Wed Apr 09 19:02:49 UTC 2025: ## Delhi Residents Express Mixed Feelings as PM-JAY Rollout Nears

**New Delhi, April 10, 2025** – As the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) health insurance scheme is set to launch in Delhi tomorrow, potential beneficiaries are expressing a range of emotions, from cautious optimism to outright apprehension. The scheme, which offers up to ₹10 lakh in annual health coverage per family, is slated to initially benefit approximately 2.35 lakh Delhi residents.

While some welcome the potential for comprehensive healthcare, others worry about the impact on existing benefits. Several individuals reliant on Economically Weaker Section (EWS) benefits, which provide free treatment in designated hospitals, fear losing this crucial support if enrolled in PM-JAY. One caretaker, whose brother is undergoing expensive cancer treatment under the EWS scheme, expressed concern that the annual cap on PM-JAY coverage wouldn’t suffice, leaving his family financially destitute should the EWS benefits be revoked.

Adding to the confusion, many potential beneficiaries report difficulty accessing information on how to enroll. Several individuals recounted their unsuccessful attempts to learn about the application process, highlighting a lack of clarity and readily available resources.

A spokesperson from the Delhi Health Department clarified that the beneficiary list is based on the 2011 census, prioritizing National Food Security Act beneficiaries. They added that ASHA workers will assist in card preparation once beneficiaries have been identified. While a doctor at the Directorate General of Health Services stated that no instructions have been issued regarding the termination of existing schemes, leaving EWS benefits potentially unaffected, this uncertainty persists among the public.

The rollout marks the fulfillment of a BJP election promise. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Central and Delhi governments was signed on April 5th, with Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda expecting around 36 lakh Delhi residents to eventually benefit from the scheme. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta confirmed the Thursday launch with the initial distribution of 2.35 lakh PM-JAY cards. The scheme’s full implementation and its effect on existing healthcare programs remains to be seen.

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