The prime minister, who was launching the Ayushman Bharat plan in Jammu and Kashmir, said that people who were in power for decades ignored the development of the border regions. He also said that DDC’s “transparent” elections at J&K and people’s participation in them are a proud moment for India.
Modi criticized Congress, saying that municipal and panchayat elections are not taking place in Puducherry despite the order of the Supreme Court. Currently, Congress is in the territory of the Union.
“Some people in Delhi offer me democracy lessons day after day, and they use ‘abuse’ for me, but they have not carried out panchayat polls in Puducherry despite a Supreme Court order,” he said.
The Prime Minister also praised the recently concluded elections at J&K.
District Development Council (DDC) polls at J&K have seen people win because of their work and not their names, the Prime Minister said.
This was the first election exercise held at J&K since Article 370 was repealed in August last year and the state was divided into two Union territories.
The Center has undertaken the comprehensive development of J&K, he added.
Earlier, Prime Minister Modi launched the Ayushman Bharat plan via video conferencing to extend health insurance coverage to all J&K residents.
The Prime Minister’s Office said the plan will ensure universal health coverage and focus on providing protection against financial risks and ensuring quality and affordable essential health services for all individuals and communities.
The scheme will provide free insurance coverage to all J&K UT residents, the PMO said, adding that it will extend financial coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh per family on a floating basis to all UT residents.
There is a provision for the operational extension of the ‘Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana’ (PM-JAY) to approximately 15 lakh additional families, the PMO statement said, adding that the scheme will operate in safe mode in convergence with PM-JAY. .
(With inputs from agencies)
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