Odisha shouldn't oppose Ayushman Bharat for mere politics: Pradhan
Bhubaneswar, June 17: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday said that the Odisha government should not oppose the Ayushman Bharat scheme, popularly known as Modicare, for mere political reasons.
"Odisha government must not oppose the Ayushman Bharat scheme for mere political reasons, which will harm the poor people in the state," he said.
Pradhan, who hails from Odisha, said the decision of the state government to stay away from Ayushman Bharat scheme is "unfortunate" and "anti-people" as over 61 lakh families would benefit under the programme.
He said that the people of Odisha have already realized the inefficiency of the state government led by the Biju Janata Dal (BJD).
A political controversy has surfaced following the state government's refusal to implement the Centre's flagship health scheme.
The BJD said it has decided to implement Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana, which will cover more beneficiaries than the central scheme.
"While Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana is a health assurance scheme, Ayushman Bharat is a health insurance scheme. The state government scheme will benefit 70 lakh families against 61 lakh families in the central scheme," said BJD spokesperson Pratap Deb.
Under the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana, secondary and tertiary cashless healthcare assistance will be provided up to Rs 5 lakh per family per annum. The scheme will come into effect from August 15 this year.
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RCB beat MI by 18 runs after batters fire
Mumbai (PTI): Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper Rajat Patidar, Phil Salt and Virat Kohli blasted half-centuries as the defending champions beat Mumbai Indians by 18 runs in an Indian Premier League match here on Sunday.
Salt (78 off 36 balls) and Kohli (50 off 38 balls) stitched together a 120-run stand for the opening wicket before Patidar scored a rapid 53 off just 20 balls as RCB posted 240 for 4.
In response, Mumbai Indians were restricted to 222 for 5, with RCB spinner Suyash Sharma (2/47) putting the skids on the home side with a double strike in the eighth over, from which they could not recover.
Sherfane Rutherford top-scored for MI with an unbeaten 71 off 31 balls.
While opener Rohit Sharma appeared to be struggling with a hamstring issue and had to retire hurt on 19, his partner Ryan Rickelton made 37, while Suryakumar Yadav (33) and Hardik Pandya (40) were the other contributors for MI.
Brief scores:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru 240 for 4 in 20 overs (Phil Salt 78, Virat Kohli 50, Rajat Patidar 53, Tim David 35 not out).
Mumbai Indians: 222 for 5 in 20 overs (Sherfane Rutherford 71 not out, Ryan Rickelton 37, Hardik Pandya 40; Suyash Sharma 2/47).
