CHANDIGARH, March 30 — The Aam Aadmi Party on Sunday dismissed opposition criticism regarding Punjab’s ₹10 lakh health insurance initiative, asserting that political rivals are using incidents from non-empanelled hospitals to falsely project a systemic failure. Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh stated that over 1.72 lakh patients have already accessed medical care worth ₹292 crore under the program, covering critical procedures such as heart surgeries and joint replacements.
The Minister specifically addressed a video shared by Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa involving a facility in Amritsar. Dr. Balbir Singh maintained that the hospital in question is not part of the state’s approved network. He affirmed that more than 600 private hospitals are currently empanelled and noted that participation in schemes like Ayushman Bharat is voluntary for private institutions. It is highly irresponsible for a Leader of the Opposition to share such content without verifying facts, the Minister stated.
Adding to the rebuttal, AAP Punjab Chief Spokesperson Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal questioned the administrative understanding of senior opposition figures. He declared it shocking that leaders who have served in high offices remain unaware that treatment benefits are restricted to registered facilities. Dhaliwal maintained that these statements reflect either deep ignorance or a calculated intent to mislead the public for political relevance.
The state government urged citizens to rely on verified information from official websites rather than social media narratives. Officials affirmed that the scheme continues to provide significant financial relief to the common man, ensuring that high-cost emergency and elective surgeries remain accessible to those in need across Punjab.
