Union Minister JP Nadda Criticizes Punjab Government Over Ayushman Bharat Dues
New Delhi [India], September 20: Union Health Minister JP Nadda criticized the Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, for not settling Ayushman Bharat dues. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab has been under severe financial stress since 2023, with rising state debt and depleting revenues.
Nadda stated, “Ayushman Bharat was conceptualized to aid economically backward families with ensured medical cover, and today, due to the mismanagement of the state government, people have lost access to free healthcare.”
He questioned Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, asking why the government has not cleared the dues of private hospitals. Nadda urged the Punjab Chief Minister to clear the dues as soon as possible, emphasizing the importance of the Ayushman Bharat program for many families, especially farmers.
The Private Hospital and Nursing Home Association (PHANA) in Punjab has declared a halt to cashless treatments under the government’s health insurance schemes, including the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), due to unpaid debts amounting to Rs 600 crores. PHANA stated that private healthcare facilities across Punjab will only participate in these schemes once the state government clears the outstanding dues.
Doubts Revealed
Union Minister -: A Union Minister is a person who is in charge of a specific department in the central government of India. They help make important decisions for the country.
JP Nadda -: JP Nadda is a politician in India who is currently the Union Health Minister. He looks after health-related matters for the whole country.
Punjab Government -: The Punjab Government is the group of people who manage the state of Punjab in India. They make decisions and run the state.
Ayushman Bharat -: Ayushman Bharat is a health insurance scheme by the Indian government. It helps poor families get free medical treatment.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann -: Bhagwant Mann is the Chief Minister of Punjab. He is the head of the state government and makes important decisions for Punjab.
Private Hospital and Nursing Home Association (PHANA) -: PHANA is a group of private hospitals and nursing homes. They work together to provide healthcare services.
Cashless treatments -: Cashless treatments mean patients do not have to pay money upfront for medical services. The insurance or government pays the hospital directly.
Rs 600 crores -: Rs 600 crores is a large amount of money. In Indian currency, 1 crore equals 10 million, so 600 crores is 6 billion rupees.