Saurabh Bharadwaj alleges that the BJP government shut down a public welfare scheme immediately after assuming power. In 2023, while he was a minister, the budget was released and the scheme continued only after court intervention.
Delhi News: The BJP government has discontinued the 'Farishte Yojana' scheme, designed to save lives of road accident victims in Delhi, in its first budget. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has bly criticized the BJP for this decision. AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj accused the BJP government of jeopardizing thousands of lives by shutting down this public welfare scheme. He referred to those responsible as "demons" and demanded accountability for their actions.
What was the Farishte Yojana?
The Farishte Yojana was launched in 2017 by the Arvind Kejriwal government. Its aim was to provide immediate medical treatment to road accident victims. Under this scheme, injured individuals were admitted to the nearest private hospital, with the Delhi government bearing the treatment costs. The primary goal was to prevent deaths due to delays in treatment after accidents. This scheme is credited with saving over 10,000 lives.
Why did the BJP government shut down the scheme?
AAP's Delhi state president and MLA, Saurabh Bharadwaj, alleged that the BJP government immediately discontinued the Farishte Yojana after coming to power. He stated, "In 2023, when I was a minister, LG officers were attempting to block the scheme's budget. I appealed to the court, and after court intervention, the budget was released, and the scheme continued. However, the BJP shut it down immediately after forming the government."
AAP's sharp attack on BJP
Saurabh Bharadwaj stated that the Farishte Yojana saved thousands of lives, but the BJP's decision to discontinue it demonstrates their insensitivity. He said, "Those who shut down this life-saving scheme for the people of Delhi are 'demons'. Having previously failed to stop the scheme through the LG, the BJP has now terminated it after assuming power."
Controversy surrounding Farishte Yojana
The AAP claims that even in 2023, the BJP, with the help of the LG and officials, attempted to block the scheme's budget to shut it down. However, the scheme continued after court intervention. Now, the BJP has terminated it after coming to power. AAP leaders believe that the discontinuation of this scheme will prevent road accident victims from receiving prompt treatment, making it difficult to save their lives.
Delhi government considering new schemes
The Delhi government has stated that it is considering new schemes for the health sector soon, although no alternative scheme has been announced to replace the Farishte Yojana.
