Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday welcomed the implementation of Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana in West Bengal, stating that people in the state will now benefit from the world’s largest healthcare scheme offering quality and affordable medical treatment.
PM Modi took to social media platform X and wrote, “The welfare of my sisters and brothers of West Bengal is paramount! I am delighted that the people of the state will now benefit from Ayushman Bharat, the world’s largest healthcare scheme that provides quality and affordable healthcare. At the same time, the double-engine Government will ensure smooth implementation of key Central schemes.”
The Prime Minister’s remarks came after newly sworn-in West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari shared details of the decisions taken during the first Cabinet meeting held at Nabanna after assuming office on May 9.
In a post on X, Adhikari described the first day of his government as “eventful” and said that the administration had begun transforming its promises into action through six landmark decisions aimed at “reclaiming the glory” of the state.
Among the major announcements was the implementation of Ayushman Bharat in West Bengal, enabling residents to avail benefits under the Centre’s flagship healthcare scheme.
The scheme ‘Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana’, a component of the Centre’s broader Ayushman Bharat initiative, is implemented by the National Health Authority (NHA) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It provides cashless hospitalisation coverage of Rs 5 lakh per family annually to poor and vulnerable families for secondary and tertiary healthcare services.
The scheme was launched by the Centre in September 2018 to provide health insurance coverage to economically weaker sections of society.
Additionally, the West Bengal government approved the immediate transfer of land to the Border Security Force (BSF) for border fencing work, which is expected to be completed within 45 days.
In another key decision, the government increased the upper age limit for state government job aspirants by five years, citing the opportunities lost by many youths during the previous regime.
Adhikari also announced the implementation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and approved the conduct of the Census to ensure proper representation.
The Cabinet further announced welfare measures for 321 families who lost their loved ones while “standing for democracy” in the state.
Additionally, the government cleared hurdles in implementing several Central schemes, including PM Vishwakarma, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and PM Ujjwala 3.0.
Adhikari asserted that the new administration would function as a government “of the people, by the people and for the people,” and declared that the era of “Asol Poribortan” has begun.
With Inputs From IANS
