Six months after high-profile rollout, Ayushman Bharat struggles to gain ground in Delhi: Report
New Delhi: Six months after its much-publicised launch in the national capital, the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme is struggling to make an impact.
Despite issuing nearly 5 lakh health cards, only a small percentage of beneficiaries in Delhi have accessed treatment under the scheme. Major private hospitals continue to stay away, citing financial non-viability as a key concern, as reported by The New Indian Express on Monday.
Launched on April 10, the scheme had promised to extend health coverage to Delhi’s poor and vulnerable sections. Senior citizens were among the first to receive Ayushman cards, with the initiative hailed as a significant move toward inclusive healthcare. However, six months on, the ground reality tells a different story.
According to official data cited by TNIE, 4,99,230 cards have been issued so far, but only 9,254 patients have received treatment. Out of over 1,200 private hospitals in Delhi, just 166 have enrolled under the scheme. Officials admit that the lack of participation from large corporate hospitals has significantly limited the scheme’s reach.
“One of the biggest roadblocks has been the reluctance of big hospitals to join. The absence of top-tier facilities has hampered outreach, leaving a large section of poor and vulnerable populations waiting for care,” TNIE quoted an official from the State Health Agency overseeing the programme as saying.
Healthcare experts point to structural and financial shortcomings as reasons for the scheme's slow progress. Many hospitals have raised concerns about unviable treatment package rates and delayed reimbursements.
The Association of Healthcare Providers of India (AHPI), representing numerous private hospitals, has urged the government to revise the scheme’s terms. Among its demands is a clause mandating 1% interest on payments delayed beyond 30 days, to promote timely reimbursement and accountability.
Additionally, officials admit that the scheme's limited disease coverage is another hurdle, added the report. Currently, only 136 medical conditions are covered under Ayushman Bharat—far fewer than the number of conditions commonly treated in hospitals.
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Minister Patil chairs industry meetings to chart growth for key sectors in Karnataka
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Minister M B Patil on Tuesday chaired meetings with industry representatives from the aerospace and defence, machine tools, auto/EV, and green energy sectors to discuss sector growth and government support measures.
The meetings were attended by leading industrialists and their representatives, with some participating virtually.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister for Large and Medium Industries said Karnataka is at the forefront of the country’s aerospace and defence sectors.
He noted that Suzuki and Toyota plan to launch aerial taxi services in Japan by 2028, with Bengaluru-based Sasmos supplying electrical equipment for the project.
Industrialists suggested introducing similar “fly-taxi” services in Karnataka through an appropriate policy, which Patil said would be examined seriously.
The minister highlighted the need to establish testing centres and Common Facility Centres for the aerospace and defence industries and assured that these facilities would be provided.
Suggestions were also made to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for sector growth.
Karnataka has urged the Central Government to approve Defence Corridor projects in the Bengaluru North–Kolar–Chikkaballapur and Dharawada–Vijayapura–Belagavi regions.
Industrialists also suggested a corridor between Bengaluru and Mysuru, Patil said.
He said Karnataka aims to become a hub for defence electronics manufacturing, with plans to establish a 200-acre Defence Electronics Park and a 100-acre Avionics and Sensor Park.
These projects will be implemented once the Special Investment Region is operational, and land availability will not be an issue.
On the machine tools sector, Patil said the industry has recorded an annual turnover of Rs 36,500 crore and is witnessing steady growth.
Large-scale exhibitions have increased demand, and the state must strengthen its capabilities to develop control systems for heavy machinery. One testing unit is already operational in Bengaluru, with another planned for Tumakuru. Expansion of vocational training institutes in industrial areas is also underway.
In the Auto and EV sector, Vision Group members highlighted the need for a network of dry ports and more EV charging stations across the state.
Patil noted that the Tata Group is manufacturing EV buses in Dharawada for nationwide supply. Plans for mini excavator production and export facilitation were also discussed, along with the establishment of a testing facility for two-wheeler EVs.
For the Green Energy sector, the group emphasised the need for a suitable policy on battery-based energy storage and the establishment of data centres.
Patil assured that the government will seriously consider all suggestions and respond positively.
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