YS Sharmila Criticizes Andhra Pradesh Government Over Ineffectiveness of Aarogyasri Health Scheme
YS Sharmila, the President of the Andhra Pradesh Congress, has launched a sharp criticism of the state government, accusing them of undermining the Aarogyasri health scheme. According to Sharmila, the coalition government has effectively rendered the scheme ineffective, turning it into what she refers to as “Anarogyasri,” which, she claims, has failed to protect the health interests of the poor.
Aarogyasri, a health initiative originally introduced by the late Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy, was designed to provide affordable healthcare and act as a lifeline for individuals suffering from life-threatening diseases. Sharmila emphasized that the scheme had been a crucial support system for the underprivileged, offering hope and access to critical medical care.
Sharmila accused the current government of purposefully weakening the scheme by failing to clear pending dues worth ₹3,000 crore. This failure, she argued, has led to medical services being halted, jeopardizing the health of those reliant on the scheme. “By not clearing these dues and allowing healthcare services to stop, the administration is conspiring to dismantle Aarogyasri. Despite their claims of prioritizing healthcare, they are putting the lives of poor people at risk by neglecting the scheme,” Sharmila stated.
In her address to the media, Sharmila demanded immediate action from the government to clear the outstanding payments. She urged Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu to invite hospital managements for discussions and ensure the immediate release of ₹3,000 crore owed to them. “Regardless of whether these dues were left unpaid by the previous government, it is now the responsibility of your government to ensure hospitals are paid,” she added.
Sharmila’s call to action also emphasized the urgent need to restore the Aarogyasri services, insisting that the integrity of the program be preserved for the well-being of the people. She urged the government to prevent any further disruptions to the healthcare services provided under the scheme, stressing that any delays would be detrimental to the people of Andhra Pradesh.
As the controversy continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the state government will respond to these demands and what steps will be taken to resolve the financial issues surrounding Aarogyasri.
