Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was on a one -day visit to his home state last week, strongly harped on the development plank by promising people, mostly tribals, a positive uplift in their quality of life by giving them proper housing, water, electricity and affordable healthcare through the BJP-led NDA government’s flagship programmes.
Modi addressed two public gatherings – one in tribal-dominated Valsad and another in Junagadh – after inaugurating several development projects and laying foundation stone of many more. Addressing a gathering in Junagadh, Modi made a strong case for the ambitious and affordable healthcare scheme Ayushman Bharat Yojna, which he said would transform the healthcare sector in India.
Though he refrained from naming the Congress party, Modi took a swipe at ‘previous governments’ for doing precious little to lessen the medical expenses burden of people. Modi said Ayushman Bharat is scheduled to be launched on September 25, the the birth anniversary of Sangh ideologue Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay.
“The trial run for this project has begun since August 15 as this is technology-linked,” Modi said, describing how it would encourage private investments to transform healthcare sector. He inaugurated various projects, including a newly-built hospital of the Gujarat Medical and Education Research Society. “At present, people, especially the aged ones, suffering from life-threatening diseases, refuse treatment (due to high cost) and suffer in pain as they don’t want their children to be burdened with medical expenses and loans. I want to end this situation through Ayushman Bharat Yojna in which government will pay hospital bill of up to Rs 5,00,000 in cases of serious diseases for 500 million people,” he said.
He also talked about building 1,50,000 ‘Arogyadhams’ (wellness centres) across India, which would provide much more services than the usual primary health centres or community health centres. “Considering 6,00,000 villages in India, there would one wellness centre every 10-12 km. These technologically well-equipped centres will offer a slew of services, including preventive healthcare,” Modi said.
Modi said the government had initiated a scheme to have a medical college and a hospital for every three parliamentary constituencies. “Later, as the programme picks up, the number of parliamentary seats will be reduced to two and then one. Ultimately, there must be a medical college and a hospital in every district,” he added.
In Jujwa village near Valsad, Modi made an all-out attempt to strike chord with tribals by interacting with women, who got houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna (Gramin), through video conferencing and water supply schemes.
Economists steeped in pessimism
Former economist-turned Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh also came under attack from Modi when the latter talked about doubling farmers’ income by 2020. “Without even listen to me, they are saying it’s impossible to double farmers income. Some economists are steeped in pessimism and there is little they can do for people,” Modi said without naming anyone. He exuded confidence that farmers can work out miracles with their hard work. Manmohan Singh had dubbed Modi’s statement on doubling farmers’ income as a ‘hollow assurance’ and said that it was not possible unless the agriculture growth touched 12%.
