Chandigarh, Jan 28 (NationPress) BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh criticized the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government's 'Mukhyamantri Sehat Insurance Scheme' in Punjab, labeling it as deceptive, impractical, and primarily focused on publicity. Chugh asserted that the scheme's most significant flaw lies in its rigid package capping, which renders the supposed Rs 10 lakh health coverage claim entirely superficial.

“In reality, the plan offers genuine insurance of merely Rs 1 lakh per family, while the outstanding Rs 9 lakh is left at the mercy of a financially struggling state government,” Chugh told reporters here.

He raised concerns about the source of this Rs 9 lakh, questioning how it would be funded when the state is already facing financial turmoil.

Furthermore, he accused the former Chief Minister of Delhi and AAP's National Convenor, Arvind Kejriwal, of promoting the misleading Rs 10 lakh claim, while imposing severe caps on essential medical procedures, making proper treatment unfeasible. With treatment caps set so low that adequate care for serious ailments cannot be delivered, the Rs 10-lakh promise is reduced to a mere paper statement.

The BJP leader alleged that the scheme has been intentionally structured to either provide subpar treatment or compel patients to incur significant out-of-pocket expenses.

Referring to Ayushman Bharat, Chugh noted that the central government's initiative establishes a national standard by determining package rates based on the actual cost of treatment. In stark contrast, the state's 'Mukhyamantri Sehat Scheme' has enforced exceedingly low caps on complex procedures such as heart surgery, brain surgery, and knee replacement, driving reputable hospitals away from the scheme and leaving the poor and middle-class to suffer.

He highlighted that the Mann government took 48 months merely to announce this initiative, and it now acknowledges that several more months are needed for implementation.

Chugh emphasized that patients will not receive treatment under this scheme, suggesting that in an election year, the AAP will utilize public funds solely for self-promotion and propaganda.

Expressing concerns over Punjab's deteriorating financial situation, Chugh noted that the state is already encumbered with debt exceeding Rs 4 lakh crore. Over the past four years, the Mann government has accrued over Rs 1 lakh crore in new debt, and in the current financial year alone, Punjab is required to repay Rs 90,000 crore.

He remarked that while the government claims it lacks the funds to provide Dearness Allowance (DA) to its employees, it has sufficient resources for Kejriwal's helicopter rides.

Chugh further asserted, “If even one percent of families benefit from the scheme, the annual expenditure would soar to Rs 6,500 crore, while the budget allocation remains minimal.”

He concluded by stating that the real debate is not between Rs 5 lakh versus Rs 10 lakh, but rather between genuine insurance versus mere paper promises. While Ayushman Bharat offers authentic, pre-insured protection, the Mukhyamantri Sehat Scheme stands on weak foundations and empty claims.