Keeping a key electoral promise, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced on Thursday that her government would implement the Ayushman Bharat healthcare scheme in the national capital. The decision, made after the first Cabinet meeting, aims to extend crucial health insurance benefits to Delhi residents.
Additionally, the Chief Minister declared that 14 pending Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports, allegedly delayed by the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, will be presented in the Assembly.
Ayushman Bharat Implementation in Delhi
Addressing the media post-meeting, Gupta emphasized her commitment to ensuring healthcare access for all.
“During the Cabinet meeting, we took two significant decisions. The Ayushman Bharat Yojana, which was stalled by the previous government, will be implemented in Delhi with an additional top-up of Rs 5 lakh from the state government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the scheme for the entire nation, but due to the AAP government, Delhi residents were deprived of its benefits. We will ensure its swift implementation,” she stated in Hindi.
The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) is India’s flagship health insurance scheme, offering financial protection of up to Rs 5 lakh per family annually for secondary and tertiary hospitalization.
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The additional Rs 5 lakh top-up from the Delhi government will further bolster coverage, potentially providing relief to thousands of residents who previously lacked access to this initiative.
Political Fallout: BJP vs. AAP Over Healthcare
The move is expected to reignite political tensions between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and AAP. The previous Delhi government had repeatedly refused to implement the scheme, citing that Delhi residents already received “superior” benefits under state-run healthcare initiatives. AAP had argued that the scheme used outdated 2011 Census data and failed to account for evolving demographics.
BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj had criticized the AAP government, alleging a lack of political will to implement the scheme. The BJP had actively campaigned on the promise of bringing Ayushman Bharat to Delhi, making its implementation a major post-election milestone for the party.
Pending CAG Reports to Be Tabled
In another crucial announcement, Chief Minister Gupta stated that 14 pending CAG reports, which were not tabled under the previous administration, will now be presented in the Assembly’s first session.
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“There are 14 CAG reports pending, which were not tabled by the previous government. These reports will now be placed before the Assembly. We are committed to transparency and accountability in governance,” she asserted.
CAG reports are crucial in auditing government expenditure and exposing financial irregularities. The decision to table these reports could lead to scrutiny of the AAP government’s financial decisions and spending patterns.
