Officials said that the AAP government has changed the name of the scheme.
New Delhi:
The Centre’s decision to stop funds to Punjab for a nationwide health scheme has set up the next big clash between the BJP and Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which rules the state.
Funds given to states under Ayushman Bharat for health wellness centers will not be released to Punjab, top health ministry sources said today, accusing the AAP government of changing the name and branding of the scheme.
Sources said, “Money is given for this scheme. If there is no scheme, there is no money. Punjab has not only changed the branding but has also started calling them mohalla clinics.”
Last week, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said in Parliament that both Punjab and Andhra Pradesh have built health facilities using the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana.
Reportedly, the Union health ministry had recently written to the Punjab government saying that it would be “unfair” to deviate from the terms of the MoU.
In 2018, all states were instructed about the branding, color and coding to be used in the health plan. Sources said that Punjab has failed to comply with the instructions.
Last year, Punjab got Rs 145 crore under this scheme.
The AAP, which came to power in Punjab last year, recently launched 400 more Aam Aadmi clinics in the state, taking the total number of neighborhood clinics to 500.
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