Delhi Govt Withdraws Supreme Court Petition Against PM-ABHIM Implementation

On Friday, the BJP-led Delhi government withdrew a petition filed by the former AAP-led administration challenging a Delhi High Court directive to sign an MoU with the Centre for implementing the PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM).

A Supreme Court bench comprising Justices BR Gavai and Prashant Kumar Mishra allowed the withdrawal.

Appearing for the Delhi government, Advocate Jyoti Mendiratta informed the court of the decision to withdraw the petition.

Acknowledging the change in government, Justice Gavai remarked, “Now (since change in government), you have lost interest.”

Mendiratta confirmed, stating, “We are going ahead with the implementation of the scheme.”

Delhi High Court’s Observations On PM-ABHIM

The Delhi High Court had issued the directive while addressing a suo motu PIL initiated in 2017 concerning ICU bed and ventilator availability in government hospitals.

The court noted that Delhi was among the few regions yet to adopt PM-ABHIM, despite 33 states and Union Territories already implementing it.

The High Court emphasized that officials must fully implement the scheme to ensure Delhi residents receive its benefits.

The High Court also clarified that the MoU must signed regardless of any Model Code of Conduct, as the initiative serves public welfare.

Earlier, the court had raised concerns over Delhi’s medical infrastructure, particularly in critical care services.

It questioned why the Delhi government had not expanded its facilities and advised phased implementation of PM-ABHIM, beginning with a pilot program.

In January, the then AAP-led government had challenged the High Court’s order in the Supreme Court.

Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Delhi, argued that the Centre’s jurisdiction was limited to public order, police, and land under the State List and contended that the High Court had overstepped in redefining governance over health policies.

Singhvi also argued that the MoU was a policy matter, and signing it would require Delhi to bear 40% of capital costs while receiving no financial assistance for operational expenses.

He further claimed that Delhi’s own healthcare schemes had broader coverage.

On 17 January, the Supreme Court had stayed the High Court order while issuing a notice on the matter.

However, following the BJP’s victory in the Delhi Legislative Assembly elections, the new administration sought to withdraw the case, aligning with its decision to implement the PM-ABHIM scheme.

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