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What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court expressed dismay on Wednesday over the Delhi government’s decision to reject financial aid under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), which provides up to Rs 5 lakh in health coverage for underprivileged citizens. A bench consisting of Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela called the refusal “strange,” especially given the city’s ongoing healthcare challenges and financial constraints.
“You may have differences of opinion, but you are refusing aid. None of your machines are functioning, and you don’t have the funds to fix them,” remarked Chief Justice Manmohan, highlighting the critical need for the scheme in a city grappling with inadequate healthcare infrastructure.
The case arose from a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by seven BJP MPs, who sought the implementation of the AB-PMJAY scheme in Delhi. The petitioners argued that Delhi was the only Union Territory (UT) not availing the health coverage, forcing residents to pay significant out-of-pocket expenses for medical treatment.
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The Chief Justice voiced his frustration with the government’s refusal to accept the scheme’s financial aid. “I am shocked. You are refusing Rs 5 lakh for citizens in need while being virtually bankrupt. Your health minister and health secretary are not even communicating,” he added. The court pointed out the delays in hospital construction due to financial constraints, exacerbating the crisis.
The petitioners accused the Delhi government of placing political conflicts above the welfare of its residents, stating, “Clash of political ideologies must take a back seat for the welfare of residents.” The plea emphasized that 33 out of 36 states and UTs in India had successfully implemented AB-PMJAY, making Delhi’s refusal “arbitrary and unreasonable.”
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Additionally, the plea referred to a 2020-21 budget speech by Manish Sisodia, the Delhi Deputy Chief Minister, where he had committed to the scheme’s implementation.
In response, the government’s counsel argued that the petition appeared “misconceived” and requested time to review it. The court adjourned the matter to November 28.
