CHANDIGARH: Senior Congress leader Pargat Singh, MLA and Secretary of the AICC, 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.
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.