Delhi, December 19, 2024 (Punjab Khabarnama Bureau): Ahead of the Assembly elections in the national capital in February, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday announced that people aged above 60 will get free treatment under the Sanjivani Yojana in government and private hospitals, if the party comes to power in 2025.
Announcing the scheme, Kejriwal said: “It’s now my responsibility to ensure the health of every elderly in Delhi. In return, all we seek is their blessings”.
The scheme will cover all expenses for treatment in private or government hospitals without any income or socio-economic restrictions. Any senior citizen having a Delhi voter ID will be eligible for the scheme, the party announced. There will also be no upper limit on the expenses.
“We have the utmost respect for our elders. It is because of you that we exist today. You are the ones who have brought our nation to where it is today… Now in your old age, it becomes our duty, as your children, to take care of you,” the former Delhi Chief Minister said.
He mentioned that earlier the party successfully launched the ‘Mukhyamantri Teerth Yatra Yojana’, wherein he claimed that about 1 lakh senior citizens have so far undertaken pilgrimages to various parts of the country. These destinations include Rameswaram, Shirdi Baba, Ajmer Sharif, Ayodhya, Mathura-Vrindavan, Rishikesh, Jagannath Puri and Dwarkadhish. The Delhi Government bore all expenses under the scheme.
“Under this scheme, all senior citizens aged above 60 will get free treatment in government and private hospitals. The entire cost of the treatment will be borne by the Delhi Government. There will be upper limit on expenses,” Kejriwal said.
Registration for the scheme will begin in two-three days, he announced. “AAP volunteers will visit your homes, complete your registration and provide you with a card. Keep this card safe. Once our government is formed, this scheme will be passed, and your son will take full responsibility for keeping you healthy in your old age,” he said.
“In return, I only ask for your blessings — bless me, bless the people of Delhi, bless the country and bless the world,” he concluded.
Kejriwal also shared the announcement on X, saying, “The elders of Delhi have always considered me as their son. Today, I am going to fulfill my duty. If AAP wins, all citizens above 60 years of age in Delhi will get free treatment under the Sanjivani Yojana. Whether the hospital is government or private, whatever be the cost of treatment, now the complete treatment of the elderly is my responsibility.”
AAP leader and former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia said: “This is not just a scheme but a promise of respect and a better life for our elders”.
“A son should be like Arvind Kejriwal. First, he became a Shravan Kumar for Delhi by arranging pilgrimages for over 1 lakh elders. Now, he introduced the Sanjivani Scheme for the well-being of the elderly,” CM Atishi said in a post on X.
Summary: AAP promises free treatment for senior citizens through the Sanjivani Yojana to improve their access to healthcare.