Punjab Accuses Centre of Discrimination Over Healthcare Funds

The AAP in Punjab has accused the BJP-led central government of discriminating against the state by withholding significant funds under various schemes, including the Ayushman Bharat scheme and National Health Mission. Due to mounting dues, private hospitals in Punjab have stopped offering cashless treatments to Ayushman Bharat cardholders.

The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab, on Saturday, accused the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre of discriminatory practices against the state. This followed Union Health Minister J P Nadda's request for Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to settle outstanding dues of private hospitals under the Ayushman Bharat scheme.

Private hospitals in Punjab have ceased providing cashless treatment to Ayushman Bharat cardholders due to unpaid dues from the state government. AAP Punjab unit's chief spokesperson and MP, Malvinder Singh Kang, highlighted that the Centre owes Rs 220 crore out of the total Rs 376 crore due under the scheme.

Kang further claimed that the central government is holding back Rs 950 crore of Punjab's share under the National Health Mission (NHM) and other funds, totaling over Rs 8,000 crore. He criticized the Modi government for allegedly sabotaging the 'mandi' system and limiting the state's power corporation's debt capacity.

(With inputs from agencies.)