Legal

SC Issues Notice To Centre, States On Demand To Include Ayurveda And Naturopathy In Ayushman Bharat Scheme

The Supreme Court issued a notice to the Central Government, states, and union territories on a petition seeking the inclusion of Ayurveda, Yoga, and Naturopathy in the Ayushman Bharat scheme. The court directed responses and set the hearing for three weeks from now. The petition, filed by BJP leader and advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, claims Ayushman Bharat currently focuses only on allopathic facilities. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta will assist the court in this matter.

Petition Highlights Exclusion of Indigenous Medicine

Upadhyay’s petition argues that Ayushman Bharat overlooks India’s traditional medical systems like Ayurveda, Yoga, Siddha, Unani, and Homeopathy. He states these indigenous practices, deeply rooted in Indian tradition, are effective in meeting healthcare needs today. According to Upadhyay, the focus on allopathy excludes systems that reflect India’s cultural and scientific heritage. He asserts that colonial policies have marginalized these traditional practices.

Ayushman Bharat’s Existing Structure

The Ayushman Bharat scheme, launched in 2018, aims to provide healthcare to economically disadvantaged families. It consists of two components: the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) and the Health and Wellness Centers. PM-JAY offers health coverage worth ₹5 lakh per family annually, targeting over 12 crore low-income families. The petition claims the current scheme is incomplete and does not align with the Constitution’s fundamental rights. Upadhyay emphasizes that including Ayurveda in Ayushman Bharat would better serve both middle and lower-class families across the country.

Also Read: Supreme Court Overturns 1967 Ruling; Calls For Fresh Examination Of AMU’s Minority Status

Gopal Krishna

Recent Posts

I Won’t Be Able To Deliver Justice from Tomorrow, But I Am Content: Justice DY Chandrachud’s Final Message

Justice Chandrachud reflected on his career and the role of judges. He described them as…

12 mins ago

Chief Justice DY Chandrachud’s Farewell: Tributes And Reflections On Distinguished Tenure

Attorney General R Venkataramani humorously recalled a conference in Brazil where participants danced to close…

43 mins ago

SC To Investigate Audio Tape Alleging Manipur CM Instigated Violence

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta opposed Bhushan’s claims. He argued that Bhushan should first approach the…

1 hour ago

SC Cancels Bail For Rajasthan Ex-MLA Giriraj Singh Malinga, Orders Surrender

Malinga allegedly assaulted an assistant engineer, leading to his arrest in May 2022 by CID-CB.…

2 hours ago

Supreme Court Rejects Petition For CBI Probe Into Tirupati Laddu Controversy

The court, while dismissing the petition, emphasized that issuing separate arrangements for temples and religious…

3 hours ago

CM Yogi Highlights Significance Of Srimad Bhagwat Mahapuran In Pratapgarh; Emphasizes Path To Salvation

UP CM Yogi Adityanath attended a Shrimad Bhagwat Katha in Pratapgarh, highlighting its significance as…

3 hours ago