Delhi Cabinet announces implementation of Ayushman Bharat, tabling of audit reports in first meet

In a move that may trigger a major political slugfest, the chief minister also said that 14 Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports, whose tabling had allegedly been delayed by the previous AAP government, will now be presented in the Assembly.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Gupta said: "During the cabinet meeting, we have taken two big decisions. The Ayushman Bharat Yojana, whose implementation had been held back by the previous government, will be implemented in Delhi with a top-up of Rs 5 lakh from the state government. PM Narendra Modi had announced the scheme for the whole nation, but Delhi could not get its benefits because of the AAP. This will be done at the earliest after the formalities are completed."

"There are 14 CAG reports pending, which were not tabled by the previous government. They will be tabled during the first session of the Assembly. These decisions were taken today. We will take up our other commitments, give shape to each one of them and present them before you soon," she added.

The implementation of the Ayushman Bharat Yojana had been a major bone of contention between the AAP and the BJP.

MPs from the BJP had earlier filed a petition in the Delhi High Court, seeking that the scheme be made available to people in the national capital.

The AAP had, however, argued that the capital's residents enjoy "superior" benefits under the Delhi government's schemes and that implementing Ayushman Bharat would effectively be a downgrade.

The Delhi government said that the Centre had used 2011 Census data for the Ayushman Bharat scheme, rendering it "old and archaic", and did not take the evolving circumstances of society into consideration.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s first-time MLA Rekha Gupta earlier in the day took oath as the new Delhi Chief Minister, almost two weeks after her party swept the assembly elections and returned to power in the national capital after 27 years.

Gupta and five other ministers including 'giant killer' Parvesh Verma were administered the oath by Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena in front of a sea of supporters at the Ramlila Maidan in the city.