Ayushman Bharat scheme is just talk: Satyendra Jain
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Cabinet Minister in the Delhi government, Satyendra Jain, said that they want people to vote based on AAP's performance in the upcoming state elections and not politics. In an interview with Aaisha Sabir of the Millennium Post, Jain said that the "Ayushman Bharat Yojana" is just talk, the stringent eligibility criteria prevent people from availing the benefits listed under it. The Delhi government's similar scheme — Delhi Arogya Kosh (DAK) — is far more inclusive. Excerpts:
Why should people vote for you?
See it is simple, if you vote for someone for political reasons then you will get only politics and nothing more, however, if you vote for someone who has worked well in different fields then you will get only good work instead of false assurances. So vote for a political party that does not play on peoples sentiments but works for their development.
Talking about work, in the healthcare sector what do you have to say about the Ayushman Bharat Yojana?
Ayushman Bharat Yojana is just talk. The eligibility criteria of this scheme is very stringent, if you have a family income of Rs 10,000 then you cannot avail it. If you have a two wheeler then you cannot access it, if you have a fridge or a landline then you do not come under the ambit of the Ayushman Bharat scheme. After all these filtering the number of people who are eligible are very less in Delhi. On the other hand the Delhi government's counterpart scheme (DAK) is more widespread and easily acceptable for all. We believe that healthcare should be for everyone. If you need to undergo any operation then it is free for every Delhiites in government hospitals, furthermore, the same benefits can be availed in private hospitals also.
Is it a mere coincidence that you are working at such quick pace just before the polls?
Yes, people do ask us the same thing, well, we were in first gear then, but now we have shifted gears, we are now working on war footing.
The Opposition has often criticised the AAP on giving out freebies to public, what's your comment?
If they (the lawmakers) can have 4000 units free, and if their driver gets 200 units free then it seems alright to them. 4000 units free is also a freebie but they do not have any problem with that. If the Gujarat Chief Minister can purchase a Jet plane by spending Rs 191 crore then if women in Delhi get free bus ride then what is the issue? If they waste public money then it is okay, but if the same is utilised to serve the people than you complain!
