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‘India witnessing revolution in public healthcare’: PM Modi on 7 years of Ayushman Bharat

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New Delhi, Sep 23: As Ayushman Bharat marks seven years since its launch, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday highlighted that India is experiencing a revolution in public healthcare. He added that the initiative anticipated future needs and aimed to provide high-quality and affordable healthcare for the people.

PM Modi took to his social media platform X and said, “Today we mark #7YearsOfAyushmanBharat! This was an initiative that anticipated the needs of the future and focussed on ensuring top quality as well as affordable healthcare for people. Thanks to it, India is witnessing a revolution in public healthcare. It has ensured financial protection and dignity. India has shown how scale, compassion and technology can further human empowerment.”

PM Modi also shared a thread of posts from ‘MyGovIndia’ highlighting the outcomes of the scheme.

“True leadership in governance lies in anticipating the needs of tomorrow. As we mark 7 years of Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), India celebrates a healthcare revolution that has redefined delivery, ensuring financial protection, universal access and dignity in care for 55+ crore citizens. It is a programme creating the blueprint for how visionary policy can rewrite the destiny of public health,” the post added.

Ayushman Bharat, the world’s largest health assurance scheme, has broken barriers to make universal health coverage a reality. Till now, over 55 crore citizens have been covered.

Cashless treatment is provided at the point of care, with no out-of-pocket burden. So far, over 42 crore Ayushman Cards have been issued, empowering families with accessible healthcare.

“A promise that protects generations: Government health expenditure rose from 29 per cent to 48 per cent, out-of-pocket costs dropped from 63 per cent to 39 per cent, millions of families were saved from financial ruin due to illness, and universal health coverage now extends to citizens aged over 70 years,” the post reads.

Over 81 lakh Vay Vandana Cards have been issued, 45 per cent of them to women. And, treatments worth Rs 496 crore have already been availed.

“Imagine a system where illness is stopped before it starts: 55+ crore screenings for hypertension, 48+ crore screenings for diabetes at Ayushman Aarogya Mandirs,” said MyGovIndia post.

Dialysis and major surgeries are now affordable for low-income families, says the government, adding that families saved Rs 10,000–15,000 per dialysis session, with a 90 per cent rise in access to cancer treatment.

Under the scheme, which focuses on diagnostics to wellness, free tests were made available at Sub Centres and PHCs (Primary Health Centres), over 5.7 crore sessions of yoga and meditation were held, and nearly 1.8 lakh Aarogya Mandirs were established, bringing healthcare home.

“Ayushman Bharat links: 4+ lakh healthcare facilities, nearly 7 lakh professionals, and 72+ crore health records. Till now, 81+ crore ABHA IDs and 41+ crore teleconsultations, ensuring care anytime, anywhere,” says the MyGovIndia post.

PM-JAY provides high-cost care and stability for vulnerable families. Till now, six crore Indians are protected from poverty every year.

The Economic Survey 2024–25 highlights the impact of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) in reducing Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) through increased social security and primary health spending, with recorded savings of over Rs 1.25 lakh crore.

The report also states that government-supported insurance schemes like AB PM-JAY, Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY), and state-specific programs contribute 2.63 per cent to healthcare financing. The rise in government health spending has significantly reduced financial hardship for households.

Between Fiscal Year 2015 and Fiscal Year 2022, Government Health Expenditure (GHE) increased from 29.0 per cent to 48.0 per cent, while OOPE declined from 62.6 per cent to 39.4 per cent.

As of March 24, more than 36.9 crore Ayushman Cards have been created under the scheme.

International News

EAM Jaishankar and US counterpart Rubio discuss advancing ties, regional developments

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External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar held a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Mumbai on Tuesday, with discussions focusing on further advancing bilateral ties.

During the meeting, the two ministers exchanged views on regional developments. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor and other officials were also present at the meeting.

“Pleased to meet US Marco Rubio in Mumbai today. We shared views on further advancement of our ties, focusing on trade, energy, technology, defence and people-to-people ties. Also exchanged views on regional developments,” EAM Jaishankar stated on X after the meting.

Rubio said that he and EAM Jaishankar discussed energy security and defence cooperation.

“In Mumbai, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and I discussed energy security and defense cooperation while reaffirming the importance of advancing the U.S.-India strategic partnership,” the US Secretary of State posted on X.

Earlier, EAM Jaishankar, Marco Rubio and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan held a meeting in Mumbai, with discussions held on regional energy security and advancing shared economic priorities.

“It was great to meet with Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss regional energy security and advance our shared economic priorities,” Rubio stated on X after the meeting.

Following the meeting, Ambassador Gor also took to X and wrote: “The US, India, and UAE have real opportunities to advance cooperation on energy, trade, technology, and regional connectivity. Marco Rubio, S Jaishankar, and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Mumbai for a discussion on turning our close ties into concrete results!”

Earlier in the day, Marco Rubio arrived in Mumbai for an official visit to India. For his visit to Mumbai, Rubio is accompanied by his wife, Jeanette Rubio and US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) extended a warm welcome to Rubio as he arrived in Mumbai for his second visit to India, noting that it provides an opportunity to further advance cooperation across various pillars of the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.

“Welcome to Mumbai, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, on your second visit to India! He was received by Shri Ashish Shelar, Minister of Culture, Electronics, IT and AI, Government of Maharashtra at the airport. The visit provides an opportunity to further advance cooperation across the various pillars of the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership,” the MEA posted on X.

After concluding his engagements in Mumbai, Rubio will travel to Gujarat’s Jamnagar for talks that will include “enhanced energy cooperation”, the US State Department said.

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Crime

Model Shraddha Dubey, wanted in businessman Shiva Sharma death case, arrested in Nagpur

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Model Shraddha Dubey, a key accused in the death of Lucknow-based businessman Shiva Sharma, has been arrested in Nagpur along with her sister Rashmi Dubey and driver Danish, Uttar Pradesh Police said on Tuesday.

The three accused, who had been absconding since the registration of the case, were apprehended by the Lucknow Police and the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) with the assistance of Nagpur Police on Tuesday.

A reward of Rs 50,000 each had been announced for information leading to their arrest.

Following her arrest, Shraddha Dubey has been brought to Bell Road Police Station on Wardha Road in Nagpur, where she is currently being questioned.

Officials of the Uttar Pradesh STF and Nagpur Police are present at the police station and are jointly questioning her.

According to the police, a case under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) was registered at the Hazratganj Police Station on October 9 on the basis of a written complaint filed by Ranjana Sharma.

The accused are being taken through the necessary legal formalities before being brought to Lucknow for further investigation into Sharma’s death.

Meanwhile, fresh details have emerged about Dubey’s movements during her absconding period.

According to media reports, she stayed for nearly 24 hours at a hotel in Taj Nagari Phase-I in Agra.

The reports claimed that CCTV footage showed a vehicle allegedly linked to Dubey arriving at the hotel at 6:33 a.m. on October 17. Around 20 minutes later, at 6.53 a.m., a woman identified as Dubey reportedly entered the premises. The vehicle’s registration number was reported to be UP32RT8043.

During her absconding period, Dubey had released a video appealing against linking her name with influential individuals.

An earlier viral audio recording, purportedly featuring her threatening Sharma, had also surfaced, in which she was allegedly heard referring to complaining about him to a ‘sir’.

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National News

CJP leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka to approach Delhi HC seeking release

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Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka are set to move the Delhi High Court seeking their release, challenging the Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) court’s order extending their judicial custody in connection with the Jantar Mantar trespassing case.

The move comes a day after the SEM court extended the judicial custody of the two till October 21, observing that their conduct “shows no respect for law” and reflects their “habitualness in calling protest at de-notified areas”.

The two CJP leaders were sent to judicial custody till October 21 by SEM Ritu Raj at Mandir Marg police station after their earlier five-day judicial custody ended on Monday.

In its order, the SEM court said the investigating officer had placed substantial material on record, raising concerns over the likelihood of a breach of peace and disturbance of public tranquillity.

It also recorded that the two leaders had allegedly breached the bonds furnished by them before the SEM, South-West District, on October 11 and subsequently committed a breach of peace in the present case.

The court further observed that their assurance that they would not repeat the alleged offence did not inspire confidence in view of their past conduct and the material placed on record by the investigating officer.

Das and Ranka, along with party member Ajinkya Shinde, were among 14 people detained on October 13 after they entered Jantar Mantar through private premises and obstructed police personnel from discharging their official duties.

The CJP members were protesting against alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and had raised slogans against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.

Delhi Police had justified their continued custody, citing repeated violations of law and apprehensions that their release could lead to further violations and instigation of others.

The SEM court had also found the sureties furnished on behalf of the two leaders unfit following an inquiry, citing discrepancies in identity documents and their inability to provide basic details about the persons for whom they stood surety. It directed them to furnish fresh sureties.

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