YS Sharmila raises concerns over Union Minister Pemmasani’s statements on Aarogyasri scheme

Hyderabad: AP Congress State President YS Sharmila has raised concerns regarding Union Minister Pemmasani’s recent statements on the implementation of the Aarogyasri scheme, questioning whether it implies the discontinuation of Aarogyasri in favor of Ayushman Bharat.

Sharmila took to Twitter (now X) to express her doubts, asking, “If everyone has to take Ayushman Bharat cards, does it mean that there is no more Aarogyasri in the state? Do you want the Ayushman scheme to be implemented now? Is your coalition government thinking of discontinuing Aarogyasri?”

She further questioned the government’s allocation of funds, saying, “Is that why you are not providing funds for the scheme? Why are you neglecting the payment of pending dues? What does it signify when your government claims that the bills are not coming? If the Rs 5 lakh provided by the Centre under Ayushman Bharat is matched, what else will the state contribute? Are you suggesting that there is no more treatment under Aarogyasri?”

Sharmila highlighted that the previous YCP government had left Rs 1,600 crore in arrears, causing hospitals to halt services. “Now, the words of your ministers cast doubt on the implementation of the scheme itself. Chandrababu Naidu and Pawan Kalyan should immediately address this issue. Aarogyasri, a wonderful scheme introduced by Dr. YS Rajasekhar Reddy, guarantees life-saving treatment regardless of illness. Aarogyasri is also the model for the Ayushman Bharat scheme being implemented by the Centre. We will not tolerate the dilution of such a crucial scheme. The coalition government must immediately clarify its stance on Aarogyasri,” she demanded.