Cong promises Rs 25L health cover

A day after the announcement of the date for the Delhi Assembly elections, the Congress rolled out a significant electoral promise aimed at addressing the city’s healthcare challenges.

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Senior Congress leader and former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot unveiled the party’s “Jeevan Raksha Yojana,” promising health insurance of Rs 25 lakh per family, if the party is voted to power.

Describing the scheme as a potential “game-changer”, Gehlot emphasised its importance in addressing the critical healthcare needs of Delhi residents.

“The chances of the Congress forming the government in Delhi are increasing. I believe this is also necessary for the country,” Gehlot said, expressing confidence in the party’s prospects in the upcoming elections.

The proposed “Jeevan Raksha Yojana” is designed to provide comprehensive health coverage for Delhi residents, including expenses related to critical illnesses, hospitalisations and essential treatments.

“This reflects the commitment of the Congress to ensuring healthcare for all,” Gehlot stated, outlining the party’s vision to tackle the city’s ailing healthcare system.

The party’s campaign slogan, “Hogi Har Zarurat Puri, Congress Hai Zaroori” was prominently displayed during the announcement, underscoring the Congress’ commitment to meeting essential needs and improving the quality of life for Delhiites.

The “Jeevan Raksha Yojana” is the second major promise made by the Congress during the election campaign. Earlier, the party promised Rs 2,500 per month to every woman in Delhi under the “Pyari Didi Yojana”. Gehlot said “Jeevan Raksha Yojana” was introduced on the lines of “Chiranjeevi Yojana”, which was successful in Rajasthan.

Delhi Congress president Devendra Yadav criticised the handling of the city’s healthcare system by the present government. “The BJP and AAP have made Delhi sick,” Yadav asserted, emphasising the urgent need for such a scheme in a city grappling with multiple health-related issues.

Yadav pointed to the deteriorating environmental conditions in Delhi, including air pollution and contaminated water, as major contributors to the rise in health problems. “Air here is poisonous, water is contaminated and people are suffering from serious diseases due to food adulteration,” he said.

“Today, the Capital looks sick because Arvind Kejriwal has destroyed the health system in Delhi hospitals in the last 11 years,” Yadav said.

Yadav also lambasted the Kejriwal administration’s failure to improve the healthcare system, specifically highlighting the underfunded Mohalla clinics. “Poor people of Delhi are dependent on these clinics. There is no doctor, no medicine, no testing facility and no proper environment for treatment at these clinics,” he said.

Citing alarming statistics on disease prevalence, Yadav said the Kejriwal government had failed to control outbreaks and improve public health. “Last year, Delhi saw 10,182 cases of dengue, 1,63,388 cases of diarrhoea, 3,81,292 cases of breathing problems, 16,256 cases of typhoid, 12,326 cases of pneumonia, 76,831 cases of TB and 97,484 cases of diabetes,” he noted, calling the government’s handling of public health a “complete failure.”