PM Modi likely to launch health scheme from Jharkhand

Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) was widely expected to be launched from the three poll bound states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh

Contrary to expectations, Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), the health insurance/assurance scheme will roll out on the 25th of the month, not from a poll-bound state but, in all likelihood, from Jharkhand.

PMJAY which is the NDA government’s most ambitious welfare programme in an election year, was widely expected to roll out from one of the three Assembly election bound states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh – all three BJP-ruled states. Rajasthan has been a late entrant into the scheme because of logistical issues. Chhattisgarh has already seen the launch of one arm of the NDA government’s health flagship Ayushman Bharat. In April this year, prime minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first health and wellness centre in Chattisgarh’s Bijapore. Under Ayushman Bharat, 1,53,000 health and wellness centres will be set up across the country.

For now, the expectation is that just about 29 states would be on board from Day 0. Few other than Chhattisgarh may have private hospitals on board right from the beginning

That left only Madhya Pradesh as a possible host for the high profile function with prime minister Narendra Modi as a star attraction. However, the National Health Agency, according to sources, was not confident about a prime ministerial rollout from that state given the state of preparedness. Jharkhand, apart from being BJP-ruled, has its own health scheme currently functioning so it is logistically at a better position for the launch. It is also headed to the Assembly polls immediately after the Lok Sabha polls next year.

So far 29 states have signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Health Agency to be on board PMJAY. By the launch date it will at least be 30 if not more with Maharashtra having given in-principle nod and Delhi on the fence, say highly placed sources. However not all of them may be in a position to roll out the scheme on September 25.

For now, the expectation is that just about 29 states would be on board from Day 0. Few other than Chhattisgarh may have private hospitals on board right from the beginning.