Sanjeevani Scheme: BJP vs AAP in National Capital - All You Need To Know

A fresh controversy has been stirred up after senior officers in the Delhi government have publicly disowned two major welfare schemes announced by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Atishi. The schemes, which include providing Rs 2,100 to non-tax-paying women under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojna and offering free healthcare to individuals over 60 years old under the Sanjeevani Yojna, were launched with much fanfare but have now been disavowed by the government’s departments.

On December 23, the Department of Women and Child Development issued a public notice calling the promised Rs 2,100 disbursement “fraudulent” and “without authority,” stating that no such scheme had been formally notified. The notice also warned the public against engaging with any political party or private individual collecting applications for the scheme, labeling such actions as unauthorized.
Similarly, the Health and Family Welfare Department issued a separate notice, declaring the free healthcare scheme for senior citizens as “fraudulent” and advising the public not to entertain inquiries related to the unapproved program. Both notices have sparked a sharp response from AAP leaders, with Atishi and Kejriwal accusing the BJP of orchestrating the disavowals in an attempt to undermine their government’s initiatives.

The controversy comes ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections and follows the announcement of a Rs 1,000 monthly allowance to women, which has been approved by the Delhi Cabinet but is still awaiting an official registration portal. Kejriwal had promised an increase to Rs 2,100 if AAP retains power in the upcoming polls.

Atishi has promised strict action against the officers who issued the public notices, claiming they were influenced by political pressure from the BJP. She also waved a Cabinet-approved notification for the Rs 1,000 allowance, accusing the officers of spreading misinformation. The growing tensions between the elected Delhi government and its bureaucracy have once again highlighted the complex dynamics of governance in the national capital, particularly after the amendment to the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, which brought services under the control of the Lieutenant Governor.