Delhi Jal Board launches cashless medical cover for 50,000 pensioners
Synopsis
Fifty thousand retired Delhi Jal Board employees no longer have to pay upfront for medical care and chase reimbursements. The cashless scheme, launched under the 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, addresses a demand that had reportedly gone unmet for years — and arrives framed as part of a broader campaign marking 25 years of PM Modi's public service.
Key Takeaways
The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) launched a cashless medical facility on 5 October 2026 for approximately 50,000 pensioners and family pensioners .
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta , PWD Minister Parvesh Verma , DJB Vice Chairman Satish Upadhyay , and MCD Mayor Pravesh Wahi attended the launch event.
Previously, retired DJB employees had to pay out of pocket for treatment and later seek reimbursement — the new scheme eliminates that process.
The initiative was introduced under the 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' , marking 25 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's public service.
According to officials, many beneficiaries had served the department for 30 to 40 years and were above 60 years of age.
The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) on Monday, 5 October 2026, launched a comprehensive cashless medical facility covering approximately 50,000 pensioners and family pensioners, enabling them to access healthcare services without making upfront payments or navigating the earlier reimbursement process. The initiative was unveiled at a formal event in New Delhi attended by senior government and civic leaders.
Who Was at the Launch
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, PWD Minister Parvesh Verma, BJP MLA and Delhi Jal Board Vice Chairman Satish Upadhyay, and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) Mayor Pravesh Wahi were present at the event. Delhi government Principal Secretary Rajiv Verma and DJB Chief Executive Officer Sajjan Singh Yadav, along with other senior officials, also attended.
What Changed for DJB Pensioners
Before this scheme, retired DJB employees were required to first pay for medical treatment out of pocket and then approach the authorities to claim reimbursement — a process widely seen as burdensome for older citizens. The new cashless arrangement eliminates that step, allowing beneficiaries to receive treatment directly at empanelled facilities without an upfront financial outlay.
PWD Minister Parvesh Verma acknowledged the long-standing nature of this demand. 'We have given the cashless services option to such 50,000 pensioners... This was their long-standing demand, but this was not fulfilled yet... We thought the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan is the best time to introduce this scheme,' Verma told reporters. In a post on X, Verma added: 'Through this important initiative, a cashless medical facility will be available for treatment for the pensioners of Delhi Jal Board and their families, which will provide them more convenience and ease in availing health services.'
The 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' Context
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta framed the launch within the broader 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' — a campaign organising various programmes to mark 25 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's public service. 'Under this, the needs of thousands of Delhi Jal Board employees and officers who have served in the department are being addressed,' Gupta said.
She stressed the timing: 'At this stage of their lives, when they needed government support, they did not have access to cashless medical facilities until now. This cashless service provided by our government is a great help for all the pensioners of the DJB... Now, they will be able to get their medical treatment easily.'
Voices from the Event
DJB Vice Chairman Satish Upadhyay described the scheme as an important step for employees who had devoted decades to the department. 'Our Delhi Chief Minister has launched a cashless scheme for 50,000 pensioners who have worked for 30 to 40 years in the Jal Board and devoted their lives to it. For them to have to worry about their healthcare, this is a very sensitive and thoughtful decision,' Upadhyay said.
MCD Mayor Pravesh Wahi also welcomed the initiative, noting that retired DJB officers above the age of 60 had previously been required to pay first and seek reimbursement later. 'I express my gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision and to our Chief Minister for implementing it,' Wahi said.
What Comes Next
The scheme is expected to benefit tens of thousands of retired DJB staff and their dependants across Delhi in the near term. Whether the cashless empanelment covers private hospitals in addition to government facilities — and the scope of treatments included — is likely to be clarified as operational guidelines are issued.
Point of View
The announcement risks being celebrated in press conferences and questioned at hospital counters.
NationPress
5 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Delhi Jal Board cashless medical facility?
It is a scheme launched on 5 October 2026 that allows approximately 50,000 retired Delhi Jal Board employees and their family members to receive medical treatment at empanelled facilities without paying upfront. Under the previous system, pensioners had to pay out of pocket and later seek reimbursement from the department.
Who is eligible for the DJB cashless medical scheme?
The scheme covers around 50,000 DJB pensioners and family pensioners — primarily retired employees, many of whom are above 60 years of age and served the department for 30 to 40 years, according to officials at the launch.
What is the 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' under which this scheme was launched?
The Seva Sankalp Abhiyan is a campaign being organised by the Delhi government to mark 25 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's public service. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the DJB cashless medical facility is one of several programmes being rolled out under this initiative.
Why did retired DJB employees not have cashless medical access before?
According to PWD Minister Parvesh Verma, the cashless facility was a long-standing demand of retired employees that had not been fulfilled previously. Pensioners were required to first bear treatment costs themselves and then approach DJB authorities for reimbursement, which posed a significant financial burden for older citizens.
Who attended the Delhi Jal Board cashless medical scheme launch?
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, PWD Minister Parvesh Verma, BJP MLA and DJB Vice Chairman Satish Upadhyay, MCD Mayor Pravesh Wahi, Delhi government Principal Secretary Rajiv Verma, and DJB CEO Sajjan Singh Yadav attended the launch event on 5 October 2026.
