Punjab widens health cover net, brings transport workers into state scheme

Chandigarh: In a move aimed at extending social security to a largely unprotected workforce, Punjab has stepped up enrolment of transport workers under its state health insurance programme, targeting drivers, auto-rickshaw operators and other on-road service providers.

A recent two-day enrolment drive saw workers sign up for cashless treatment benefits, with officials facilitating on-the-spot registration and issuance of health cards. The exercise is part of a broader push to bring informal sector workers within the ambit of publicly funded healthcare.

The scheme offers annual coverage of up to ₹10 lakh per family, a provision that officials say could reduce out-of-pocket expenditure for a segment that often delays treatment due to cost concerns. Transport workers, many of whom operate without stable incomes or employer-backed insurance, are seen as particularly vulnerable to medical shocks.

State authorities indicate that over 30 lakh families are already covered under the programme, with plans to expand further in the current financial year. The inclusion of mobile and self-employed workers reflects a shift in policy focus towards occupations that fall outside traditional welfare frameworks.

Health economists point out that while headline coverage numbers have improved, the effectiveness of such schemes depends on awareness, hospital access and timely claim settlement. In many cases, beneficiaries remain unaware of entitlements or face hurdles in availing cashless treatment.

The administration, however, maintains that targeted drives such as these help bridge that gap. By taking registration to transport hubs and worker clusters, it hopes to increase both enrolment and utilisation.

As states continue to compete on welfare delivery, Punjab’s latest outreach underscores a growing recognition that healthcare access must keep pace with the realities of an informal and mobile workforce.