HC notice to Delhi Govt on PIL seeking to implement Ayushman Bharat scheme

The Delhi High Court on Thursday issued notices to the Delhi government, health department, Delhi Lieutenant Governor and the Center on a public interest litigation seeking implementation of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana in the National Capital Territory of Delhi. The Supreme Court tagged the petition along with similar health-related issues related to the National Capital Region and listed it for hearing on December 11.

Chief Justice Manmohan on Wednesday had taken the Delhi government to court for not accepting the Centre’s plan.

“I deal with healthcare infrastructure and hospitals (cases in the Supreme Court) and it’s a mess. I am surprised that they (Delhi government) did not accept the Centre’s help, the money. Every day we are told that it (Delhi government) has no money. And today you are denying Rs 5 lakh to citizens. I was shocked. I clearly say that we are almost incapable of declaring bankruptcy (of Delhi’s health department) in court. Your Minister of Health and your Minister of Health do not talk to each other. In such a mess, you do not accept central help, your machines do not work,” the Chief Justice had said.

Delhi government lawyer Santosh Kumar Tripathi on Wednesday said the petition was “misunderstood”. Tripathi opposed the Supreme Court issuing a notice and sought time to respond to the allegations.

Accordingly, the court sought the response of the Delhi government. However, the Delhi government’s lawyer on Thursday said the court may proceed by issuing a notice in the case.

The petition was filed by Harsh Malhotra, BJP Member of Parliament from East Delhi, and six other BJP leaders. It was stated that as of October, 33 states and union territories have implemented Ayushman Bharat, which was launched in September 2019.

However, Delhi remains the only union territory where this “necessary, noble and beneficial healthcare scheme” has not been implemented. This uniquely deprives privileged beneficiaries of basic health coverage, the petition stated.

The petition stated that in the 2020-22 Budget speech by the then state Finance Minister Manish Sisodia, the Delhi government had announced its commitment to implement the Ayushman Bharat scheme. The petition stated that the above-mentioned clear and unequivocal commitment, which forms part of the Delhi budget, is a promise made by the government to the residents.

Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana was launched as a part of the central government’s Ayushman Bharat scheme. The health assurance scheme provides cover of 5 lakh rupees per family per year for secondary and tertiary hospitalization through a network of empaneled healthcare providers.

In September, the Union Cabinet approved extension of insurance coverage benefits worth Rs 5 lakh for all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, irrespective of their socio-economic status. Within the scope of the program, senior citizens will be given a unique card. Additionally, persons aged 70 years and above who are part of families already covered by the scheme will get an additional top-up cover of up to Rs 5 lakh per annum for their individual use only. The new benefit, which covers senior citizens aged 70 years and above, was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 29.