Punjab announces Rs 30 lakh accidental insurance cover for ASHA workers; Cheema to take up allowance issue with Centre
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, June 24, 2026: Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Wednesday announced that ASHA workers and ASHA facilitators in the state will be covered under a life insurance scheme providing ₹30 lakh compensation in case of accidental death and ₹5 lakh in case of natural death.
The announcement came during a meeting between the Finance Minister and representatives of the ASHA Workers and Facilitators Union, Punjab, who thanked the state government for introducing the long-pending welfare measure aimed at providing financial security to frontline healthcare workers and their families.
During the meeting, union representatives also raised concerns over certain allowances that were discontinued by the Central Government.
Taking note of the issue, Cheema directed the Health and Family Welfare Department to prepare a detailed report and said the Punjab Government would take up the matter with the Centre seeking restoration of the benefits.
The Finance Minister held discussions with several employee unions as part of a series of meetings to address pending service and welfare-related issues. Delegations from transport, agriculture and education sector unions also submitted their demands, including regularisation of services, salary revisions and other employment-related concerns.
Among the organisations that met Cheema were the Contract PRTC Workers Union, Punjab Roadways (PUNBUS) State Transport Workers Union, Punjab Roadways PUNBUS/PRTC Contract Workers Union, Punjab Transport Staff Association, Sanjukt ATMA Punjab Association (SAPA) and the TET Pass Non-Teaching Staff Union.
According to an official statement, Cheema assured the employee representatives that the state government remains committed to protecting workers’ interests and directed the concerned departments to examine and process genuine demands in a time-bound manner.
The meetings formed part of the Punjab Government’s ongoing engagement with employee organisations on welfare, service conditions and pending administrative issues.