Kejriwal calls Ayushman Bharat India's 'biggest scam'

New Delhi

AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal termed the Ayushman Bharat health scheme as the "biggest scam" in the country. His comments came after the Supreme Court stayed a Delhi High Court order that instructed the Delhi government to sign an agreement with the Centre to implement the scheme in the capital.

Addressing a press conference where he announced AAP's plans for free bus rides for students and a 50% metro ride concession for them, Kejriwal criticized the scheme. He stated, "I am pleased that the Supreme Court has exposed this fake scheme. Ayushman Bharat is the biggest scam in India. When the central government changes and an inquiry is conducted, people will understand the scale of this scam."

The dispute centers around the Delhi government's refusal to sign an agreement with the Union health ministry to implement the PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) in the city. While the scheme is active in 33 states and UTs, the Delhi government had filed a plea in the Supreme Court to challenge the High Court’s December order, which insisted on full implementation of the scheme to ensure Delhi residents benefit from it.