PM Modi Slam Delhi and Bengal For Not Executing Ayushman Bharat Scheme

In an event in Delhi on Tuesday, Prime Minister Modi extended the service of his flagship health scheme, Ayushman Bharat, to people aged 70 and above. He also targeted the governments of West Bengal, Delhi and Odisha for not implementing the scheme in their states.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present in Delhi at the All India Institute Of Ayurveda (AIIA) on Tuesday, where he unveiled multiple projects and schemes in the health sector worth Rs 12,850 crores. One of the announcements was the increment of the age limit on her flagship health insurance scheme, Ayushman Bharat, which provides every citizen with Rs. 5 lakhs for medical needs.

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"People aged above 70 will get free treatment in hospitals; they will be given the Ayushman Vaya Vandana card," he said. He clarified that the scheme applies to senior citizens only if they have the Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card. It will help people over 70 with a monetary help of Rs. 5 Lakh regardless of income.

Post Released By Health Ministry:

Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri - Jan Arogya Yojana 'Vay Vandana Card' launched by Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri @NarendraModi Ji for all Senior Citizens aged 70 years and above.

▶️https://t.co/LIfuvU58vl
📞Call 14555 to know more@PMOIndia @PIB_India @MoHFW_INDIA#AyushmanBharat pic.twitter.com/SG1NdrEsam

— National Health Authority (NHA) (@AyushmanNHA) October 29, 2024

After the announcement, he attacked the opposition in Delhi, Odisha and West Bengal. He said, "I extend my apologies to senior citizens aged 70 and above living in Delhi and West Bengal. Unfortunately, due to the state government's decision not to participate in the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, I will be unable to assist." He claimed that the state governments have not implemented this scheme because of their political intentions.

However, the West Bengal Government already has a health insurance scheme of its own, called the Swasthya Sathi, which started 2 years before the Ayushman Bharat scheme. Swaasthya Sathi is a state government-funded health insurance scheme for the people of West Bengal. It is a paperless and cashless initiative that has proven successful for West Bengal. Many are coming forward on social media, accusing PM Modi of spreading fake news and propaganda to incite distrust towards the state government.

 In his speech, PM Modi claimed to have benefited over five crore people with this scheme.