The Punjab government is set to launch a universal health insurance initiative that will provide cashless treatment worth up to ₹10 lakh per family. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann announced that registration for the scheme, called Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, will begin on a pilot basis in Barnala and Tarn Taran districts from September 23.
According to the chief minister, registration camps will be held at around 128 locations in each district over the next 10–12 days. Residents will need to bring only their Aadhaar card, voter ID, and a passport-size photograph for enrollment. Feedback from the pilot phase will help fine-tune the process before the scheme is expanded across Punjab.
Once fully implemented, every family in the state will be eligible for health insurance coverage of ₹10 lakh annually. There will be no cap on the number of family members covered. Beneficiaries will receive a Chief Minister’s Health Card, which can be used for cashless treatment at government hospitals as well as empanelled private hospitals. The scheme will cover more than 2,000 medical procedures and surgeries.
The state government has said that government employees, ASHA workers, and Anganwadi workers will also be included under the scheme. Officials described the programme as the first of its kind in India to offer such a high level of universal coverage.
In recent years, the Punjab government has also expanded its network of Aam Aadmi Clinics to provide primary healthcare services and reported an improvement in the supply of medicines in state hospitals. A new medical college is also planned in Sangrur district, though land acquisition for the project is still under consideration.
The state government maintains that the initiative is part of its broader effort to strengthen healthcare access and reduce the financial burden of medical treatment on families.
