“Centre’s Withholding of ₹450 Crore Under NHM Is Condemnable; People Should Not Suffer in BJP–AAP Political Tug-of-War” – Pargat Singh

Punjab already heading toward financial emergency, burdened with mounting debt under AAP Govt.

Chandigarh, October 7, 2025: Padma Shri Pargat Singh, MLA and Secretary of the All India Congress Committee, today strongly condemned the Centre’s decision to withhold ₹450 crore under the National Health Mission (NHM) for Punjab. He said that the ongoing political branding war between the BJP-led Centre and the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab is directly punishing ordinary citizens — a situation both irresponsible and unacceptable.

“The people of Punjab are being crushed between two governments more focused on headlines than health. The Congress will not allow Punjab to become a political battlefield for Delhi’s rivalries,” Pargat Singh stated.

He appealed to the Union Ministry of Health to immediately release the pending NHM funds and urged the AAP government to abandon its politics of publicity and instead focus on governance. “This money is meant for the health and welfare of the common people. It must reach them without delay or political manipulation,” he said.

Pargat Singh held both governments accountable, noting that the AAP administration’s decision in 2023 to rename Ayushman Bharat Health Centres as Aam Aadmi Clinics was a serious violation of national health guidelines, which resulted in the suspension of central funds. “The AAP government chose political branding over public welfare. By ignoring guidelines, they have jeopardized essential healthcare services and caused financial loss to the state,” he said.

At the same time, he criticized the Centre for engaging in revenge politics by withholding funds meant for Punjab’s poor and vulnerable. “The Centre must remember that this is not about the AAP government; this is about the people who depend on public healthcare. Denying them access to treatment is nothing short of collective punishment,” Singh added.

He further said that Punjab is already reeling under a fiscal emergency-like situation due to the AAP government’s uncontrolled borrowing spree. “They have promised free healthcare worth ₹10 lakh per family when the state treasury is already empty. Government lands are being auctioned to raise money — this is not governance, this is desperation,” he warned.

“The health of our citizens should never become a casualty of political one-upmanship,” Singh said, reiterating that the Congress stands for both accountability and compassion in governance.