A day after taking oath, Delhi's new Health and Transport Minister Pankaj Singh on Thursday assured that the free bus service for women will continue under the BJP-led government and directed officials to submit a detailed report on the functioning of Mohalla Clinics.
Singh, who has been allocated the health, transport, and information technology portfolios, took oath on Wednesday along with five other cabinet ministers in the newly formed Rekha Gupta government.
“Public transport will remain free as promised. We are committed to improving facilities further,” Singh said. He assured that free public transport for women will not be discontinued and said that the government plans to improve introduce new benefits in public transport.
Singh, a 48-year-old debutant legislator and a prominent Purvanchali face in the new government, is a dental surgeon-turned-politician.
Speaking about the Mohalla Clinics, Singh said, he has asked the Health Secretary to submit a report detailing their operations, including the total number of functional clinics, staffing, property ownership status, and the frequency of doctor visits.
The minister said that he has also inquired about clinics where doctors do not visit but bills are still being generated. He further claimed that, according to his assessment, 30 to 40 percent of Mohalla Clinics do not even open regularly.
Addressing the shortage of the clinics, he said inspections will be conducted, and necessary actions will be taken based on the results. He assured that visible changes will take place within 100 days.
Singh also sought a comprehensive report on pending healthcare projects, which is expected by February 27 , following which further steps will be taken.
On the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme, he said,, “We had sent the Ayushman Bharat file to the Centre. Now that it has returned, we will make all efforts to implement it by next week.”
As a doctor himself, Singh stressed the importance of understanding the challenges faced by medical professionals and pledged to address their concerns. He also highlighted the government's focus on essential services like water supply and sewage management.
"Discussions are underway to ensure Delhi residents get clean drinking water and air. People should not face shortages during summer," he said, adding that significant improvements will be visible in the next winter season.
Ashish Sood, who has been given the Home, Power, Urban Development, Education, Higher Education, Training and Technical Education, said the AAP deliberately did not implement the Ayushman Bharat scheme in Delhi and denied the people of the city its benefits.
The minister said the Ayushman Bharat scheme, a key initiative of the central government, was approved in the first Cabinet meeting on Thursday. "Now, people of Delhi will also have the opportunity to avail its benefits," he said.
He informed that the Delhi government will also sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the central government and ensure its full-scale implementation, the minister said.
Delhi’s Social Welfare, SC & ST Welfare, Elections and Cooperative Minister Ravinder Indraj Singh said that he would prioritise the development of rural areas as a minister. Singh who got the social welfare, SC & ST welfare, cooperative and elections departments in the Delhi government said he understands the challenges ahead.
"Having lived here, I know the issues firsthand. Development will be prioritised," he said.
