The Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab on Sunday accused the Opposition of deliberately misleading the public about the ₹10 lakh health insurance scheme. The party said isolated cases from hospitals that are not part of the scheme are being used to create a false impression, while its actual impact is being ignored. It pointed out that more than 1.72 lakh patients have already received treatment worth ₹292 crore, adding that such criticism either reflects a lack of understanding or a deliberate attempt to confuse beneficiaries and weaken a major welfare initiative.
Punjab Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh responded to claims made by Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa, who had shared a video of a patient from Amritsar. He clarified that the hospital shown in the video, Shoor Hospital, is not empanelled under the scheme. He said that over 600 private hospitals are part of the programme and benefits are available only at these registered facilities. He called it irresponsible for a Leader of the Opposition to share such content without verifying facts, stating that it misleads people and creates unnecessary panic.
Dr Balbir Singh also explained that hospital participation in such schemes is voluntary and no institution can be forced to join. He said that highlighting cases from non empanelled hospitals as failures of the scheme is incorrect and misrepresents how the system works.
Emphasising the scale of the initiative, he said the scheme has already delivered significant benefits across Punjab. According to him, over 1.72 lakh patients have undergone treatment worth ₹292 crore, including major procedures such as heart surgeries, brain operations, joint replacements and emergency care. He said these figures clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of the scheme and criticised attempts to discredit it.
He further called on Partap Singh Bajwa to apologise to the people of Punjab for spreading misinformation and creating confusion about a programme aimed at public welfare.
AAP Punjab chief spokesperson and MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal also responded, questioning the understanding of opposition leaders including Sukhbir Singh Badal, Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Raja Warring. He said it is surprising that leaders who have held senior positions still fail to understand that only empanelled hospitals are authorised to provide treatment under such schemes. He added that their statements either reflect a lack of awareness or an attempt to mislead the public.
Dhaliwal stressed that while there are many hospitals in Punjab, only those approved by the government are authorised under the scheme. He said that instead of guiding people correctly, opposition leaders are spreading confusion and false narratives, which undermines a scheme benefiting lakhs of families.
He also questioned the intent behind such remarks, saying opposition leaders appear more focused on political messaging than public interest. He urged them to verify facts through official sources before making statements, adding that their comments are becoming increasingly irresponsible.
Appealing to the public, Dhaliwal said people should rely only on verified information and not be influenced by misleading claims. He maintained that the ₹10 lakh health insurance scheme is functioning effectively and continues to provide substantial relief to citizens.
