L-G recalls files on Ayushman Bharat facilities to disadvantaged groups

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 25

Lieutenant-Governor (L-G) VK Saxena on Sunday ordered the retrieval of files pertaining to disadvantaged groups unable to access the benefits of the Ayushman Bharat health scheme. Saxena emphasised that he had received numerous requests and representations from disadvantaged groups due to the scheme’s non-implementation in Delhi, attributed to the intransigence of the AAP government.

Invoking Rule 19(5) of the Transaction of Business Rules (ToBR), the L-G directed Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to promptly implement the scheme for the benefit of the poorest of the poor. Officials at the L-G office stated, “Saxena, in disposing of the file, highlighted that although the government had announced it in the 2020 budget, it had been stalled for mere political reasons. He also pointed out that the waiting list for the issuance of ration cards to deserving beneficiaries includes applicants who have been waiting since 2018.”

Saxena underscored the state of public health and government hospitals in Delhi, citing recent observations by the High Court in an ongoing matter and affidavits submitted by the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, which evidently highlight significant deficiencies.

In his note, the L-G emphasised that successive health ministers since 2018 — Satyendar Jain, Manish Sisodia and Saurabh Bhardwaj — had, on six occasions, delayed the file on flimsy political pretexts, despite the Government of India clarifying that “Ayushman Bharat” could be appended with any name desired by the GNCTD.

Mindless politicking

I am constrained to underline that an issue as important as the very health of our people seems to have fallen prey to mindless politicking aimed only at one-upmanship and credit grabbing. — VK Saxena, Lieutenant-Governor

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