Punjab CM Health Insurance scheme launch postponed, to be launched on this date; Health Minister explains the reason

Chandigarh (The Uttam Hindu) : The Punjab government's much-awaited Chief Minister's Health Insurance Scheme, which was originally scheduled to be launched on January 15, will now be launched on January 22. This one-week delay in the scheme's launch is due to the Jathedar Sahib summoning the Chief Minister.

This information was provided by Punjab Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh in Fatehgarh Sahib. He was there to review the preparations for the scheme. The Health Minister stated that a trial run will be conducted before the formal launch of the scheme to address any technical or administrative shortcomings.

Dr. Balbir Singh stated that the government has allocated a budget of ₹ 1,200 crore for this scheme, with a target of covering approximately 30 million people. The government is striving to provide health insurance cards to every eligible citizen. There are two criteria for this: the Aadhaar card must be from Punjab, and the voter card must be from Punjab. Children must have dependent cards.

Dr. Balbir Singh said that we need funding from several other sources as well. If the government spends 1,200 to 1,500 crore rupees, it will benefit the people. This will provide emergency care. The Health Minister said that this scheme is very good. For example, the free electricity scheme was started by the Kejriwal government in Delhi. It was further expanded in Punjab by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.