Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta jointly launched the Ayushman Vay Vandana Yojana on Monday at Thyagaraj Stadium, marking a major healthcare milestone for the capital’s senior citizens. As part of the rollout, Ayushman Bharat cards were distributed to citizens aged 70 and above, providing them with free medical treatment coverage of up to Rs 10 lakh.
Under this initiative, senior citizens will be entitled to Rs 5 lakh in health cover from the Centre and an additional Rs 5 lakh from the Delhi government, ensuring enhanced healthcare access for the elderly regardless of their socio-economic background. Notably, even those without the new card can avail benefits by simply presenting their Aadhaar card.
Politicians response
BJP MP Manoj Tiwari, speaking at the event, highlighted the commitment of the BJP-led government. “Whether you have the card or not, if you’re 70 or above, you can show your Aadhaar and get treatment,” he said.
Echoing this sentiment, BJP MLA Satish Upadhyay recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s promise, emphasising, “Every person above 70 in Delhi will receive this benefit without conditions.”
Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra called it a “wonderful day” for the city, noting the inclusive nature of the scheme. “This benefit transcends community or income. It’s a major step forward in improving healthcare access,” he stated.
Delhi Minister Ashish Sood praised the increased coverage, saying, “Inspired by PM Modi’s vision, CM Rekha Gupta has doubled the amount to Rs 10 lakh. This will revolutionise Delhi’s healthcare landscape.”
BJP leader Praveen Khandelwal and MP Bansuri Swaraj also addressed the gathering, applauding the central and state governments for delivering on a long-awaited promise. “This is the ‘Modi hai toh mumkin hai’ moment for Delhi’s elderly,” Swaraj remarked.
What is Vay Vandana Card?
The Ayushman Vay Vandana Card extends a Rs 5 lakh annual health cover to every citizen aged 70+, regardless of income or prior scheme eligibility. Those already under the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY scheme will receive an additional Rs 5 lakh as a top-up. Beneficiaries of other government or private health schemes must choose between their existing coverage or the new offering.
This launch aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s October 2024 announcement expanding the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana to cover all senior citizens aged 70 and above across India.
With the first 90 cards distributed during the event, the program is set to benefit lakhs of senior citizens in Delhi, significantly reducing their out-of-pocket health expenses and improving access to quality treatment.
(With ANI Inputs)