By Chandan Singh | Page 3 News Worldwide | New Delhi
New Delhi: In a major welfare push for the unorganised workforce, the Delhi Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, has approved the Delhi Building and Construction Workers Health Scheme, offering comprehensive cashless healthcare to around 2.7 lakh registered construction workers and their families.
The scheme is expected to benefit nearly 10 lakh people, with each registered worker eligible for cashless treatment of up to ₹2 lakh, while families can avail healthcare benefits of up to ₹10 lakh through empanelled hospitals. The government has earmarked an estimated ₹200 crore annually for the initiative.
Besides free OPD, IPD, diagnostic, emergency and referral services, the scheme will provide annual health check-ups, mobile medical units at construction sites, and a 24×7 toll-free helpline. Digital health records and a beneficiary tracking system will also be introduced to improve transparency and service delivery.
Announcing the decision, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said construction workers are the backbone of Delhi’s development but face occupational risks such as silicosis, respiratory illnesses and other work-related diseases. She said the scheme aims to provide quality healthcare and strengthen social security for workers and their families without imposing any financial burden.
The Chief Minister added that the initiative aligns with the welfare-focused approach of Prime Minister Narendra Modi towards workers and the unorganised sector, complementing flagship social security programmes while extending comprehensive health protection to Delhi’s construction workforce.
