Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
AAP Govt misleading people over Health Insurance Scheme: BJP’s Manoranjan Kalia
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, January 5, 2026:Senior Punjab BJP leader, former minister and former state BJP president Manoranjan Kalia on Monday accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of misleading the people of Punjab over its recently announced ₹10 lakh health insurance scheme, calling it a “bundle of lies and hollow promises.”
Addressing the media here, Kalia alleged that the state government is paying an insurance premium of only ₹1 lakh to the insurance company while claiming to provide ₹10 lakh insurance coverage to beneficiaries.
“When the government itself is paying a premium of just ₹1 lakh, how can an insurance company offer coverage worth ₹10 lakh? This is nothing but cheating the people of Punjab,” he said. Punjab BJP Media Head Vineet Joshi was also present during the press interaction.
Kalia further stated that the Punjab government claims the scheme will cover 65 lakh families, representing a population of nearly three crore, with the premium being paid to United India Insurance Company.
However, he alleged that the remaining financial burden has been shifted to the State Health Agency, which ultimately means additional pressure on the state exchequer.
Questioning the financial viability of the scheme, Kalia said the state government is already struggling to meet basic welfare commitments, including the payment of old-age and widow pensions. “How will the government manage such a massive healthcare expenditure when it lacks funds for essential social security schemes?” he asked.
Highlighting Punjab’s deteriorating financial condition, Kalia said the state’s debt has crossed ₹4 lakh crore, with the per capita debt standing at ₹1,23,274. He also pointed out that Punjab’s share in GST revenues has declined by over 40 percent, while Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) is facing outstanding liabilities exceeding ₹10,500 crore.
“This so-called health insurance scheme is not about healthcare, but about misleading people through false claims,” Kalia alleged, adding that the people of Punjab have begun to see through the government’s “deception” and that the AAP government will eventually be held accountable.