In Punjab Budget, Rs 10-lakh health cover for every family, drug census

Describing the tax-free budget as roadmap for ‘Badalda (transforming) Punjab’, Cheema said it will be remembered in history for its potential to transform lives in both villages and cities. The budget is silent one of the key pre-election promises of the AAP — Rs 1,000 per month to women. Cheema, however, announced a loan waiver for the Scheduled Caste beneficiaries who defaulted on loans availed from Punjab Scheduled Castes Land Development and Finance Corporation (PSCFC).

Among the big ticket announcements, Cheema said cashless health insurance scheme will be made make universal and cover all the 65 lakh families of Punjab. He said that currently 45 lakh families are enrolled in government health insurance schemes — 16 lakh under Centre’s Ayushman Bharat Yojana and 29 lakh under the state government’s Mukh Mantri Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana. The insurance coverage for the family is Rs 5 lakh per annum in these schemes.

“We are extending the insurance cover for all the families of Punjab to Rs 10 lakh per annum. This includes those enrolled in the central government scheme too. They will get an additional top-up cover of Rs 5 lakh from the state government. There will be no bar or discrimination — rural or urban, rich or poor — everyone can participate in this scheme. A sum of Rs 778 crore has been allocated for this historic initiative,” said Cheema.

Families covered under the Mukh Mantri Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana will receive a ‘Sehat Card’ next year through, which they can avail cashless treatment of upto Rs 10 lakh at both state-run and private hospitals.

Cheema further announced the ‘Rangla Punjab Vikas Scheme’ — an initiative under which Rs 5 crore will be allocated for each Assembly constituency on the lines of MPLAD funds.

“The fund will be administered by the district commissioners (DCs) and will be spent based on the recommendations of MLAs, community organizations, citizen groups and public-spirited citizens. This fund will be a huge enabler in ensuring all-round development of all districts across all sectors such as construction and repair of roads and bridges, street-lights, clinics, hospitals, schools, water, sanitation etc,” he said, while allocating Rs 585 crore for the scheme.

In another initiative, Cheema announced a first ever ‘drug census’ next year.

“This Census will cover every household and will collect data to understand the prevalence of drug addiction in the state, the usage of de-addiction centers, besides collecting data on socio-economic status of the people of Punjab. We will use this data to craft an effective and scientific strategy to eradicate the problem of drugs within the next 1-2 years. Our government proposes to spend Rs 150 crore on this initiative,” he said.

The Rs 2,36,080-crore budget has estimated the revenue deficit and fiscal deficit at Rs 23,957 crore and Rs 34,201 crore, respectively, for the next financial year. It has proposed Rs 9,992 crore as power subsidy for the agriculture sector and Rs 7,614 crore for free 300 units of power to domestic consumers.

To incentivise crop diversification, a new scheme covering the districts of Bathinda, Kapurthala and Gurdaspur is being introduced for Kharif maize crop.

On stubble burning issue, he said it is a national concern and the Punjab government is committed to addressing it. He said in a move towards sustainability and environmental responsibility, the state government has committed Rs 60 crore in capital subsidies to support industries transitioning to paddy stubble-based boilers.

Cheema said the cost of availing doorstep delivery of government services is being reduced from Rs 120 to Rs 50.

Presenting his fourth budget, Cheema said, Chief Minister Mann’s “unwavering commitment to the welfare of our people has guided us in delivering transformative change across multiple sectors, laying a strong foundation for a prosperous and empowered Punjab”.