The Delhi cabinet on Monday approved certain modifications in existing Delhi Government Employees Health Scheme (DGEHS) to make it similar to Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS).

The decision was taken in a cabinet meeting presided over by the chief minister Sheila Dikshit. As per approved modifications, it is proposed to automatically adopt all provisions of Central Services Medical Attendance (CSMA) / CGHS under DGEHS.

It will also keep membership open ended like CGHS and will allow subscription by pensioners for lifelong benefit by depositing a total subscription of 10 years. Also, it will rationalize subscription of beneficiaries, simplify provisions for ministers, MLAs and senior officers and will allow cashless treatment to MLAs. Dikshit said that modifications in DGEHS will make the scheme as beneficial as CGHS is presently.

These modifications, she added, will bring further improvement in the scheme and better health care will be ensured to the beneficiaries.

The DGEHS was launched in April 1997 and have been earlier modified in the year 2003, 2005 and 2007. The scheme has already been extended to sitting and retired judges of High Court of Delhi, sitting members of Delhi Legislative Assembly and ex-members of Legislative Assembly and for serving staff of Education Department. Besides, fully funded autonomous bodies of Delhi Government can also opt for the scheme.