New Delhi, 27 November (HS). Delhi High Court, while hearing the demand of implementing Ayushman Bharat Yojana, the central government’s health scheme for the elderly living in Delhi, expressed displeasure over the poor health system in Delhi. A bench headed by Chief Justice Manmohan ordered a hearing on the petition of all BJP MPs from Delhi on November 28.
During the hearing today, the court described Delhi’s health system as inadequate. The court said that there is a shortage of medical equipment in the hospitals and the equipment that is there is also not working. CT scan facility is also not sufficient for needy patients. During the hearing, the Delhi government’s lawyer said that he has not been provided a copy of the petition. The court then directed the petitioner and BJP MP from New Delhi, Bansuri Swaraj, to provide a copy of the petition to the Delhi government lawyer. The court ordered the hearing of the case on November 28.
Those who filed the petition include Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva, Union Minister Harsh Malhotra, MP Rambir Singh Vidhuri, MP Bansuri Swaraj, MP Manoj Tiwari, Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Vijendra Gupta and other Delhi MPs. In the petition, the Central Government has sought instructions to implement the scheme of free treatment of up to Rs 5 lakh for elderly people above 70 years of age in Delhi.
It has been said in the petition that this health scheme of the Central Government has not been implemented by the Delhi Government. Aam Aadmi Party convenor Arvind Kejriwal is not allowing the health schemes of the Central Government to be implemented in Delhi for personal interests. The people of Delhi should get the benefits of Ayushman Bharat Scheme. Delhi is the only state where people are not getting the benefits of Ayushman Bharat Scheme. Delhi government has not implemented this scheme. Delhi government agreed to implement Ayushman scheme in 2021 but later refused to do so.
It is noteworthy that on October 29, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the expansion of the Ayushman Bharat scheme to include all elderly people above 70 years of age, but the Prime Minister had expressed concern over the Centre’s scheme not being implemented in Delhi.
