The landmark decision was taken during a Cabinet meeting held at the Chief Minister's official residence.

Punjab Becomes First State to Launch Rs 10 Lakh Cashless Health Scheme for All Families

Chandigarh, July 28: In a groundbreaking move that places public welfare at the heart of governance, the Punjab Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has approved the Chief Minister’s Health Scheme, the first of its kind in India. Under this historic initiative, every family in Punjab will be eligible for free, cashless medical treatment worth up to Rs 10 lakh per year.

The landmark decision was taken during a Cabinet meeting held at the Chief Minister’s official residence. A spokesperson from the Chief Minister’s Office confirmed that the scheme will roll out from October 2, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti — symbolically reinforcing the government’s commitment to inclusive development.

A First in India: Healthcare for All Without Discrimination

Unlike existing models where income thresholds limit eligibility, this scheme covers all three crore residents of Punjab, including government employees and pensioners, without any income cap. This universal model ensures that no one is excluded based on economic status — a transformative shift from earlier policies where only select families received benefits of up to Rs 5 lakh.

With the approval of this scheme, Punjab becomes the first state in India to bring every family under the umbrella of free, universal health coverage, setting a bold precedent for others to follow.

Network of Hospitals and Access

Currently, over 550 private hospitals have been empaneled to provide treatment under the scheme, alongside all government hospitals. The government aims to expand this network to over 1,000 hospitals in the coming months, ensuring wide access to quality healthcare.

Health cards under the scheme will be issued through Sewa Kendras and Common Service Centres (CSCs). Citizens can also register online using Aadhaar or Voter ID. These health cards will enable access to cashless treatment at all listed facilities.

A Comprehensive Social Security Model

With this initiative, Punjab becomes the only state in the country to simultaneously offer free healthcare, education, electricity, and public bus travel, embodying the spirit of “Sarbat da Bhala” — welfare of all — as shown by the Gurus.

The government has emphasized that this model isn't just a welfare scheme, but a step toward building a humane, equitable state where no citizen is deprived of treatment due to financial constraints.

Big Relief for Investors: Notification Adjustment for Real Estate Charges

In a separate decision aimed at addressing investor concerns, the Cabinet has resolved to modify the implementation of charges such as CLU (Change of Land Use), EDC (External Development Charges), LF (License Fee) and others under the Popular Act and Mega Project Policy.

Originally imposed from April 1, 2025, the charges will now apply only to projects submitted after June 4, 2025. Projects filed before that date will be charged according to the earlier policy, ensuring clarity and fairness for ongoing developments.

This change provides significant relief to investors and developers who were facing uncertainty over the imposition of new charges retroactively.

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