Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has responded sharply to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s criticism over the non-implementation of the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme in Delhi. Modi had recently expressed disappointment with the absence of the scheme in both Delhi and West Bengal, attributing it to “political interests,” and apologized to elderly citizens impacted by the lack of free healthcare in these states.
In his rebuttal, Kejriwal accused Modi of politicizing healthcare, arguing that such issues should not be used for political gain. Highlighting Delhi’s healthcare model, Kejriwal said every resident in the capital is entitled to free medical treatment—whether it’s a simple medicine or a costly surgery. He further suggested that Modi replace the Ayushman Bharat scheme with Delhi’s healthcare model nationwide for better results.
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Kejriwal also pointed to reports from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), alleging irregularities in the implementation of Ayushman Bharat. He claimed to have not met a single beneficiary of the scheme and offered to share a list of beneficiaries from Delhi’s programs to demonstrate its success.
Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj added that Ayushman Bharat has failed to provide adequate healthcare. He argued that patients from other states where the scheme is operational often visit Delhi for treatments, indicating the inadequacy of healthcare in BJP-ruled regions. AAP MP Sanjay Singh also criticized the scheme as impractical, citing eligibility restrictions that exclude many in need.
The exchange reflects the ongoing political friction between state and central governments over public healthcare policies, with both sides championing their respective models as superior solutions for citizens’ health needs.
(By Ankita Singh, Web Team at C6N)
