Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Friday criticized the Ayushman Bharat health scheme, calling it the “biggest scam” in the country. His comments came after the Supreme Court stayed a Delhi High Court order that had directed the Delhi government to sign an agreement with the Centre for the scheme’s implementation in the national capital.
Kejriwal expressed his satisfaction with the Supreme Court’s decision, calling it confirmation of his stance that the scheme is a “fake” initiative. “Ayushman Bharat is the biggest scam in the country. When the central government changes and an inquiry is conducted, people will realize the scale of this scam,” Kejriwal said during a press conference.
What Did the Supreme Court Say?
Earlier on Friday, the Supreme Court bench, led by Justices BR Gavai and Augustine George Masih, issued a stay on the Delhi High Court’s December 24, 2024, order that had mandated the Delhi government to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Union health ministry by January 5, 2025. This MoU was crucial for the implementation of the PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) in Delhi.
The bench also issued notices to the Centre and other involved parties, seeking their responses on a plea filed by the Delhi government challenging the high court’s directive. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing the Delhi government, questioned the high court’s authority to compel the Delhi government to sign the MoU on a policy matter. “How can the high court force the Delhi government to sign an MoU with the Central government?” Singhvi asked during the proceedings.
The Delhi government’s plea was filed by advocate Talha Abdul Rahman. The High Court’s December order had cited a meeting held earlier that month, which discussed the implementation of PM-ABHIM to ensure that Delhi residents did not miss out on the benefits and funds allocated under the scheme. The court emphasized that the non-implementation of the program in Delhi, while 33 states and union territories had already adopted it, would not be justifiable.
With the Supreme Court’s stay, the matter is now set for further hearings, leaving the future of the scheme’s implementation in Delhi uncertain for the time being.
