West Bengal becomes the first state to opt out of Modi's healthcare plan

Kolkata : West Bengal has become the first state to opt out of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's healthcare plan that was unveiled in the Union Budget this year.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the state will not invest 40 per cent of the fund in a scheme that is not a need of the hour.

“The Centre has drawn up a health plan in which 40% of the fund has to come from state governments. But why should the state spend on another programme when it already has its own scheme? A state will have its own scheme if it has the resources,” the Bengal CM said.

She added, “We have made hospitalization and treatment free in Bengal. We have done it even after the Centre takes away Rs 48,000 crore a year for debt-servicing the loan liability left behind by the preceding CPM government.”

Addressing a public rally, Mamata Banerjee pointed out that the state already has its own Swasthya Sathi programme benefitting 50 lakh people.