In a significant development, the Supreme Court on Friday stayed the Delhi High Court’s directive that the Delhi government sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for implementing the Ayushman Bharat scheme. This legal battle has emerged amidst growing political tensions between the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Supreme Court’s Intervention
The Delhi High Court had earlier instructed the Delhi government to sign the MoU with the Centre by January 5, 2025, for the implementation of the PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM). In response, the Delhi government filed an appeal, challenging the court’s order. The Supreme Court’s decision to stay the High Court’s directive has led to fresh developments, with political parties weighing in on the matter.
The ruling AAP government in Delhi has faced harsh criticism from the BJP, which has accused them of denying the city’s residents access to better healthcare services. According to the BJP, the AAP government’s refusal to accept Rs.2,400 crore allocated under the Ayushman Bharat scheme is depriving Delhi of crucial medical infrastructure improvements.
BJP’s Criticism of AAP’s Stand
The BJP has been vocal about its discontent with the Delhi government’s stance on Ayushman Bharat. Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva recently alleged that the AAP government blocked the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme for political reasons. He accused the AAP of depriving Delhi residents of better health services by refusing the central government’s assistance, which would have significantly strengthened the city’s medical facilities.
Sachdeva further claimed that despite the imposition of the Model Code of Conduct for the Delhi Assembly polls, the Delhi government could still implement the Ayushman Bharat scheme. He emphasized that the scheme’s benefits were being withheld from the people of Delhi due to the AAP’s refusal to cooperate with the Centre. Sachdeva called on the court to direct the Delhi government to implement the scheme for the welfare of the people.
AAP’s Response and Stand on Ayushman Bharat
On the other hand, the AAP government has countered the BJP’s criticisms, maintaining that they have consistently provided free healthcare services to Delhi residents. AAP leaders argue that the Ayushman Bharat scheme, while beneficial in certain contexts, has restrictive eligibility criteria that could limit access to healthcare for many citizens.
The Delhi government has expressed concerns over the Centre’s approach, particularly regarding the scheme’s limitations on beneficiaries. According to AAP, they have been offering better health services through their own health schemes, including free treatment for all residents at government hospitals.
The Controversy Over Rs.2,400 Crore Allocation
One of the key points of contention between the Delhi government and the BJP is the ₹2,400 crore allocation under the central scheme to strengthen medical infrastructure in the city. The BJP claims that the AAP government turned down this crucial funding, which would have been used to enhance healthcare services and infrastructure across Delhi. This has added fuel to the political fire, with the BJP accusing the AAP of neglecting the health needs of the city’s population for political gain.
Moving Forward
With the Supreme Court’s intervention, the matter now rests in the hands of the judicial system. The stay on the Delhi High Court’s order has bought time for further deliberations on the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat scheme. The political debate surrounding the scheme is likely to continue, with both parties preparing for further action.
The situation reflects the complex dynamics between the central and state governments, particularly when it comes to public health and welfare initiatives. The outcome of this case could have lasting implications not only for healthcare in Delhi but also for the relationship between the AAP-led state government and the BJP-led central government.
As the legal battle unfolds, residents of Delhi remain at the heart of the debate, with both parties claiming to represent their best interests in the ongoing struggle for better healthcare services in the national capital.
