Welfare vs freebies: As Delhi votes, which party’s manifesto offers long-term transformation?

As Delhi goes to the polls on Wednesday to elect a new state Assembly, the promises made by the Aam Aadmi Party, Indian National Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party are igniting spirited debates. Each party’s manifesto lays out a blend of long-term welfare initiatives and immediate, sometimes populist, incentives.

However, rather than examining these proposals in isolation, it is useful to compare them side by side to understand the emerging narrative – a narrative that challenges us to try to decide whether these promises are truly transformative welfare measures or mere freebies aimed at short-term public appeasement.

Healthcare and education

At the heart of all three manifestos is a focus on healthcare and education, albeit with differing approaches.

AAP’s Sanjeevani Yojana pledges free healthcare for Delhi’s senior citizens, covering all expenses in both government and private hospitals – a measure that echoes a commitment to comprehensive social security.

The Congress has proposed free healthcare coverage up to Rs 25 lakh for every Delhi resident, complete with free medicines and diagnostics. This signals an ambition to overhaul the healthcare system for residents of all income groups.

The BJP, meanwhile, builds on a more targeted approach by expanding the Central government’s Ayushman Bharat Scheme that aims to provide free access to health insurance coverage for low…

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