To appeal to Delhi voters ahead of next month’s Assembly elections, the Congress party unveiled the ‘Jeevan Raksha Yojana’, a health insurance scheme offering coverage of up to Rs 25 lakh for all residents of the national capital.
Senior party leaders Ashok Gehlot, Qazi Nizamuddin, and Delhi Congress chief Devender Yadav made the announcement at a press conference on Wednesday.
Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot stated, “Rajasthan is the only state to implement the Universal Bima Yojana, which provides full health coverage across every section of society, rich or poor. Approximately 80-90 per cent of the population benefits from this scheme.”
Gehlot stated that the ‘Jeevan Raksha Yojana’ is based on the successful Chiranjeevi Yojana from Rajasthan.
“I am happy to announce that under the name ‘Jeevan Raksha Yojana,’ the Congress committee has decided to include this in our manifesto for the Delhi Assembly elections,” he added.
Gehlot emphasized the success of the Chiranjeevi Yojana in Rajasthan, showcasing how it has transformed lives.
The scheme will cover all hospitals, both private and public, and include medical services such as MRI, CT scans, dialysis, and organ transplants, even if the treatment costs exceed the promised Rs 25 lakh.
Devender Yadav, Delhi Congress chief, highlighted the pressing health concerns in Delhi due to pollution and contamination in the air, water, and food.
He noted, “The government has ignored these issues, which is why we decided to announce this scheme.”
This announcement follows Congress’s 6 January launch of the ‘Pyari Didi Yojana,’ which promises a monthly Rs 2,500 to women in Delhi. The party assured that both schemes would be immediately implemented if it won the upcoming election.
Delhi Assembly Elections: Voting On 5 February, Results On 8 February
Earlier on Tuesday, the Election Commission of India (ECI) declared 5 February as the polling date for the 70-member Delhi Legislative Assembly, with results to be announced on 8 February.
The official election process begins with the issuance of the Gazette Notification on 10 January. The last date for filing nominations is 17 January, followed by scrutiny on 18 January. Candidates can withdraw their nominations until 20 January.
The entire election process must conclude by 10 February, as the current Assembly’s term ends on 23 February.
Rajiv Kumar, Chief Election Commissioner detailed the electoral setup for Delhi, which comprises 70 constituencies, including 58 general and 12 reserved for Scheduled Castes, spanning 11 districts.
The national capital has a total of 1.55 crore voters, with 83.49 lakh male voters, 71.74 lakh female voters, and 25.89 lakh young voters.
There will be 13,033 polling stations, including 70 managed by women and another 70 set up for Persons with Disabilities (PwD).
The voter base in Delhi has grown notably, as indicated by a revised voter list released on Monday.
From 1,53,57,529 registered voters in October 2024, the number increased to 1,55,24,858 by December, reflecting an addition of 1,67,329 new voters.
The Commission emphasized vigilance against the submission of false or fabricated documents for voter registration, cautioning that such violations would face strict action.
The election will set the stage for a competitive political battle, as parties prepare to woo Delhi’s voters ahead of February’s decisive poll.
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