Punjab to launch Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme on January 22

The Punjab government will roll out its Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme on January 22, a week later than originally planned, state Health Minister Balbir Singh said on Monday.

The scheme was initially scheduled to be launched on January 15, but the date was deferred after the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee’s Jathedar summoned Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on that day. As a result, the government decided to postpone the formal launch by one week.

Balbir Singh said a trial phase will be conducted before the full rollout to ensure the system is functioning smoothly. He added that the state has allocated Rs. 1,200 crore for the initial phase of the project, which is expected to be expanded in stages.

Under the scheme, the Punjab government aims to provide free medical treatment to crores of residents, a move officials say is intended to reduce out-of-pocket healthcare costs and improve access to hospital services across the state.