New Delhi: On Sunday, Delhi Minister Ashish Sood distributed Ayushman cards to ten senior citizens in his assembly constituency of Janakpuri, as part of the Delhi government’s insurance policy and pension scheme. “During our election campaign, we promised that Ayushman cards would be prioritized for the senior citizens of Janakpuri, and today we are fulfilling that promise,” he stated at an event organized to honor him for his recent appointment as a senior minister in the Delhi government.
The Ayushman cards were issued under the Delhi government’s Vay Vandana Yojana. Notably, five of the recipients were among the first beneficiaries when Ayushman cards were initially distributed in Delhi. Minister Sood, who oversees the education and home portfolios, emphasized the significance of the Ayushman card, describing it as a “portable license” that ensures timely medical treatment without imposing a financial burden during emergencies. He also mentioned that each beneficiary receives a comprehensive list of hospitals where the card is accepted, with 48 hospitals currently empaneled under the scheme.
“Individuals requiring surgery or treatment can access medical care worth up to ₹10 lakh at no cost,” he added.
आज A3 ब्लॉक, जनकपुरी में जनता को आयुष्मान भारत प्रधानमंत्री जन आरोग्य योजना के कार्ड वितरित किए गए। हमने चुनाव में स्वस्थ जनकपुरी का वादा किया था, और इस संकल्प को पूरा करने के लिए हम पूरी तरह कटिबद्ध हैं।
— Ashish Sood (@ashishsood_bjp) May 18, 2025
यह पहल हर नागरिक को स्वास्थ्य सुरक्षा प्रदान करेगी। आयुष्मान कार्ड से… pic.twitter.com/takboc7gKQ
Since the launch of the Ayushman Bharat scheme in Delhi earlier this year, a total of 242,732 health cards have been issued, enabling eligible residents to receive cashless treatment at participating hospitals, according to the minister.
The Delhi government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the central government on April 5 to implement the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), making Delhi the 35th state or Union Territory to join this initiative.
Under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), eligible families are entitled to annual health coverage of up to ₹10 lakh. This amount is comprised of ₹5 lakh funded by the Central Government and an additional ₹5 lakh provided by the Delhi Government.
Furthermore, the recently introduced Vay Vandana Yojana offers free medical treatment of up to ₹10 lakh for citizens aged 70 and above. This initiative has already registered an impressive 72,167 senior citizens, reflecting its positive impact on the community.
