Ayushman cover may finally be extended to Delhi

NEW DELHI: Ayushman Bharat-PM Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), a flagship health scheme of BJP-led Centre, may finally be made available in Delhi.

AAP, which was in power earlier, had vehemently opposed its implementation saying that the state's own scheme - Delhi Arogya Kosh - was far more robust than the central scheme.

BJP had promised in the run up to the elections that if voted to power it will implement AB-PMJAY which provides health cover of Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation to 55 crore individuals, corresponding to 12.34 crore poor and vulnerable families. Recently, the Union cabinet approved expansion of these schemes to provide health coverage to all senior citizens aged 70 years and above irrespective of income.

The non-implementation of AB-PMJAY was a key issue in the run up to the elections, with several senior ministers of the BJP-led Centre criticising AAP over it. All seven Delhi BJP MPs had also filed a PIL in Delhi High Court seeking implementation of the central scheme.

The AAP govt opposed the demand in court also saying it provided a superior healthcare policy and top tier govt hospital infrastructure to its citizens.

On Saturday, senior BJP leaders said that now that the party has secured the mandate to govern Delhi it would ensure implementation of AB-PMJAY at the earliest.


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