New Desk, Delhi, In a major move ahead of the Delhi Legislative Assembly elections, the Congress Party has announced the ‘Jeevan Raksha Yojana,’ a welfare scheme promising free medical treatment worth up to ₹25 lakh for the residents of Delhi. The announcement is part of Congress’ broader strategy to attract voters with impactful welfare programs.
The scheme was unveiled on Wednesday by former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Delhi Congress Chief Qazi Nizamuddin. They emphasized that the initiative would ensure access to quality healthcare for all if Congress is elected to power in the upcoming elections.
Jeevan Raksha Yojana: A Game-Changing Healthcare Promise
The Jeevan Raksha Yojana aims to provide financial relief to families struggling with medical expenses. According to Congress leaders, the scheme is modeled on similar successful initiatives implemented in Karnataka under the Congress-led government.
The announcement comes at a time when all major political parties in Delhi are focusing on welfare-oriented poll promises. The Congress’ healthcare initiative stands out for its substantial coverage of ₹25 lakh, making it one of the most ambitious medical schemes proposed in the national capital.
Congress’ Focus on Women-Centric Policies
In addition to healthcare, Congress has also launched the ‘Pyari Didi Yojana,’ which promises financial assistance of ₹2,500 per month to women in Delhi. This scheme mirrors successful initiatives like the Shakti program in Karnataka, where women-centric policies have significantly improved Congress’ electoral performance.
The announcement of the Pyari Didi Yojana comes as a direct response to the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) ‘Mukhya Mantri Mahila Samman Yojna,’ under which Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal pledged ₹1,000 per month to women in the capital, with a promise to increase the amount to ₹2,100 post-elections.
Competing Welfare Promises from Rival Parties
The welfare race is heating up as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also make significant promises to woo voters. On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured Delhiites that no ongoing welfare schemes would be discontinued if the BJP formed the government. He urged citizens to “get rid of the Kejriwal-led administration” and trust the BJP to deliver on its commitments.
Meanwhile, Congress leaders are doubling down on their claim of delivering on promises, citing the example of Karnataka’s welfare success stories.
Karnataka’s Welfare Model: A Blueprint for Delhi
Highlighting the achievements in Karnataka, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar mentioned that the Congress government fulfilled its guarantees within three months of taking office. Key initiatives in Karnataka include:
- Free bus travel for women.
- 10 kg of rice per household.
- ₹3,000 monthly assistance for unemployed youth.
- 200 units of free electricity per household.
- ₹2,000 per month for 1.22 crore women.
Such welfare measures have bolstered Congress’ credibility and serve as the foundation for similar promises in Delhi.
Election Timeline and Key Dates
The elections for the 70-member Delhi Legislative Assembly are set to take place in a single phase on February 5, with the counting of votes scheduled for February 8. As the election date approaches, all major parties are ramping up their efforts to connect with voters through developmental schemes and welfare initiatives.
Congress’ Vision for Delhi
The Jeevan Raksha Yojana and Pyari Didi Yojana reflect Congress’ commitment to addressing healthcare and gender equity issues in the national capital. By focusing on healthcare affordability and women’s empowerment, the party aims to position itself as a champion of welfare and progress in Delhi.
With competing promises from the AAP and BJP, voters will have to weigh their options and choose the party that aligns with their aspirations for a better future.
