CM extends PM-JAY to include widows, disability pensioners

The Rekha Gupta Government on Tuesday took a historic and transformative decision in the field of health security in the national Capital as widow pension beneficiaries and persons with disabilities receiving Government pensions have now been brought under the ambit of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY).

Their families will also be eligible to avail benefits under the scheme,’ said a Delhi Government press release. The Chief Minister said that this decision will bring direct and meaningful change to the lives of lakhs of needy families. The decision was taken during a Cabinet meeting chaired by the Chief Minister. Providing details, CM informed that approximately 3,96,615 widow pension beneficiaries and around 1,31,515 beneficiaries under the disability pension scheme will directly benefit.

She reiterated that the government is firmly committed to ensuring that no poor, vulnerable or needy citizen of Delhi is deprived of medical treatment due to financial constraints. The Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) is the country’s largest health protection scheme, and the Delhi Government has taken a significant step to make it more effective and inclusive.

The Chief Minister further stated that following this decision, approximately 5.5 lakh additional families will come under a robust health security cover.

These families will be in addition to those already covered under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Priority Household (PRS) categories, senior citizens above 70 years of age, Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) workers, Anganwadi workers and helpers.

She added that the decision is a strong step towards realising the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas aur Sabka Prayas.” Through Ayushman Bharat, the Prime Minister has ensured health security for crores of poor families across the country, and the Delhi Government remains committed to extending the benefits of the scheme to every eligible individual in the capital.

The Chief Minister emphasised that the government’s objective is clear: no eligible citizen should be deprived of quality and affordable healthcare services. She informed that 7,23,707 Ayushman cards have been issued in Delhi so far, including 2,74,620 cards to senior citizens. For effective implementation of the scheme in the Capital, a network of 208 hospitals has been empanelled, comprising 156 private and 53 Government hospitals.

Through the State Health Agency (SHA) in Delhi, more than 29,120 beneficiaries have received treatment under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) to date. She said this is not merely an administrative decision but a commitment linked to the health and dignity of every needy family in Delhi.