The Sanjeevani Yojana is a health scheme proposed by the Delhi government, specifically designed to address the medical needs of the capital's senior citizens. The eligibility criteria for the scheme are straightforward and primarily based on age and residency, with no restrictions related to income levels. This inclusive approach aims to remove the financial burden of healthcare for all elderly residents of Delhi, regardless of their financial status.
Core Eligibility Criteria for Sanjeevani Yojana
To be eligible for the Sanjeevani Yojana, an individual must satisfy two main criteria:
- Age: The applicant must be a senior citizen, which is defined as being 60 years of age or above.
- Residency: The applicant must be a permanent resident of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Proof of residency, such as a voter ID or Aadhaar card, is required to demonstrate eligibility.
How Does Income Affect Eligibility?
A notable feature of the Sanjeevani Yojana is that it has no income-based restrictions. Unlike many other government schemes that target specific income brackets, this program is designed to be universal for its target demographic. This means that both Above Poverty Line (APL) and Below Poverty Line (BPL) senior citizens in Delhi can avail of the benefits.
- No Income Limit: The scheme does not impose any maximum annual income cap for applicants.
- Universal Coverage: It provides free treatment to both wealthy and poor residents above 60 years old.
This broadens the scope of the scheme significantly, ensuring that a wider population of the elderly can access free medical care without needing to prove financial hardship.
The Registration and Application Process
According to announcements made by former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the registration process for the Sanjeevani Yojana is designed to be hassle-free and convenient for the elderly.
- Door-to-door registration: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) volunteers are tasked with visiting the homes of senior citizens to assist with the registration process. This means that applicants do not need to visit government offices or stand in queues.
- Required documents: During the registration drive, seniors are required to have a valid photo identity proof, such as a Voter ID or Aadhaar card, to confirm their permanent residency in Delhi.
- Kejriwal Kavach Card: Upon successful registration, beneficiaries are issued a "Kejriwal Kavach Card" or similar health card, which they can use to access the free healthcare services.
Benefits of the Sanjeevani Yojana
The scheme promises comprehensive healthcare benefits to eligible senior citizens.
- No Upper Limit on Expenses: Unlike some other health schemes, the Sanjeevani Yojana has no cap on the amount of money spent on a beneficiary's treatment. All treatment expenditures will be borne by the Delhi government.
- Private and Public Hospital Access: Eligible seniors can avail of free treatment in both government and private hospitals that are empanelled under the scheme.
Sanjeevani Yojana vs. Central Government's Ayushman Bharat
It is important to differentiate between the Delhi government's proposed Sanjeevani Yojana and the central government's Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY). The two schemes have different eligibility criteria and benefits.
| Feature | Sanjeevani Yojana (Delhi) | Ayushman Bharat (Central) |
|---|---|---|
| Beneficiary Age | All Delhi residents aged 60 and above. | All citizens aged 70 and above will be eligible for health coverage under Ayushman Vay Vandana Yojana. |
| Income Criteria | No income limit; universal coverage for eligible senior citizens. | Targets poor and vulnerable families based on Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 criteria. |
| Treatment Cost Limit | No upper limit on treatment costs for beneficiaries. | Provides a health cover of Rs. 5 lakhs per family per year. |
| Hospital Access | Available in empanelled government and private hospitals in Delhi. | Provides cashless hospitalization in public and private empanelled hospitals across India. |
| Implementation | To be implemented by the AAP government if voted back to power. | Implemented by the National Health Authority (NHA) in participating states/UTs. |
Potential Challenges and Current Status
It is important to note that as of late 2024, the scheme was announced but its implementation was subject to the AAP being re-elected in the Delhi elections. Additionally, a notice from Delhi's Health and Family Welfare department reportedly red-flagged the registration drive, stating that no such official scheme was in existence at that time. This indicates that while the proposal and registration efforts were underway, final implementation depended on political outcomes and official administrative processes.
Conclusion
The Sanjeevani Yojana is a proposed health initiative targeting senior citizens in Delhi. All permanent residents of Delhi aged 60 and above would be eligible for free treatment in empanelled public and private hospitals, without any income-based restrictions or caps on treatment costs. The registration process involves AAP volunteers conducting door-to-door visits to enroll eligible seniors and issue the Kejriwal Kavach Card, ensuring easy access to benefits. It is a distinct policy from the central government's Ayushman Bharat scheme, offering broader, unrestricted coverage to Delhi's elderly population. Prospective beneficiaries should keep updated on the scheme's official implementation status following the elections.
See Also: Other Delhi Health Schemes
For more information on other government health schemes in Delhi, visit the Directorate General of Health Services website for details on initiatives like the Delhi Arogya Kosh.
