As per Supreme Court, Ayushman Bharat Health Scheme will not be implemented in Delhi

The Supreme Court in its order on Friday has stayed the implementation of the PM Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) scheme in the national capital Delhi for the time being. In fact, the Delhi High Court in one of its orders had directed to agree with the Union Health Ministry and the Delhi Government. Under this agreement, the Prime Minister Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission was to be implemented in the national capital Delhi. However, now the Supreme Court has stayed the decision of the Delhi High Court.

A bench of Justice BR Gavai and Justice AG Masih ordered a stay on the order of the High Court. The order of the Delhi High Court was challenged by the Delhi Government in the Supreme Court. Now the Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Central Government and sought its reply. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi appeared in the Supreme Court on behalf of the Delhi Government. Singhvi argued that the powers of the Center are limited under entries 1, 2, and 18 of the State List, but the High Court in its order has redefined the powers of the government in the health sector.

Singhvi added that the High Court is getting the Delhi government to buckle before the central government at gunpoint. The Supreme Court has stayed the Delhi High Court order for now. It must be mentioned that the PM Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission Scheme does not exist in Delhi. Such is one of the most recent PILs filed in 2017 regarding the shortage availability or non-availability of ICU beds and ventilator facilities in hospitals run by various government agencies here in Delhi, a demand should be made on the implementation of the PM Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission Scheme in Delhi, according to an appeal. The High Court had, instead of full implementation of the scheme, ordered an agreement between the Center and the Delhi Government in such a situation.