New Delhi: The Delhi government on Friday informed the Supreme Court that it is proceeding with the implementation of the PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) in the national capital. The move marks a shift in the government’s stance after months of resistance to signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Union Health Ministry.
Delhi Government Withdraws Legal Challenge
During a hearing before a bench of Justices B R Gavai and P K Mishra, the counsel for the Delhi government stated that they wished to withdraw the Special Leave Petition (SLP) challenging the Delhi High Court’s December 24, 2024, order.
“We are going ahead with the implementation of the scheme, so, therefore, now we want to withdraw this SLP,” the government’s lawyer told the apex court.
The Supreme Court allowed the petition to be withdrawn, effectively clearing the way for PM-ABHIM’s rollout in Delhi.
From Resistance to Implementation
The previous AAP-led Delhi government had initially resisted PM-ABHIM, arguing that the scheme was designed primarily for rural healthcare systems and did not align with Delhi’s urban infrastructure, which already had 529 Mohalla Clinics run by registered medical practitioners.
However, following the BJP’s victory in the Delhi Assembly elections, the government has now opted to implement the scheme instead of continuing with legal opposition.
High Court’s Ruling and Supreme Court’s Intervention
The Delhi High Court, in its December 24 ruling, had directed the Delhi government to sign the MoU by January 5, 2025, emphasizing that Delhi residents should not be deprived of the funds and facilities under the scheme, especially when 33 other states and Union Territories had already implemented it.
The court had also clarified that the Model Code of Conduct would not be a hindrance in finalizing the MoU, given that the matter was being monitored by the judiciary for the public benefit.
However, when the Delhi government challenged this directive in the Supreme Court, the top court had stayed the High Court’s deadline and sought responses from the Centre.
With today’s decision, the legal battle ends, and Delhi is set to integrate PM-ABHIM into its healthcare system.
