Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had a telephone conversation today with H.E. (Dr.) Alexander Van der Bellen, Federal President of the Republic of Austria.

The Austrian President condoled the damage caused in India by Cyclone Amphan. The leaders exchanged views on measures taken in their countries to manage the adverse health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.  They agreed on the importance of international collaboration to deal with the present challenges. 


Both the leaders reiterated their shared desire to further strengthen and diversify India-Austria relations in the post-Covid world. The Prime Minister highlighted the opportunities for enhanced cooperation in sectors like infrastructure, technology, research and innovation, SMEs, etc.

The leaders shared the hope that the world would soon overcome the current health crisis, so as to be able to focus on longer-term concerns like the health of the environment. 
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BJP President Slams Punjab Government of AAP for mismanagement of Ayushman Bharat Payments
September 20, 2024

The Private Hospital and Nursing Home Association (PHANA) in Punjab has declared a halt to cashless treatments under the government's health insurance schemes, including the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). This decision comes in response to the state government's unpaid debts amounting to Rs 600 crores. PHANA stated that private healthcare facilities across Punjab will only participate in these schemes once the state government clears the outstanding dues. 

JP Nadda, Union Health Minister and President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), reacted to these developments in Punjab. He said, “Ayushman Bharat was conceptualised to aid the economically backward families with ensured medical cover, and today, due to the mismanagement of the state government, under the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab, people have lost access to free healthcare”. Questioning Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Nadda stated, “Why has Chief Minister Mann’s government not cleared the dues of the private hospitals? Before the elections, they promised more clinics and health centres, but today, his government cannot work for the cause of the poor”. 

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab has been under severe financial stress since 2023, given the rising state debt and depleting revenues with the increasing cost of subsidies. 

“I urge CM Mann to clear the dues of the hospitals as soon as possible, for there are many families, especially our hardworking farmers, benefitting under the Ayushman Bharat programme. Instead of cheering on the party unit in Delhi, it would suit to CM Mann to concentrate on the dwindling state of affairs in Punjab”, Nadda added.