Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani Sunday flayed caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao for not implementing the Centre's ambitious PMJAY health insurance scheme in Telangana. Addressing a BJP workers meeting at Amberpet assembly constituency here, she said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's promise to help the poor tackle health problems had led to the launch of the Ayushman Bharat scheme, which provides Rs five lakh insurance cover.

"It is sad why this scheme was not accepted in the state. Party workers tell me that there are several other schemes of the Central government which the TRS government is scared of implementing because they feel Modi will become more popular. Modi is popular and remains popular and that's why he became the Prime Minister," Irani said.