Controversy over Rajasthan Health Minister’s remark on right to health

13 FEBRUARY 2026

Rajasthan Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar’s adverse remarks on the Right to Health Act in the State Assembly sparked a controversy and led to a ruckus in the House.
The Right to Health Act was legislated in 2023 before the previous Congress government’s term ended, making Rajasthan the first State to give a statutory status to health care as a right.
The rules under the Act could not be framed because of imposition of the model code of conduct ahead of the Assembly election.
Speaking during the Question Hour, Mr. Khimsar said the then Congress regime had enacted the law ahead of polls to “draw political mileage” and added that Ayushman Bharat and Chief Minister’s Ayushman Aarogya Yojana were operative in the State to cater to all needs of medical care for the patients.
“What is the need for a law on right to health?” Mr. Khimsar asked, leading to a vociferous objection by the Opposition Congress MLAs, who raised slogans and trooped to the well of the House.
Amid the stormy scenes, Congress members staged a walkout in protest against the dissatisfactory reply by the Minister and the hints of scrapping the legislation.

Ayushman Bharat

Ayushman Bharat is India’s flagship public health scheme launched in 2018 to provide affordable healthcare, especially to poor and vulnerable families.
It has two main components:

1. Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY)

Key Features:

2. Health & Wellness Centres (HWCs)

Upgrade of Sub-centres and PHCs
Focus on preventive and primary healthcare
Services include:
- Maternal & child care
- Non-communicable diseases screening
- Free essential drugs & diagnostics