The Crossbill News Desk
A section of Punjab government employees has opposed the state’s newly launched health insurance programme, with a major clerical staff union declining to enrol under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Bima Yojana (MMSBY).
The decision was taken after discussions within the Punjab State Ministerial Services Union (PSMSU), which represents more than 55,000 regular clerical employees across nearly 46 departments.
PSMSU state president Gurnam Singh Virk told The Indian Express, “On March 30, the union formally communicated the decision to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh and Punjab Chief Secretary KAP Sinha that no union employee was keen to get their health cards under MMSBY.”
However, Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh stated that no formal communication had reached him.
“I have not yet received their representation,” he said.
According to Virk, the union examined the scheme before taking its decision.
“We have studied the scheme and found the health packages for various diseases have been fixed, and the amount is very low. Also, employees have expressed their apprehension that opting for MMSBY can lead to discontinuation of the existing reimbursement system and the monthly medical allowances.”
He further added, “Moreover, the Punjab government has long been defaming union employees and not fulfilling our demands. Thus, the union has decided not to get our health cards made under the scheme.”
He explained that regular employees currently receive a monthly medical allowance of Rs 500 and are entitled to reimbursement of medical expenses for themselves, pensioners and dependents under existing government norms, including treatment in both public and private hospitals.
The Punjab government launched MMSBY in January as a universal health insurance scheme promising annual coverage of up to Rs 10 lakh per family through 2,359 predefined treatment packages with fixed rates.
Meanwhile, employee organisations met in Chandigarh on March 26 and resolved to “unite for common demands and intensify joint struggle,” with another meeting scheduled in Ludhiana on April 4 to expand the alliance.
“More unions are likely to reject MMSBY at the meeting on April 4,” Virk said, adding, “If more unions adopt the same position, then nearly three lakh regular employees and around four lakh pensioners will join us.”
While regular staff remain reluctant, contractual and outsourced workers have largely accepted the scheme, with several Punjab Roadways Transport Corporation employees in Patiala enrolling for health cards recently.
The decision was taken after discussions within the Punjab State Ministerial Services Union (PSMSU), which represents more than 55,000 regular clerical employees across nearly 46 departments.
PSMSU state president Gurnam Singh Virk told The Indian Express, “On March 30, the union formally communicated the decision to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh and Punjab Chief Secretary KAP Sinha that no union employee was keen to get their health cards under MMSBY.”
However, Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh stated that no formal communication had reached him.
“I have not yet received their representation,” he said.
According to Virk, the union examined the scheme before taking its decision.
“We have studied the scheme and found the health packages for various diseases have been fixed, and the amount is very low. Also, employees have expressed their apprehension that opting for MMSBY can lead to discontinuation of the existing reimbursement system and the monthly medical allowances.”
He further added, “Moreover, the Punjab government has long been defaming union employees and not fulfilling our demands. Thus, the union has decided not to get our health cards made under the scheme.”
He explained that regular employees currently receive a monthly medical allowance of Rs 500 and are entitled to reimbursement of medical expenses for themselves, pensioners and dependents under existing government norms, including treatment in both public and private hospitals.
The Punjab government launched MMSBY in January as a universal health insurance scheme promising annual coverage of up to Rs 10 lakh per family through 2,359 predefined treatment packages with fixed rates.
Meanwhile, employee organisations met in Chandigarh on March 26 and resolved to “unite for common demands and intensify joint struggle,” with another meeting scheduled in Ludhiana on April 4 to expand the alliance.
“More unions are likely to reject MMSBY at the meeting on April 4,” Virk said, adding, “If more unions adopt the same position, then nearly three lakh regular employees and around four lakh pensioners will join us.”
While regular staff remain reluctant, contractual and outsourced workers have largely accepted the scheme, with several Punjab Roadways Transport Corporation employees in Patiala enrolling for health cards recently.
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