Delhi Budget: Bidhuri urges CM to restore healthcare benefits for scribes

BJP MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri urged Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta to reinstate healthcare benefits for accredited journalists in the upcoming Budget and resume Ayurveda treatment for Delhi government employees, both of which were discontinued during the AAP government’s tenure.

Bidhuri said in 1995, during the BJP rule, the Delhi government had introduced a provision allowing accredited journalists to receive medical treatment similar to ‘A’ class officers. The Directorate of Information and Publicity facilitated this, with bills being reimbursed post-treatment. However, this facility was scrapped under Arvind Kejriwal’s government.

He highlighted that Central Government-accredited journalists continue to receive CGHS health cards, enabling them to access treatment at designated hospitals. Suggesting a similar model for Delhi, he urged the government to issue DGHS health cards to accredited journalists, which would streamline medical reimbursements and eliminate bureaucratic delays.

Additionally, Bidhuri criticised the previous AAP government’s ban on Ayurveda treatment for Delhi government employees. Stressing that Ayurveda is a safe and effective form of treatment, he said: “Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been advocating for the promotion of Ayurveda.”

He suggested that Delhi government employees be allowed to avail of Ayurveda treatment from institutes already empanelled under the CGHS, until a comprehensive system is restored. He claimed that employees had been demanding this facility for a long time, but the previous AAP government neglected these concerns.

Calling these measures “public welfare initiatives”, Bidhuri urged the Rekha Gupta-led government to prioritise them in the upcoming Delhi Budget.