Bhubaneswar, Apr 11: Union Health and Family Welfare Minister JP Nadda launched Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) at a grand programme at Baliyatra ground in Cuttack today.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Deputy Chief Ministers KV Singh Deo and Pravati Parida, Cuttack MP Bhartruhari Mahtab, Cuttak- Barabati MLA Sofia Firdos and Cuttack Sadar MLA Prakash Sethi were present. 

On the occasion, the Union Minister distributed Ayushman Vay Bandana Cards to some beneficiaries aged above 70 years. He also distributed Ayushman Bharat cards to some beneficiaries. As many as 3.5 crore people of Odisha will get free health service coverage up to Rs 5 lakh per annum. Besides, they will get additional free health service up to Rs 5 lakh under the Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana.

Speaking on the occasion, Nadda said the implementation of AB-PMJAY has been possible in Odisha because of a double-engine government running in the State.

He slammed the previous BJD government for not implementing the scheme since it was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018.

Nadda said many single-engine governments have fallen as they didn't implement the Ayushman Bharat despite several requests and reminders from the Union Government. "Governments changed and lotus bloomed  in Odisha and New Delhi because Ayushman Yojana was not implemented in political considerations. In this consideration, people will also change the government in West Bengal," said Union Minister Nadda.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi also criticized the previous government for not implementing the Central scheme and depriving more than three crore Odisha people of free health services.

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