Latest news with #PMVVY
NDTV
4 days ago
- Health
- NDTV
Delhi To Get Major EV Boost, 4,000 Electric Buses to Hit Roads
Delhi Transport and Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh on Friday promised to induct 4000-plus electric buses in the city by the year-end and promised to unveil a Yoga-based plan to manage diabetes in the coming months. "Pollution is a focus area for our government, and all departments are jointly taking steps to tackle it. At the transport department, we are determined to replace the ageing CNG buses with electric vehicles," he told IANS on completing 100 days in office. Also Read: "The introduction of EV buses is likely to offer a big relief to the public in terms of pollution and connectivity, even in congested areas," he said. He highlighted the implementation of health schemes like Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY) for the elderly, Ayushman Mandir, Ayushman Card, and check on irregularities in drug supply as some of the achievements of the health department in the first 100 days of the government. "The Ayushman scheme, whose benefits should have reached people long ago, was blocked by Arvind Kejriwal's government. We have supplied cards and enrolled beneficiaries through door-to-door drives," he said, adding that about 2.31 lakh beneficiaries have been issued health cards under the two schemes. The Minister hit out at the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for indulging in publicity rather than serving the people on the ground. "We could not find anything positive in the functioning of the previous government. There are scams in almost everything related to drinking water, road, pollution, Yamuna-cleaning, transportation, hospital drug supply," he said, adding that, under the previous government, just five medical superintendents were running the affairs of all major hospitals in the city. Hitting out at the AAP government and its legislators, he said, "They did not perform and indulged only in the blame game. We are focused on delivering on the promises that we made." Describing diabetes as a common ailment affecting people, he said, "We are working on a new plan named 'Diabetes-plus with yoga'. Very soon, we will share information with the public," he said, adding that the health department is focusing on the smooth functioning of free dialysis centres. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
LIC directed to refund entire investment to an octogenarian for lack of informed consent
The Udupi District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission recently directed the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) to refund ₹15 lakh invested by an octogenarian, as the insurance corporation had failed to obtain informed consent from him before selling the policy. Udupi Human Rights Protection Foundation president Ravindranath Shanbhag told reporters at Udupi on Thursday that 83-year-old Annappa Poojary from Beluru in Kundapura taluk wanted an assured income after selling his property in 2021. Earlier, he was running a business in Hubballi, but returned to his native after suffering a paralytic stroke. After selling the property for livelihood, he contacted an agent of the LIC, Kundapura branch, to invest the sale proceeds of ₹30 lakh to earn interest. The agent advised him to invest in 'Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana' (PMVVY), a subsidised scheme for senior citizens. Mr. Poojary invested the entire sum with LIC on the condition that he could withdraw the amount if needed. He received two policies for ₹15 lakh each on September 6, 2021, but was unable to read the terms and conditions as they were in English. Upon checking his bank passbook months later, Mr. Poojary noticed that the first deposit earned ₹9,250 in interest, while the second earned only ₹6,519 per month for the same amounts. The agent failed to answer his queries. As the combined interest was insufficient to cover his expenses, including treatment for Parkinson's disease, he wanted to surrender the second policy. To his shock, LIC informed him that the surrender value was ₹10,73,412 after 16 months. Dr. Shanbhag said that Mr. Poojary approached the foundation after making many failed attempts to have his investment refunded. The foundation initiated a case before the Consumer Commission in Udupi, which on May 21, 2025, directed the LIC to refund Mr. Poojary's entire investment along with ₹20,000 towards compensation for mental agony and legal expenses. While the first policy was issued under PMVVY, the second one was issued under LIC's Jeevan Akshay Scheme, which had different terms and conditions and a lower interest rate. Neither the LIC nor the LIC agent explained this to Mr. Poojary, Dr. Shanbhag said.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Insurance firm told to refund Rs 15 lakh to 83-year-old Udupi man misled on policy, additional Rs 20,000 for mental harassment
Representative Image UDUPI: The Udupi District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has ordered an insurance company to refund Rs 15 lakh to a senior citizen and pay an additional Rs 20,000 as compensation for mental harassment and legal expenses. Dr Ravindranath Shanbhag, President of the Human Rights Protection Foundation (HRPF), Udupi, told reporters on Thursday that Annappa Poojary, 83, a resident of Belur in Kundapur taluk, used to run a business in Hubballi for his livelihood. After suffering a paralytic stroke 15 years ago, he returned to his hometown and began living with his wife. Although he had children, they were not financially capable of supporting their parents, forcing Poojary to sell his property in Kundapur. After the sale, he decided to deposit the proceeds of Rs30 lakh in fixed deposits, intending to live off the interest income. When Poojary consulted an insurance agent, he was advised to invest the amount in the "Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana" (PMVVY), a subsidised scheme for senior citizens. T he agent assured him that the scheme offered higher returns and allowed premature withdrawal in case of emergencies. Trusting the agent, Poojary invested his entire Rs30 lakh under the condition that he would be able to withdraw the amount if needed. Soon after, he received two policies of Rs15 lakh each. Being illiterate, Poojary and his wife could not read the policy documents, which were in English, and relied solely on the agent's assurances. Months later, when Poojary checked his passbook, he noticed that the first deposit earned Rs9,250 in interest, while the second earned only Rs 6,519. When questioned, the agent failed to provide a proper explanation. Already battling paralysis, Poojary was also diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. He frequently had to travel 45 km to Manipal for treatment. The combined interest of around Rs 15,000 from both deposits was insufficient to meet his medical and living expenses. He decided to withdraw the lower-interest policy and repeatedly contacted the insurance company's office and the agent. Receiving no response, he formally requested the surrender of one of the policies on January 11, 2023. He was shocked to discover that the policy, purchased on September 6, had a surrender value of only Rs10,73,412 after 16 months, meaning he would lose Rs4,26,588. He claimed he was never informed about the massive penalty for premature withdrawal. He then sought assistance from the HRPF, Udupi. The foundation guided him to file a complaint with the Udupi District Consumer Commission. Shanbhag said the company argued that the first policy was under the PMVVY, while the second was under a different plan. They claimed the policyholder had a 15-day 'free-look' period to cancel the policy but failed to do so. However, the company could not produce any evidence that these terms were ever explained to the illiterate Poojary couple, he added.
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta launches mobile registration drive to enroll senior citizens for PMVVY
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday flagged off the ' Mobile Registration Campaign ' under the Ayushman Bharat scheme , aimed at enrolling senior citizens for the Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY). #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack India strikes hard! New Delhi bans all imports from Pakistan How Pakistan is preparing for the worst as India weighs response If India attacks Pakistan, China & B'desh should seize 7 NE states, says Yunus' aide Speaking to the reporters at the event, CM Rekha Gupta announced that 70 vehicles would be deployed across 70 constituencies in Delhi over the next 70 days to facilitate the registration of senior citizens aged above 70 years. "There is a van here and two computer operators are here. This vehicle is here to register the senior citizens above the age of 70, under the Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana. There will be 70 vehicles in 70 constituencies for 70 days, for senior citizens above the age of 70 years." 5 5 Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 5 5 / Skip Ads by by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Highly Prestigious OMEA Award for Indian Manufacturers ansoim Learn More Undo "This is on the occasion when the Delhi govt is completing 70 vehicles will reach every senior citizen in Delhi," she added. She further criticised former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for allegedly halting the implementation of central government welfare schemes in the national capital. Live Events "He (Arvind Kejriwal) had stopped this scheme of centre and people of Delhi suffered huge loss because of this..." The Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana is a pension scheme aimed at providing social security to senior citizens and protecting them against a future fall in interest income. Earlier, Gupta declared that the "triple-engine government" of the Centre, Delhi, and local bodies is working cohesively to overhaul the capital's faltering infrastructure, as unseasonal heavy rainfall exposed persistent waterlogging issues on Friday. Addressing a gathering during the inauguration and flagging off 400 e-buses at Kushak Nalla bus depot here, Gupta emphasised that the early morning downpour served as a critical wake-up call for the administration ahead of the monsoon season. "The government and administration were on continuous alert since 5 am. All DCs and officers were standing on the roads... While coming to this programme, I saw three points where there was waterlogging and a traffic jam.... This is a triple-engine government, where today the Centre, Delhi, and our local bodies are standing together as a team to work with great enthusiasm to improve the messed-up system of Delhi. I want to thank God that this rain, which has come today before the monsoon, is an alarm for the entire system," Gupta said. Taking a swipe at former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Gupta remarked, "Kejriwal must not have heard the sound (of thunder); he must be sleeping in the soundproof room of his Sheeshmahal. Before this, the government never worked on the roads; no minister or chief minister was ever seen on the roads."
Indian Express
28-04-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Union Minister Puri, Delhi CM hand out first 38 health cards under PMVVY
Senior citizens aged 70 and above in Delhi can now get their medical expenses covered at empanelled government and private hospitals in the city with Ayushman cards under Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY). The Delhi government on Monday provided the first 38 Ayushman Cards to beneficiaries at an event, underlining that the scheme will be a huge help, as private insurance companies do not cover pre-existing conditions for senior citizens and deprive them of necessary healthcare services. Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta distributed the Ayushman cards at Monday's event. Free treatment up to Rs 10 lakh and an annual cover of Rs 5 lakh, shared within the family, are offered to the beneficiaries under the scheme. This means if there are two elderly beneficiaries in the household, the cover will be split among them. Launching the scheme at the Thyagraj Stadium, Gupta underlined that only an Aadhaar card and proof of residence in the Capital will be sufficient to make a Vay Vandana Card, irrespective of an income certificate. The government's aim is that no eligible senior citizen is left out, she asserted. Speaking at the event, Puri, referring to the BJP ruling the Centre, city, and civic body, said that Delhi's 'triple-engine government' is accelerating developmental work. He also criticised the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for not implementing the Ayushman Bharat scheme in the Capital. '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,' he said. Vay Vandana Card will carry complete information about health records, medicines, and treatments. Cardholders will be entitled to free health check-ups, medicines, and treatment, including emergency care, at any empanelled hospital under the scheme in the city. As per the National Health Authority (NHA) dashboard, there are 93 hospitals, including private and public, empanelled under the scheme. The CM urged all public representatives to prepare lists of senior citizens in their constituencies and actively assist those who are unable to use technology to reach registration centers. Taking a jibe at the previous AAP government, the CM claimed 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 take 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. It often becomes difficult for senior citizens to access adequate healthcare facilities due to limited income and rising medical expenses, underlined Delhi Health Minister Dr Pankaj Kumar Singh, who was also present at the event. '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,' he said. Among the beneficiaries who were given the card on Monday was 74-year-old Gangasaran Shastri from West Delhi's Uttam Nagar, a priest in Laxmi Narayan Temple in Sainik Enclave. 'I hope I don't fall ill. However, sometime back my health had deteriorated and I was admitted to a private hospital, which cost us a huge bill of Rs 6-7 lakh,' he said. Shastri's son is a cab driver, and the family had to take a loan from acquaintances to pay the bill of the private hospital, he said, adding that his son does not have any health insurance. 'Neither me or my son earns enough to buy health insurance. Whatever we earn goes into daily expenses,' he shared. Ninety-five-year-old Rafiq, a resident of Mehrauli, who came with his daughter-in-law, Ishrat, suffers from asthma and high blood pressure. He often goes to Safdarjung Hospital to get treatment. However, his daughter-in -law said that he has to wait for long hours due to queues. 'If we get immediate treatment in private hospitals with the help of this card, it would be a huge help to us,' she said. The card also gives a health cover for Rafiq's wife. Meanwhile, Birma Devi, 72, a resident of Kalyan Puri, said that it would have been great if she had gotten the card earlier. 'I have a high BP issue, and I usually go to GB Pant Hospital, but it takes the whole day for me to wait there. The waiting time for tests is also long,' she said. Her son said the card will help in accessing private hospitals, which the family doesn't usually opt for due to the high costs. 'The government has given us this card now. It's a relief. Hopefully, we will be able to avail the services under this,' said Vinod.
