The Impressive TimesNew Delhi, 28 April 2025: In a historic move for senior citizens aged 70 years and above, the Delhi Government today launched the “Vay Vandana Yojana.” Chief Minister Mrs. Rekha Gupta formally inaugurated the scheme during a grand ceremony at Thyagaraj Stadium. On this occasion, Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri. Hardeep Singh Puri, Delhi Cabinet Ministers Shri. Parvesh Sahib Singh, Shri Ashish Sood, Shri Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Shri Ravinder Indraj Singh, Shri Kapil Mishra, Dr. Pankaj Singh, Mayor Shri Raja Iqbal Singh, MP Shri Manoj Tiwari, Shri Ramveer Singh Bidhuri, Shri Praveen Kumar Khandelwal, Shri Bansuri Swaraj, Shri Yogendra Chandolia, Smt. Kamaljeet Sahrawat, and several MLAs along with thousands of senior citizens from Delhi were present. On this occasion, CM Smt. Rekha Gupta distributed ‘Vay Vandana Cards’ to the attending senior citizens.
Speaking at the event, Chief Guest Shri Hardeep Singh Puri said that the launch of ‘Vay Vandana Yojana’ is a historic step for senior citizens. He stated that Delhi’s “Triple Engine Government” is accelerating developmental works. He also criticized the previous Delhi Government for not implementing the Ayushman Bharat scheme, thereby depriving lakhs of citizens of better healthcare facilities. Shri Puri praised India’s rapid economic growth under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji’s leadership and expressed confidence that India would become a developed nation by 2047.
On this occasion, Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta stated that today is a special day for Delhi and its senior citizens. Schemes like Ayushman Bharat, launched under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, are steering the country in a new direction. The ‘Vay Vandana Yojana’ is also an important step in advancing the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.’ Strengthening this vision, today, our Government has launched the ‘Vay Vandana Yojana’ for senior citizens aged 70 years and above.
Highlighting the features of the Vay Vandana Yojana, the Chief Minister said that any Delhi resident aged 70 years and above can obtain the “Ayushman Vay Vandana Card” simply by providing an Aadhaar card and proof of Delhi residence, regardless of their income. She added that the card will include the beneficiary’s health records, medication details, and treatment history. Cardholders will be entitled to free health check-ups, medicines, and treatment — including emergency care — at any empanelled hospital under the scheme in Delhi.”
Through this card, beneficiaries will receive up to ₹10 lakh worth of free medical treatment at any empanelled hospital. Currently, almost 100 hospitals are registered under this scheme. If a senior citizen needs treatment for a particular illness in any part of the country, they can go to any empanelled hospital in those locations for free treatment.
The Chief Minister emphasized that the government’s aim is that no eligible senior citizen is left out of the ‘Vay Vandana Yojana.’
She said, “Seniors are the roots of our society, and taking care of their every need is our top priority. The overall development of the country is only possible when every segment of society receives respect and facilities, and the ‘Vay Vandana’ card is a strong step in this direction. The Government is also committed to taking many more concrete steps to ensure that the lives of our seniors are easier, more accessible, and dignified.”
The Chief Minister specially urged all public representatives to prepare lists of senior citizens in their constituencies and actively assist those who are unable to use technology, helping them reach registration centers.
Taking a jibe at the previous government, the Chief Minister said that the former government, due to its arrogance, had prevented the implementation of this remarkable scheme for Delhi’s senior citizens for years. “Today, I want to clearly state that Delhi will now make its own decisions, and no citizen’s rights will be taken away. This government stands with its senior citizens and is fully committed to protecting their dignity and rights”, she said.
The Chief Minister also provided information about the ‘Arogya Mandirs’ being established in Delhi, stating that under the guidance of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s ‘Ayushman Bharat Mission,’ the Delhi Government is setting up 1139 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. Approximately 15 such centers will be opened in each legislative constituency, where citizens will receive free basic healthcare services. These centers will provide health check-ups, primary treatments, essential medicines, and health awareness programs. The Chief Minister stated that our priority is to have an Arogya Mandir near every citizen’s home, so that everyone can access healthcare services without any difficulty. Instructions have been issued to all district officers and relevant authorities to quickly identify appropriate locations and establish these centers.
Reaffirming the Delhi Government’s commitment to the healthcare sector, the Chief Minister mentioned that the Government has allocated a budget of ₹12,893 crore for improving healthcare services in 2025-26. Additionally, 24 new hospitals will be built, adding 16,186 new beds. An additional ₹2,144 crore has been earmarked under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, which will provide free treatment to millions of people.
The Chief Minister concluded by saying that under the ‘Vay Vandana Yojana,’ we do not view senior citizens merely as government beneficiaries but as symbols of respect, such as parents, grandparents, and elders. The Delhi Government places the highest priority on the dignity and financial security of senior citizens. Through the ‘Vay Vandana Yojana,’ we are ensuring that our senior citizens have the opportunity to live independent, secure, and dignified lives. This scheme is not just financial aid, but a symbol of our gratitude and dedication to them.
On this occasion, Cabinet Minister Dr. Pankaj Kumar Singh said that our senior citizens face various challenges at this stage of life. Due to limited income and rising medical expenses, it often becomes difficult for them to access adequate healthcare facilities. Moreover, most health insurance schemes are expensive and do not cover pre-existing conditions, which sometimes leaves our elderly deprived of necessary healthcare services. In such a situation, the Ayushman Vay Vandana Yojana has emerged as a protective shield for them.
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