SC stays Delhi HC order on Ayushman Bharat scheme

The Supreme Court on Friday stayed a Delhi High Court’s order requiring the Delhi Government to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Union Health Ministry by January 5 to implement the PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM).

A Bench of Justices BR Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih issued notices to the Centre and others, asking them to respond to a petition filed by the Delhi Government against the December 24, 2024, direction of the high court.

Ayushman Bharat biggest scam in country: AAP supremo

I am glad the Supreme Court has confirmed that Ayushman Bharat is a fake scheme. It is the biggest scam in the country. When the Central Government changes and an inquiry is conducted, people will realise just how massive this scam truly is. — Arvind Kejriwal, AAP supremo

The order came after senior advocate AM Singhvi submitted on behalf of the Delhi Government that the high court could not force the NCT Government to sign the MoU with the Central Government."How can the high court force me (Delhi Government) on a policy matter to sign an MoU with the Central government?" Singhvi wondered.

The high court had passed the order in a suo motu PIL initiated in 2017 on the availability of the ICU beds and ventilator facilities in government hospitals in the national capital. The non-implementation of the PM-ABHIM Scheme in Delhi, when 33 states/UTs had already implemented it, would not be justified, it had noted.

The high court had referred to the minutes of the meeting held in December 2024 and noted that the PM-ABHIM would have to be implemented in its entirety to ensure Delhi residents were not deprived of the funds and facilities under it.

Questioning the high court for forcing the Delhi Government to sign the MoU - a policy decision - highlighting that if signed, the Government of India will bear 60% of the capital expenditure (and Delhi government 40%) but 0% running expenditure. The reach and coverage of Delhi Government's own scheme is much larger, he contended.