Ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections scheduled for February 5, 2025, the Delhi Congress has announced its second key guarantee, the “Jeevan Raksha Yojana,” aimed at providing free medical treatment worth up to ₹25 lakh for every resident of Delhi. This follows the party’s first guarantee, the “Pyari Didi Yojana,” which promises ₹2,500 per month to every woman in Delhi.
Addressing the media at the DPCC office, Rajiv Bhawan, former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot promised that, if elected, the Congress government in Delhi would take responsibility for the health of its citizens. He announced that the Jeevan Raksha Yojana would be modeled after Rajasthan’s successful Chiranjeevi Yojana, offering universal health insurance for all age groups, from birth to old age. The scheme will cover treatment in both government and private hospitals, ensuring free healthcare for all Delhi residents. Gehlot described the initiative as a “game-changer” and a crucial step toward transforming governance in the capital.
Gehlot shared that under Rajasthan’s Chiranjeevi Swasthya Bima Yojana, 55 lakh people benefited from health services, with free treatment up to ₹25 lakh provided in government and private hospitals. The scheme covered over 1,000 medical procedures, including critical illnesses like COVID-19, and offered accidental coverage of ₹10 lakh. Benefits included organ transplants and diagnostic services like CT, MRI, and Doppler tests. Out-of-pocket healthcare expenses were significantly reduced, with the Congress government in Rajasthan bringing it down from 74% to 45% during 2018-19.
Criticizing the Central Government’s Ayushman Bharat Yojana, Gehlot highlighted its limited reach, covering only 40% of families eligible under the social, economic, and caste census for ₹5 lakh insurance. He emphasized that a nationwide implementation of the Chiranjeevi Yojana could benefit millions, citing Rajasthan’s example where patients received immediate treatment under the scheme, including expenses for five days before and 15 days after hospitalization.
Delhi Congress Chief, Devender Yadav, stressed the urgency of the Jeevan Raksha Yojana in Delhi, citing the deteriorating health conditions caused by polluted air, contaminated water, and adulterated food. Yadav accused the Kejriwal government of failing to strengthen Delhi’s healthcare system, pointing to dysfunctional Mohalla Clinics that lack doctors, medicines, and testing facilities. He highlighted alarming health statistics in Delhi, including 10,182 dengue cases, 163,388 diarrhea cases, 381,292 breathing disorders, 16,256 typhoid cases, 12,326 pneumonia cases, 76,831 TB cases, and 97,484 diabetes cases, underscoring the need for immediate action.
Yadav affirmed Congress’ commitment to improving Delhi’s healthcare system, citing the party’s trust in the Jeevan Raksha Yojana and the backing of leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Ashok Gehlot. He assured Delhi residents that if Congress forms the government after the election results on February 8, the Jeevan Raksha Yojana would be implemented immediately, taking responsibility for the health and well-being of every individual in Delhi.
