Delhi BJP MPs Push for Ayushman Bharat Scheme Implementation
In New Delhi, all seven BJP Members of Parliament (MPs) have approached the Delhi High Court. They are requesting the court to instruct the Government of the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi and the Department of Health and Family Welfare to implement the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) in Delhi.
The MPs, who are elected representatives from Delhi to the 17th Lok Sabha, are advocating for the residents of Delhi to receive healthcare benefits under the AB-PMJAY, similar to other Union Territories and States. They argue that the Delhi Government had promised to implement this scheme in the 2020-2021 Budget Speech but has not taken the necessary steps, which they claim violates Articles 14 and 21 of the Indian Constitution.
The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, launched on September 23, 2018, is the world’s largest health assurance initiative, providing Rs 5 lakh per family per year for hospitalization. As of October 2024, 33 States and Union Territories have implemented the scheme, but Delhi remains the only Union Territory without it, leaving many underprivileged residents without essential health coverage.
Doubts Revealed
BJP -: BJP stands for Bharatiya Janata Party, which is one of the major political parties in India. It is known for its nationalist policies and is currently the ruling party in India.
MPs -: MPs are Members of Parliament. They are elected representatives who make laws and decisions for the country. In this context, they are from the BJP party.
Delhi High Court -: The Delhi High Court is a court in India that deals with legal cases in the Delhi region. It is one of the higher courts in the country where important legal matters are decided.
Ayushman Bharat Scheme -: The Ayushman Bharat Scheme is a health insurance program by the Indian government. It provides financial help for medical treatments to poor families, covering up to Rs 5 lakh per family each year.
Constitutional rights -: Constitutional rights are the basic rights given to all citizens by the Indian Constitution. These include rights like the right to equality, freedom, and protection of life and personal liberty.
Union Territories -: Union Territories are regions in India that are directly governed by the Central Government. They are different from states, which have their own governments.
