The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has intensified its call for the Ayushman Bharat scheme to extend healthcare coverage to all 4.5 crore residents of Odisha.
The demand, voiced by BJD spokesperson Dr. Lekhashree Samantsinghar, aims to address gaps in the current healthcare system before the iconic Rath Yatra festivities commence.
Dr Samantsinghar highlighted the disparities between the Ayushman Bharat scheme and Odisha’s homegrown Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY). While the former currently covers 3.51 crore beneficiaries, BSKY is hailed for covering 3.56 crore, underscoring Odisha’s leading position in reducing healthcare costs nationwide.
Criticizing the BJP-led state government, the BJD alleged that the Ayushman Bharat scheme in Odisha is essentially a repackaging of BSKY with no substantive changes. The spokesperson also flagged concerns about financial irregularities within the scheme, as reported by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, demanding transparency and accountability.
The BJD’s demand seeks to secure free healthcare benefits worth Rs. 10 lakh for men and Rs. 15 lakh for women across Odisha under Ayushman Bharat.
Dr. Samantsinghar argued that comprehensive healthcare coverage is not just a policy issue but a moral obligation to the residents of the state.
As Odisha prepares for the grandeur of Rath Yatra, the BJD continues to assert its commitment to ensuring accessible and equitable healthcare for all Odias—a promise they claim is yet to be fulfilled by the “Double Engine Government.”
