HC Issues Notice to Delhi Govt on Ayushman Bharat Scheme Implementation: BJP MPs

The MPs expressed hope that this step will pave the way for the scheme's implementation, which has been delayed for years.

Delhi BJP MPs have announced that the Delhi High Court has issued a notice to the state government regarding the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat Scheme in the national capital.

The MPs expressed hope that this step will pave the way for the scheme's implementation, which has been delayed for years.

The BJP leaders including Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, Bansuri Swaraj, Yogendra Chandolia, Kamaljeet Sehrawat, and Praveen Khandelwal, highlighted that during the Lok Sabha elections, the party had committed in its manifesto to bring the Ayushman Bharat Scheme to Delhi.

According to the state unit, a petition filed by the BJP MPs is now under consideration by the court.

Leader of the Opposition in the Delhi Assembly, Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, recalled that former Delhi Minister Manish Sisodia had previously assured the Assembly that the scheme would be introduced in Delhi.

However, no progress has been made so far. Bidhuri alleged that political animosity had hindered the implementation of the scheme and stated that BJP MLAs had consistently raised this issue in the Assembly.

Bidhuri revealed that following the elections, all seven BJP MPs from Delhi approached the High Court. "The court has now issued a notice to the Delhi government," he said, adding that the BJP will launch a signature campaign from December 1 to December 7 to garner public support for the scheme.

The campaign will focus on collecting signatures from senior citizens through door-to-door visits and camps in various wards.

He further reiterated that if the BJP forms the government in Delhi after the upcoming elections, the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat Scheme will be prioritized in the first cabinet meeting.

BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj, representing the party in the case, noted that the court has scheduled the next hearing for December 11. Swaraj emphasized the court’s concern over the state of healthcare in Delhi and questioned why the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led government has not implemented the scheme despite available financial assistance from the Center.

Swaraj also recalled that in March 2024, then Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya had assured that the central government was prepared to provide INR 47 Cr annually to Delhi for the scheme's rollout.

She further urged Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to set aside political differences and prioritize the well-being of Delhi residents by implementing Ayushman Bharat.