In a landmark move, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab has rolled out the Chief Minister Health Scheme (MMHSY), promising free treatment up to ₹10 lakh for every family in the state. The initiative was unveiled on Thursday in Mohali by AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, marking a fulfillment of key electoral pledges.
This scheme opens the doors of even the most expensive private hospitals to the underprivileged, representing a revolutionary shift in public welfare delivery. Punjab now stands as India’s first state to guarantee free healthcare, free education, free electricity, and free bus travel for women.
Kejriwal emphasized that while opposition parties are mired in internal conflicts and power struggles, only AAP can secure a stable future for Punjab. During the launch, he and Mann personally handed over health cards to select beneficiaries.
‘Today is not just historic for Punjab but for the entire nation,’ Kejriwal declared. He lamented that over the past 75 years, successive governments failed to prioritize public welfare despite grand promises. Punjab endured terrorism and drug crises, but the current era under AAP will be etched in golden letters in history.
Recalling campaign guarantees, Kejriwal noted skepticism about ‘Kejriwal’s Guarantee’ for quality healthcare. Yet, in just four years, the government has established 1,000 mohalla clinics, with 500 more under construction—far surpassing the 400 primary health centers built by previous regimes over decades.
Chief Minister Mann, drawing inspiration from Sikh Gurus’ teachings, stated the scheme covers all 65 lakh families and nearly three crore residents. ‘Punjab has set a new benchmark for the country,’ he asserted, highlighting the comprehensive welfare package now available.