New Delhi [India], April 28 (ANI): Union Minister Hardeep Puri on Monday praised the Delhi Chief Minister and her team for their significant accomplishments within just 65 days of taking office. Speaking at the Ayushman Bharat cards distribution event, Puri said that although it has not even been 100 days since she assumed charge on February 20, 2025, her administration has already achieved significant milestones. During this period, they have begun working on reducing air pollution from the Yamuna River and addressing the issue of garbage dumps.
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta distributed Ayushman Bharat cards to eligible senior citizens under the Pradhan Mantri Vay Vandana Yojana at the Thyagaraj Stadium in New Delhi on Monday.
Minister Puri called the effort “truly commendable” and added, “Today, this health sector initiative is truly commendable. I’d be happy to share my personal experience with you. When Prime Minister Modi included me in his team in 2017, I had previously served as a foreign service officer for approximately 40 years, working in multiple countries and analysing healthcare systems in advanced industrial democracies. If we analyse these systems, we’ll find that they have many problems, such as dependence on insurance premiums and limited hospital options, leading to long waiting times for appointments.”
Puri pointed out that, despite their global reputation, many such systems struggle with such problems as high dependence on insurance premiums, restricted hospital choices, and long waiting periods for appointments. “Our hospitals are world-class compared to other countries. 47 private hospitals have already been empanelled for this scheme, I believe more hospitals will join,” he stated.
During the event, CM Gupta lauded the launch of the first program by the “triple-engine” government. She shared touching stories from her experience.
“There was a time when old people used to meet me and say my children threw me out of the house. Some parents would say that their financial situation is not good, and there is no money for treatment. How can I ask my son to get me treated? When we organised small health camps to distribute glasses or hearing aids, elderly people would come and say, ‘Oh, finally, I got my glasses made; they were broken for many days.’ Or, finally, I got a hearing aid, CM Gupta said.
CM Gupta also highlighted that this initiative aims to cater to the needs of senior citizens from all walks of life.
” When we distributed cards, an elderly street vendor came, and a retired bank employee also came. People from all walks of life attended, whether they arrived in a BMW or a bicycle – everyone is a beneficiary. Only two things are required: being a resident of Delhi and having an Aadhaar card.”, she added.
Registration for the scheme officially began on Monday. Under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, the government will bear the cost of treatment for eligible beneficiaries.
CM Gupta also took a jibe at the previous AAP government, alleging that it had obstructed the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat scheme in Delhi for the past seven years, depriving millions of elderly citizens of a vital service.
PM Modi had in October last year announced the expansion of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) to include all senior citizens aged 70 years and above. The Ayushman Vay Vandana Card offers a free health cover of Rs 5 lakh to all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, regardless of their socio-economic status. Senior citizens aged 70 years and above, who are already covered under the AB PM-JAY scheme, receive an additional top-up cover of up to Rs 5 lakh per year for themselves.
Senior citizens, who are already availing benefits of various government schemes including Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), and Ayushman Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) have to choose between their existing scheme or can opt for AB PM-JAY. Additionally, persons covered by private health insurance coverage or members of the Employees’ State Insurance scheme are eligible to benefit from AB PM-JAY. (ANI)
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