Shatrughan Sinha joins Yashwant Sinha’s farmers’ protest in MP, questions ‘Modicare’

The National Health Protection Scheme, announced in the Union Budget, will require Rs 1,25,000 crore for premium payment, which is more than the allocation for health sector in the budgets of the Centre and the states put together, BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha said.

Joining fellow disgruntled Bharatiya Janata Party leader Yashwant Sinha in a protest over farmers’ issues, MP Shatrughan Sinha has questioned viability of the health insurance scheme announced in the Union Budget.

Bharatiya Janata Party MP Shatrughan Sinha speaks to the media on his arrival at Narsinghpur in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, on Sunday. (PTI Photo)

The actor-turned-politician reached Narsinghpur in Madhya Pradesh on Sunday, where former finance minister Yashwant Sinha has launched a sit-in protest for farmers whose lands would be acquired for a thermal power plant.

The National Health Protection Scheme announced by finance minister Arun Jaitley would require Rs 1,25,000 crore for premium payment, which is more than the allocation for health sector in the budgets of the Centre and the states put together, Shatrughan Sinha said.

“Where would this money come from,” he asked, addressing the gathering.

The BJP MP recently joined Rashtra Manch, a political platform floated by Yashwant Sinha. Rashtra Manch has organised the sit-in outside Narsinghpur collector’s office since February 1.

Earlier in the day, the Madhya Pradesh unit of AAP joined in Sinha’s agitation.

Agrawal further said Sinha’s protest is to press for several demands, among them jobs for farmers who will be displaced by the upcoming coal-fired power project.