On Thursday, the Delhi Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, approved the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat scheme, marking a significant step in fulfilling the BJP’s manifesto promises. Gupta, in her first press conference following the cabinet meeting, outlined two major agenda items discussed and passed: the implementation of Ayushman Bharat in Delhi and the tabling of 14 Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports in the Assembly’s upcoming sitting.
The Ayushman Bharat Yojana, a flagship initiative of the central government, will provide free medical treatment up to Rs 5 lakh for low-income households in Delhi. In an effort to further support the city’s vulnerable populations, the BJP government plans to extend an additional Rs 5 lakh cover for these households. Additionally, the elderly—specifically those over the age of 70—will benefit from free OPD and diagnostic services, as well as free treatment up to Rs 10 lakh. This is part of the BJP’s broader promise to provide better healthcare to Delhi’s citizens and alleviate the financial burden of medical expenses, particularly for the marginalized.
Gupta’s statement also addressed a significant challenge that the BJP faces in rolling out this scheme—the previous AAP government’s opposition to it. The AAP had moved the court against the implementation of Ayushman Bharat in Delhi, citing concerns over its feasibility and impact. Gupta, however, reassured that the BJP had already initiated the legal proceedings to reverse this opposition. She mentioned that once the proceedings were completed, the scheme would be made available to the public. In practical terms, this means that Delhi residents can expect further developments once the formalities are wrapped up and an MoU is signed with the Centre.
On another note, Gupta spoke briefly about the Mahila Samman Yojana, a welfare scheme under which the BJP had promised to provide monthly assistance of Rs 2,500 to every woman in Delhi. While the proposal was discussed, Gupta emphasized that more details needed to be finalized, and further discussions would take place at the next cabinet meeting.
This cabinet meeting’s approval of the Ayushman Bharat scheme and the discussions around other welfare policies signal the BJP’s commitment to fulfilling its electoral promises. The Ayushman Bharat rollout, in particular, represents a tangible promise aimed at improving the lives of Delhi’s low-income and elderly populations, reinforcing the party’s focus on healthcare and social welfare.
However, the political backdrop of the announcement adds complexity to the situation. The BJP’s move to implement the scheme directly counters the AAP government’s previous stance, raising questions about the political motivations behind such decisions. The two CAG reports that were tabled last month—critical of the AAP government for the excessive expenses on the CM house renovation and the Rs 2,000 crore loss due to the controversial excise policy—have already put the AAP on the defensive. With the BJP now advancing Ayushman Bharat, it may be positioning itself as the more responsible and health-conscious alternative to AAP, particularly as Delhi heads into further political battles.
While the approval of Ayushman Bharat is a significant step forward in the BJP’s agenda, it is also a reminder of the ongoing political tug-of-war between the BJP and AAP. Gupta’s comments on the scheme reflect a strategic move to assert the BJP’s dominance on the issue of healthcare in Delhi, while also signaling that further political maneuvering will likely follow as the party seeks to counter AAP’s influence in the capital.
