Odisha BJP MPs Request CM To Implement Ayushman Bharat

Bhubaneswar: BJP MPs from Odisha, including Union Minister Pratap Chandra Sarangi, have requested Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to adopt the Centre’s flagship healthcare programme, Ayushman Bharat.

In a letter signed by 12 party MPs, the lawmakers said the programme will benefit about 60 lakh people in the state. They maintained that the Odisha government will not face any financial problem in implementing the scheme as their collective efforts will ensure its funding.

“To keep the spirit of our co-operative federalism at the helm of the democracy, we feel privileged to request you to adopt and implement Ayushaman Bharat across Odisha thereby helping India progressively achieve universal health coverage and strengthening our commitment towards a healthy India,” the MPs said.

Odisha is among a handful of states, which have not adopted the programme so far.

The BJP-led government at the Centre had made it a big issue during the polls in April and May. However, the government appears to be doing a rethink about shying away from its implementation.

Recently, State Health Minister Naba Kishore Das and Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi had a meeting with CEO of Ayushman Bharat Indu Bhushan.

Referring to this development, the MPs hoped the State Government will take a positive step.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited the state five times in the past nine months and never missed an opportunity to request Navee’s support in enrolling Odisha for the implementation of the scheme, they added.