Prime Minister Modi Apologizes to the Elderly in Delhi and Bengal for Exclusion from the Ayushman Bharat Scheme
New Delhi, 29th October 2024: On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed regret to senior citizens in Delhi and West Bengal for their inability to access the Ayushman Bharat scheme, criticizing the local governments for political obstruction. He stated that elderly residents in these regions would not benefit from the healthcare initiative due to a lack of implementation by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in Bengal.
During a program aimed at expanding the Ayushman Bharat scheme, PM Modi announced that all citizens aged 70 and above would receive free hospital treatment and be issued the ‘Ayushman Vaya Vandana’ card. He specifically addressed the elderly, saying, “I apologize to those over 70 in Delhi and West Bengal that I cannot serve you due to your governments not participating in this program.”
Modi condemned the political motives behind the decision not to implement the scheme, labelling it as an inhumane act against vulnerable populations. He emphasized that while he wished to assist the elderly, political barriers prevented him from doing so.
The announcement came on the ninth Ayurveda Day, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Dhanvantari, the deity associated with medicine.
In response to the Prime Minister’s comments, AAP officials defended their position, stating that the Ayushman Bharat scheme would not benefit “a single resident” of Delhi because of its stringent eligibility criteria. AAP leader Sanjay Singh highlighted that individuals with assets like refrigerators or motorcycles, or those earning above ₹10,000, would be excluded from the scheme. He further claimed that the program is riddled with fraud, particularly in BJP-led states, and called for an investigation into the situation in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
