AAP more interested in liquor sales than health of citizens: Mandaviya on Delhi govt rejecting seniors’ health insurance scheme

Union Minister of Labour and Employment Mansukh Mandaviya addresses a press conference in New Delhi. File
| Photo Credit: ANI

Former Union Health Minister and current Minister of Labour and Employment Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday (December 2, 2024) said that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi is not allowing people from the EWS category or those aged 70 and above to the benefit from the Central government’s Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme.

“AAP is more interested in liquor sales than the health of Delhi’s citizens,” said the Minister while stating making accessible and affordable health service available for Delhi’s people is more important than engaging in politics.

He added that the Health Ministry has written several times to the Delhi Government asking it to join the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). 

AB-PMJAY is a health insurance scheme that provides financial protection for secondary and tertiary healthcare to economically vulnerable families in India.

The Minister said this in response to a question on the Delhi High Court seeking AAP government’s stand on a plea by Delhi’s BJP MPs wanting implementation of the Scheme.

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, the Minister said that it was unfortunate that States like Delhi and West Bengal are not implementing the scheme even after repeated requests by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and letters from the Centre.

“There could be political differences but public welfare works must be prioritised in India’s federal democratic set up for the welfare of all,” he said.

The Centre has also recently expanded health coverage for all aged 70 years and above irrespective of their income status under AB-PMJAY.

The Minister also spoke about the Punjab government branding the Ayushman Bharat-Health and Wellness Center (now, Ayushman Arogya Mandir) as Aam Aadmi Clinics (PHC-HWC) instead of using the original name.

“The Punjab Government has now given us in writing that they will reverse the name. The earlier step was a breach of agreement with the Union Health Ministry where the Centre is giving 60% of the funding. The State will also be adhering to the required colour scheme and display the mandated logos,” said the Minister.

Speaking about the various schemes under AB-PAY the Minister said that while there is no move to increase the insurance limit of ₹5 lakh for treatment the health services are constantly monitored to weed out any over-charging and waste. “During my tenure, we realised that private sector was conducting caesarean in 57% of its patients under the scheme. This number was found to be very high and now C-section has been removed from the services offered,” said the Minister.