PRTC Members, Transport Workers Now Under Healthcare Benefits Net As Punjab CM Mann Expands Govt Scheme

A two-day Sehat Camp organised at the PRTC head office in Patiala on April 1 and 2 brought Punjab’s transport workforce directly under the ambit of the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna (MMSY), with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann-led Government stepping in to bridge a long-standing gap in healthcare access for one of the state’s most mobile and underserved working communities.Bus drivers, autorickshaw operators, taxi workers and their families were enrolled on the spot, ensuring that those who keep Punjab moving are no longer left behind in accessing timely and affordable healthcare.Over the two days, several individuals were enrolled, including PRTC members and their families, with Sehat Cards issued immediately. Each card enables cashless healthcare coverage

of up to Rs 10 lakh per family per year, offering critical financial protection to workers who often delay treatment due to irregular incomes, long working hours and the physical strain of their profession.Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr. Balbir Singh said, “Bringing transport workers under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna is an important step, as they are constantly on the move and often delay treatment. With this coverage, they and their families can now access care without hesitation, knowing that the system will support them when needed."PRTC Chairman Harpal Juneja stated, “Our transport workers play a critical role in keeping Punjab connected. Ensuring their health security is equally important. This camp simplifies access and allows them and their families to come under coverage without disrupting their work.”AAP Punjab General Secretary and media in-charge Baltej Pannu noted that the strong participation reflected growing confidence in the scheme among transport workers. He said, "They are coming forward because they can see the impact in their own lives, not in government data but on the road, in their families. For workers who have spent years without reliable health cover, that assurance changes things. It reflects a growing trust in the Bhagwant Singh Mann Government’s commitment to making healthcare genuinely accessible."In a notable instance during the camp, Mahinder Singh, a visually impaired 63-year-old senior citizen and former PRTC worker, was enrolled under the scheme, highlighting how the on-ground model is reaching individuals who face the greatest barriers in accessing government services independently.The inclusion of transport workers marks a significant expansion of the scheme’s outreach, bringing both organised and semi-organised workforce groups under comprehensive health coverage.The initiative builds on the rapidly expanding scale of the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna across Punjab. So far, over 30 lakh Sehat Cards have been issued, with more than 50,000 residents enrolling daily across districts. The Punjab government has further strengthened the programme with a Rs 2,000 crore allocation in the 2026–27 Budget to enhance its reach and capacity.The Bhagwant Mann Government continues to encourage residents to enroll for Sehat Cards through designated centres and on-ground camps to avail cashless treatment benefits under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna.