Arvind Kejriwal Welcomes Centre’s Cashless Treatment Scheme, Suggests Removal of ₹1.5 Lakh Limit

AAP leader praises the central government’s initiative inspired by Delhi’s ‘Farishte Yojana,’ urges an unlimited budget for road accident victims.

New Delhi, January 11: AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal expressed support for the Centre’s newly announced “Cashless Treatment” scheme, which provides up to ₹1.5 lakh for seven days of treatment for road accident victims. Kejriwal appreciated the initiative, noting its resemblance to Delhi’s ‘Farishte Yojana’, which has saved over 26,000 lives.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Kejriwal said, “I am happy that the Centre is also thinking about it after learning from the ‘Farishte Yojana’ of Delhi. My only request to Gadkari ji is to remove the ₹1.5 lakh limit from this scheme. Accidents never have a limit. In Delhi, we have saved more than 26,000 lives through the ‘Farishte Yojana.’ There is nothing more precious than human life.”

Nitin Gadkari’s Cashless Treatment Scheme

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari recently launched the “Cashless Treatment” scheme, under which the government will cover up to ₹1.5 lakh in medical expenses for road accident victims during the first seven days of treatment.

To ensure timely support, the scheme mandates that police must be informed about the accident within 24 hours.

Gadkari also announced an ex gratia payment of ₹2 lakh for the families of those who lose their lives in hit-and-run cases. Emphasizing the alarming number of road fatalities, Gadkari said, “In 2024, nearly 1.80 lakh people lost their lives in road accidents, with 30,000 fatalities due to not wearing helmets.”

Kejriwal’s Call for Unlimited Support

Highlighting Delhi’s ‘Farishte Yojana’, Kejriwal urged the Centre to remove the ₹1.5 lakh cap, stressing that accidents can result in expenses far beyond this limit. The ‘Farishte Yojana’ provides unlimited funding for accident victims in Delhi, covering life-saving medical care.

Kejriwal emphasized that the scheme has transformed healthcare for accident victims in the national capital, saving thousands of lives since its implementation.

Road Safety as a National Priority

The cashless scheme announcement followed a meeting chaired by Gadkari with transport ministers from all states and union territories at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi. The meeting aimed to enhance road safety measures and align transportation policies between the Centre and states.

The Centre’s move to address the staggering road accident statistics and ensure financial aid for victims has been widely appreciated. Advocates like Kejriwal, however, call for more comprehensive measures to ensure no life is lost due to inadequate funding for emergency care.

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Summary:
Arvind Kejriwal lauded the Centre’s cashless treatment initiative but requested the removal of the ₹1.5 lakh cap, citing the success of Delhi’s ‘Farishte Yojana.’ Union Minister Nitin Gadkari’s scheme aims to reduce fatalities by covering treatment costs and supporting hit-and-run victims’ families.