CM Yogi Launches Rs 23 Cr PRD Barrack, Cashless Health Scheme
Synopsis
Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath announced a Rs 23 crore multi-storey PRD barrack in Lucknow and launched the Mukhyamantri PRD Cashless Chikitsa Yojana at a PRD jawans' conference in Gorakhpur on 18 August 2026, boosting welfare for the state's auxiliary security force.
Key Takeaways
CM Yogi Adityanath laid the foundation stone of a multi-storey PRD barrack in Lucknow worth Rs 23 crore on 18 August 2026 .
The Mukhyamantri PRD Cashless Chikitsa Yojana was formally launched, giving PRD jawans access to cashless medical treatment.
Both announcements were made at a PRD jawans' conference in Gorakhpur , at the site of the Gorakhnath Math.
The Pradeshik Rakshak Dal (PRD) is UP's state auxiliary force, deployed for public order, election duty, and local security tasks.
CM Yogi described PRD jawans as the 'strong identity of service, security, discipline, and public dedication' of Uttar Pradesh.
A multi-storey barrack worth Rs 23 crore and a cashless medical scheme — on Tuesday, 18 August 2026, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath laid the foundation for two major welfare measures for the state's Provincial Armed Constabulary Reserve (PRD) jawans, announcing both at a grand conference held in Gorakhpur, the sacred site of Mahayogi Guru Shri Gorakhnath Ji.
What Was Announced at the Gorakhpur Conference
Speaking at the PRD jawans' conference, CM Yogi unveiled two landmark initiatives. First, the foundation stone (shilaayas) of a new multi-storey PRD barrack in Lucknow, to be built at a cost of Rs 23 crore. Second, the formal launch of the Mukhyamantri PRD Cashless Chikitsa Yojana — a cashless medical treatment scheme designed to provide health security to PRD personnel and their families.
In his post, CM Yogi described PRD jawans as 'seva, suraksha, anushasan aur jansamarpan ki sashakt pahchaan' — 'the strong identity of service, security, discipline, and public dedication' — and called their loyalty and honesty 'the credible foundation of Uttar Pradesh's security apparatus.'
Who Are the PRD Jawans — and Why This Matters
The Pradeshik Rakshak Dal (PRD) is a state-level auxiliary force in Uttar Pradesh, deployed widely for public order, election duty, and local security support. PRD personnel have historically operated with limited welfare infrastructure compared to regular police cadres — making dedicated housing and health cover a significant upgrade in their service conditions.
The choice of Gorakhpur — the seat of the Gorakhnath Math, which CM Yogi heads as its Mahant — as the venue for this announcement carries both administrative and symbolic weight. It signals the administration's intent to connect welfare delivery with the cultural heartland of eastern Uttar Pradesh.
The Cashless Medical Scheme: A New Safety Net
The Mukhyamantri PRD Cashless Chikitsa Yojana addresses one of the most persistent vulnerabilities faced by auxiliary force personnel: out-of-pocket medical expenditure during emergencies. A cashless framework means PRD jawans can access empanelled hospitals without upfront payment — a model already proven effective in schemes for other government employee categories across India.
Together, the barrack and the health scheme represent a two-pronged push: physical infrastructure for those posted away from home, and financial protection during medical crises. CM Yogi extended 'hardik badhai' — heartfelt congratulations — to all PRD jawans on the occasion.
For a force that guards UP's public spaces every day, the question now is how fast the Rs 23 crore barrack rises — and how many jawans the cashless scheme reaches before its first anniversary.
Point of View
A formula that simultaneously addresses real service gaps and consolidates political goodwill among a large, organised constituency. Anchoring the event in Gorakhpur — the CM's own institutional base — reinforces the city's emerging role as a showcase for UP's governance ambitions beyond Lucknow. The cashless medical scheme, if implemented at scale, could meaningfully reduce the financial precarity that has long made PRD postings unattractive. Whether the Rs 23 crore barrack and the health scheme are followed by commensurate budget allocations in subsequent years will be the real test of intent.
NationPress
18 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Mukhyamantri PRD Cashless Chikitsa Yojana?
It is a cashless medical treatment scheme launched by UP CM Yogi Adityanath for Pradeshik Rakshak Dal (PRD) jawans, allowing them to access empanelled hospitals without paying upfront for treatment.
What is the PRD barrack announced by CM Yogi?
CM Yogi laid the foundation stone of a new multi-storey PRD barrack to be built in Lucknow at a cost of Rs 23 crore, aimed at providing better accommodation for PRD personnel.
Where was the PRD jawans' conference held?
The conference was held in Gorakhpur, at the site of the Gorakhnath Math, on 18 August 2026.
What is the Pradeshik Rakshak Dal (PRD)?
The Pradeshik Rakshak Dal is Uttar Pradesh's state-level auxiliary security force, deployed for public order maintenance, election duty, and local security support across the state.
Why did CM Yogi hold the PRD event in Gorakhpur?
Gorakhpur is the seat of the Gorakhnath Math, which CM Yogi heads as its Mahant, making it a significant administrative and cultural venue for major government announcements in eastern Uttar Pradesh.
