Hyderabad: Taking exception to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s criticism against the TRS government for not joining ‘Ayushman Bharat’, caretaker Chief Minister Chandrasekhar Rao Wednesday said that the schemes implemented in the state are much better than the Central scheme.
“Narendra Modi introduced a scheme. It’s name is ‘Ayushman Bharat’. A big bogus matter. (We have) to become a member of ‘Ayushman Bharat’ to avail the great medical facility he gives. To become a member, there are 50 conditions,” he said.
Rao, the caretaker Chief Minister, claimed that the scheme would not be applicable even if one owns a motorbike. “There are many conditions. Not even 20 per cent will get. Even in a ‘Lambadi Thanda‘ (tribal habitation), there are 50-50 motorcycles…Then nobody will get Modi’s scheme,” he said, addressing an election campaign meeting at Narsapur near Medak.
The ‘Arogya Sri’ and Chief Minister’s Relief Fund being implemented by the state government are much better than ‘Ayushman Bharat’, he said. “Why should the state lose the existing medical facility by joining Ayushman Bharat”? Rao asked.
“We are implementing the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, Arogya Sri scheme. We are spending lakhs of Rupees to protect people. Very excellent scheme. He came yesterday (and said) you did not participate in Ayushman Bharat. Should we lose the facility we have by participating. Should the existing facility go, Modiji?,” he asked.
The Telananga BJP president should answer as to why the state join ‘Ayushman Bharat’ when the state scheme is good, Rao said. “Why should we join yours when ours is good?” he asked. He asked Modi whether Rs 1,000 social security pension to the poor and free power to farmers were being given in any of the 19 states that BJP is in power.
He said he felt pained over Modi saying that the power situation was not good in Telangana. He asked the gathering if electricity was available there or not, to which they responded positively. Rao said those holding high posts should be careful about what they speak.
Rao explained the steps taken by the TRS government to ensure effective power supply. He also spoke about various welfare schemes of his government. Speaking in Telangana Tuesday, Modi said Rao did not join Ayushman Bharat scheme under which the Centre would bear medical expenses of the poor to the extent of Rs 5 lakh a year because of his feeling of insecurity.
“This chief minister feels so insecure…he trusts astrologers, does puja, ties nimbu-mirchi (to ward of evil). So when we introduced Ayushman Bharat Yojana, he decided not to join it. He feared people will reject him if Modicare comes into force. He did injustice to the poor people of the state,” Modi said.
Modi said the Chief Minister had once asserted he would transform Nizamabad into a smart city like London, but the city was still grappling with shortage of water, electricity and proper roads.