PM slams Delhi, Bengal over ‘political hurdles’ in implementing Ayushman Bharat

Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised the Delhi and West Bengal governments on Tuesday for not implementing the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme, which he described as a “political decision” that leaves elderly citizens in these states unable to access free treatment under the program.
The Prime Minister expressed disappointment, noting that senior citizens aged 70 and above in Delhi and West Bengal were excluded due to “political hurdles,” adding that the governments are “selfish” and “not concerned with humanity.”
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his government’s flagship health insurance scheme, Ayushman Bharat, to all senior citizens aged 70 years and above.
In his speech, PM Modi highlighted his government’s health initiatives, including the establishment of 14,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras, providing affordable medicines that could otherwise cost citizens Rs 30,000 crore.
He underscored the success of Mission Indradhanush, which has been crucial in protecting pregnant women and newborns from severe illnesses through its immunisation programmer, and the launch of over 2 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs for timely diagnoses of cancer and other critical diseases.
The Prime Minister also introduced the U-WIN platform, a new health interface building on India’s digital success with platforms like COWIN and UPI. He spoke of his commitment to expanding healthcare, mentioning the construction of new AIIMS and medical colleges across India, including ESIC hospitals in Meerut and Haryana.
PM Modi noted that India now has 1.08 lakh medical seats, with plans to add 75,000 more to address the healthcare demand.