Kolkata, Sept. 16 -- West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today strongly defended her government's flagship health insurance scheme Swasthya Sathi, calling it more inclusive than the Centre's Ayushman Bharat, which she alleged discriminates against people for owning basic assets such as scooters or smartphones.
"We refused to join Ayushman Bharat because it excludes the common man. Why shouldI differentiate between rich and poor for healthcare? Even if you own a scooter, a smartphone,or a small asset, you will not be disqualified under Swasthya Sathi," Banerjee said.
She said that over 8.72 crore people from 2.45 crore families have benefitted from the scheme sofar, with nearly 7,000 patients availing treatment daily. The state has ...