• Nisha Pandit
    • Content Specialists
    • Medical
    • 14 January 2025
    • Reading : 5 min
Delhi Govt Opposes PM JAY, Defends Arogya Kosh as Superior Scheme

The Delhi government recently responded before the Delhi High Court, opposing the implementation of Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY. It argued that the Delhi Arogya Kosh (DAK) scheme, already in place, is a "far more robust program."

In its reply, the Delhi government stated that the AB-PMJAY scheme would benefit only about 12% to 15% of the city's population, making its impact limited. In contrast, the DAK scheme, offered by the Delhi Government, has a "broader and more far-reaching effect."

The Delhi government also emphasized that it introduced the Delhi Arogya Kosh (DAK) scheme in a transparent manner. The scheme offers a more robust solution for providing medical treatment, free of cost, to Delhi citizens at any of the empaneled private hospitals in the Delhi-NCR region. The government introduced the DAK scheme with the larger public interest in mind, ensuring every citizen has the right to healthcare.

Recently, the Delhi High Court issued a notice to the Delhi Government regarding a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by all seven BJP MPs from Delhi. The petition sought directions for implementing the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) in the National Capital Territory of Delhi.

Senior Advocate Bansuri Swaraj, representing all petitioner MPs, argued that the scheme has not been implemented in Delhi, denying target beneficiaries access to the promised Rs 5 lakh coverage. This coverage is meant to protect individuals from catastrophic expenses related to secondary and tertiary care hospitalization at a wide network of empaneled public and private hospitals.

Earlier, the bench criticized the Delhi government for its inadequate health infrastructure and the lack of funds to improve it. The Court made oral observations, stating that the health system is insufficient and not functioning properly. It highlighted the lack of updated medical equipment, with many devices not working, and noted that CT scan facilities for needy patients are nearly unavailable.

The petition stated that AB-PMJAY is a centrally sponsored scheme, with the cost of implementation, including administrative expenses, shared between the Central Government and the State/UT Government, as per the Ministry of Finance’s directives. Under the current arrangement, the cost-sharing ratio is 60:40 for Union Territories with a legislature, with 40% of the cost borne by the respective Union Territories. The central government deposits its contribution directly into an escrow account maintained by the State Health Authority (SHA) or UT Health Authority. The joint contribution is then used by the SHA to settle approved claims.

The petition also mentioned that on October 29, 2024, the Prime Minister launched health coverage under AB-PMJAY for all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, irrespective of income. State governments and union territories are to carry out its implementation.

The petitioners, seven elected representatives from the NCT of Delhi in the 17th Lok Sabha, are advocating for the beneficiaries of AB-PMJAY in the region. The petition highlights that the Delhi government promised in the 2020-2021 Budget Speech to implement AB-PMJAY. However, the petitioners argue that the government's failure to take necessary actions has made this promise ineffective. They claim this inaction violates Articles 14 (Right to Equality) and 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty) of the Constitution of India.

The petition further pointed out that the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), launched on September 23, 2018, as part of the Central Government's Ayushman Bharat Scheme, is the world's largest health assurance initiative. It provides health coverage of Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization through a network of empanelled health care providers (EHCP). The scheme targets vulnerable households and families.

As of October 2024, thirty-three states and union territories (UTs) have implemented AB-PMJAY, with Odisha considering its adoption as of September 2024. However, the NCT of Delhi remains the only Union Territory where this essential healthcare scheme has not been implemented, depriving underprivileged beneficiaries in Delhi of access to this vital health coverage. (ANI)

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