BJP Leader Tarun Chugh Denounces Punjab's Health Insurance Scheme as 'Bundle of Lies'
In a sharp critique from Chandigarh, BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the AAP-led Punjab government's health insurance initiative, the Mukh Mantri Sehat Bima Yojana. Chugh labeled the scheme "a bundle of lies" and raised serious concerns about its "rigid package capping", describing the promised Rs 10 lakh health cover as "hollow" and impractical for genuine healthcare needs.
Comparison with Ayushman Bharat and Allegations of Misleading Design
Addressing a press conference at the party office, Chugh drew a direct comparison between the Punjab scheme and the Centre's Ayushman Bharat. He praised Ayushman Bharat for its practical capping based on actual treatment costs, while condemning the Punjab scheme as "misleading, impractical and publicity-driven". According to Chugh, the reality of the Mukh Mantri Sehat Bima Yojana is far from its advertised benefits.
"The scheme is essentially Rs 1 lakh insurance and Rs 9 lakh branding," Chugh asserted. He elaborated that while the scheme claims to offer Rs 10 lakh per family, only Rs 1 lakh constitutes actual insurance coverage. The remaining Rs 9 lakh, he argued, is left to the discretion of a debt-ridden Punjab government, raising questions about its feasibility given the state's financial struggles.
Concerns Over Treatment Caps and Patient Suffering
Chugh highlighted the harsh capping imposed on critical medical procedures under the scheme, alleging that it makes proper treatment impossible. "When treatment caps are fixed so low that complete care for critical illnesses cannot be provided, the Rs 10 lakh promise remains nothing more than a paper claim," he stated. He accused the scheme of being deliberately designed to either offer incomplete treatment or force patients to pay heavily from their own pockets, thereby burdening the poor and middle class.
Specifically, Chugh pointed out that the scheme imposes extremely low caps on complex procedures such as heart surgery, brain surgery, and knee replacement. This, he claimed, has pushed major and credible hospitals away from participating in the scheme, leaving patients with limited options and potentially substandard care.
Political Timing and Allegations of Propaganda
Questioning the timing and intent behind the scheme, Chugh noted that it took the Mann government 48 months just to announce this initiative. He alleged that in an election year, the AAP is using public funds primarily for self-promotion and propaganda rather than addressing genuine healthcare needs. "The truth is that patients will not get treatment under this scheme," he added, emphasizing his belief that the scheme fails to deliver on its promises.
Chugh's remarks underscore a growing political debate over healthcare policies in Punjab, with the BJP positioning Ayushman Bharat as a more reliable alternative. The criticism focuses on the practical implementation and financial sustainability of state-led health insurance schemes, highlighting concerns that could impact public trust and electoral dynamics.
