New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday welcomed the West Bengal government’s decision to implement the Ayushman Bharat scheme, saying the move would ensure better healthcare access for people across the state through coordinated efforts between the Centre and the state administration.
The announcement came a day after the newly formed BJP government in West Bengal confirmed that it would introduce the Centre’s flagship health insurance programme, which provides annual medical coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh for eligible families.
Reacting to the decision, PM Modi said he was pleased that citizens of West Bengal would now benefit from what he described as the world’s largest healthcare scheme, aimed at delivering affordable and quality medical treatment to millions of people.
In a message shared on social media, the Prime Minister stated that the welfare of the people of West Bengal remained a top priority and added that the “double engine” government would ensure smooth implementation of major Central welfare schemes in the state.
The decision was among six major resolutions approved during the first cabinet meeting chaired by newly appointed Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. The government said the measures were intended to bring “Asol Poriborton” or “real change” to West Bengal following the recent Assembly elections.
The BJP formed the government in West Bengal for the first time after registering a decisive victory over the Trinamool Congress in the state polls. The party secured 207 seats in the 294 member Assembly, while the TMC was reduced to 80 seats.
The implementation of Ayushman Bharat is expected to significantly expand healthcare access in the state by enabling eligible households to avail cashless treatment at empanelled hospitals across the country. The scheme has been one of the Centre’s key welfare initiatives aimed at reducing the financial burden of medical expenses on economically vulnerable families.
With the rollout now confirmed, the state government is expected to begin the process of operationalising the programme and identifying beneficiaries in the coming weeks.
