Union Health Minister and BJP National President Jagat Prakash Nadda expressed strong disappointment on Thursday over the West Bengal government's continued rejection of the Centre's flagship Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme. During a meeting with doctors in Kolkata, Nadda stated that the people of Bengal were being deprived of crucial healthcare benefits due to the state's stance.
Allegations of Card Destruction and Deprivation
Nadda, while asserting he did not wish to politicise the issue, made a serious allegation. He claimed that Ayushman Bharat cards, which he had issued as Health Minister, were torn and thrown into drains in West Bengal. "I am sorry to say that people of Bengal are being deprived of the Ayushman facilities," he lamented. The minister emphasised the scheme's portability, explaining that a beneficiary from Bengal working in Himachal Pradesh could use the card there, but this advantage was lost for Bengal's residents.
Financial Outlay and Repeated Appeals
The senior BJP leader provided significant figures to underline the scheme's scale. He disclosed that the Central government has spent a substantial Rs 1.4 lakh crore under Ayushman Bharat to support treatment for poor families across India. Nadda revealed that he had personally and repeatedly requested West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to allow the scheme's rollout in the state. "I told Mamataji that the poor will benefit... But I could not convince Mamata Didi," he stated.
A Comprehensive Policy and Future Hope
Nadda elaborated on the scheme's design, calling it an inclusive and comprehensive health policy formulated in 2017 after nationwide discussions. He highlighted that it covers not just curative care but also preventive, palliative, and geriatric aspects. Furthermore, he pointed out that 1.8 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs have been established nationally, each serving 3,000-4,000 people and certified under National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS).
Drawing a parallel, Nadda mentioned that the governments of Odisha and Delhi had also initially opposed Ayushman Bharat. "However, there is one ray of hope. In both Odisha and New Delhi, the BJP came to power and implemented Ayushman Bharat," he said. Expressing political confidence, Nadda added, "I am sure the BJP will be voted to office, and Ayushman Bharat will be offered in Bengal." This statement directly links the scheme's implementation in the state to a potential change in the political landscape.
