plea also stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 29 launched health coverage under AB-PMJAY for all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, irrespective of income.

The implementation of the scheme was to be carried out by state governments and union territories. The MPs stated that the Delhi government was denying the target beneficiaries easy access to the promised Rs five lakh coverage.

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Earlier, on October 29, Prime Minister Modi criticised the opposition-ruling Delhi and West Bengal governments for not implementing the scheme in their states. Modi stated that people of these states were prohibited from the benefits of the scheme because of the political rivalry. "I apologise to all the elderly aged above 70 years of Delhi and West Bengal that I cannot serve them. I would get to know about your pains and sufferings, but I won't be able to help you," Modi stated.