AAP attacks BJP, says scrapping ‘Farishtey’ scheme ‘inhumane’
AAP’s Delhi convener Saurabh Bharadwaj on Sunday called the BJP’s decision to scrap the ‘Farishtey’ scheme “monstrous” and “inhumane.”
He accused the BJP of giving public welfare last priority. Bharadwaj said: “Scrapping a scheme that has saved thousands of lives is unimaginable.”
The ‘Farishtey’ scheme was introduced in 2017 to ensure that road accident victims received immediate and free medical treatment at private hospitals, with the Delhi government covering all expenses. According to Bharadwaj, nearly 10,000 accident victims benefitted from the scheme by 2021.
He said, “A few years ago, an accident victim was taken to multiple hospitals — two under the Delhi Government and two under the Central Government — but was repeatedly denied treatment. He succumbed to his injuries. The case went to the High Court, which gave several directions on the matter. To prevent such tragedies, we launched the ‘Farishtey’ scheme,” he said.
Bharadwaj alleged that the BJP had been trying to shut down the scheme even when AAP was in power. “In 2023, as Health Minister, I wrote to the Lieutenant-Governor (L-G) warning that officials under his administration were withholding funds and conspiring to shut down the scheme, forcing AAP to seek Supreme Court intervention,” he claimed.
According to Bharadwaj, the Supreme Court intervened and the L-G’s administration released the necessary funds. “The BJP has always wanted to end this scheme. Earlier, they tried it through the L-G. Now, that they are in power, they have scrapped it outright,” he said. “People used to hesitate in helping accident victims, fearing police inquiries and hospital expenses. Under our scheme, not only was the full treatment cost covered by the government, but the good samaritans were also rewarded with an honorarium and a certificate,” Bharadwaj added.
He warned that the decision to end the scheme would have dire consequences.
