Release ₹2,700 crore Aarogyasri dues, demands APCC chief Sharmila

Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Y.S. Sharmila on Wednesday staged a protest at Andhra Ratna Bhavan in Vijayawada, demanding immediate release of ₹2,700 crore pending under Aarogyasri health scheme.

Standing in rain with a stretcher, Ms. Sharmila said private hospitals had stopped services for last 14 days due to unpaid dues, leaving thousands of patients in the lurch. She warned that if the government did not do the needful, she would go on an indefinite hunger strike.

The State Congress chief alleged that the TDP-led NDA government had turned Aarogyasri into “Anarogyasri,” and accused the government of neglecting the health of the poor. While former Chief Minister of undivided State Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy became a God of the poor by launching Aarogyasri, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has become a demon by stopping it. Call it NTR Health Scheme or Nara Health Services, but continue the scheme and release the funds,” she said.

Ms. Sharmila said every day around 8,000 cases were registered under Aarogyasri in the State. But because of the suspension of services by the empanelled hospitals, patients were being turned away. She alleged that the government was conspiring to scrap the health scheme, and warned that the Congress party would not remain silent.