Decode Politics: What is the Rajasthan health scheme Rahul is talking about

चिरंजीवी योजना का चमत्कार आज खुद जयपुर के महात्मा गांधी अस्पताल पहुंच कर देखा!

✅किडनी ट्रांसप्लांट – मुफ्त
✅लिवर ट्रांसप्लांट – मुफ्त
✅कैंसर का इलाज – मुफ्त
✅हृदय रोग का इलाज – मुफ्त
✅ऑपरेशन – मुफ्त
✅डायलिसिस – मुफ्त
✅इंप्लांट्स – मुफ्त

मरीज़ों और उनके परिवारों के… pic.twitter.com/gSM8OWQlnO

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) November 22, 2023

Gehlot also said that registration for the scheme for those not included in the National Food Security Act (NFSA) or the Socio Economic Caste Census (SECC) beneficiary list would begin from April 1 that year.

One of the main attractions of the scheme was that while similar schemes of previous governments covered mostly BPL (Below Poverty Line), NFSA or SECC beneficiaries, the new one covered even higher income and middle-class families at a nominal annual premium of Rs 850.

What is the allocation to the scheme

In 2022, a year after the scheme’s introduction, the Gehlot government increased the insured amount from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh. In his election year budget in February this year, the CM further increased this amount to Rs 25 lakh.

In its election manifesto, announced this month, the Congress promised that if voted back to power in the state, it would further raise this amount to Rs 50 lakh.

How has the scheme fared

Between May 1, 2021, and June 30, 2023, 45.54 lakh persons submitted 89.82 lakh claims worth Rs 5,039 crore, of which claims worth Rs 4,708 crore (93.43% by value) were approved, as of July this year.

With the Chiranjeevi Scheme, Gehlot targeted the rural population, who often have to travel to larger city hospitals for treatment. By making surgeries and other treatments free and cashless, he managed to cast the welfare net further into Rajasthan’s heartland.

The Chiranjeevi Health Insurance Scheme is also accompanied by the Chiranjeevi Accidental Insurance Scheme, which offers an insurance cover of Rs 10 lakh as amount paid out, in case of death or disability from accidents.

How the scheme has emerged as a poll plank

In his three terms as the CM of Rajasthan, Gehlot has always used the phrase ‘good governance’ to describe his style as an administrator. The universal health coverage under the Chiranjeevi Scheme has further bolstered this claim, as the scheme, coupled with the fierce marketing spree that accompanied it, has helped the CM solidify his image as a politician whose main poll plank is welfare politics.

The Congress has also consistently highlighted the Chiranjeevi Scheme during its poll campaign in the state, with all big party leaders, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge, leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, heaping praise on it, asserting that if the Congress comes to power at the Centre, it would introduce similar schemes nationwide. The praise from the party high command has also raised Gehlot’s stature within the party.

How does it compare with Ayushman Bharat

While the Centre’s Ayushman Bharat is meant for vulnerable families based on an income criteria, the Rajasthan government’s Chiranjeevi Yojana can be availed by everyone, even by those who are not NFSA or SECC beneficiaries.