The Government of Punjab has announced it will cover eight and a half lakh families of farmers under health insurance for the year 2021-2022. To ease the process the ‘Punjab Mandi Board’ has launched a portal, an unprecedented move. This means farmers don’t need not to visit market committee offices to apply by hand anymore. Those seeking coverage under this scheme can log onto the Mandi Board site www.emandikaran-pb.in, and upload relevant documents. Punjab Mandi Board Chairman Lal Singh said that the board will pay the entire premium for the insurance cover of farmers, who can avail cashless treatment for up to Rs five lakh per year. Farmers and their families will enjoy coverage with effect from August 20, 2021.

The previous year 5.01 lakh farmers were given health insurance. Mr Lal Singh clarified that these people, who were registered under the Ayushman Bharat Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana do not need to reapply for health insurance all over again. Meanwhile, Mandi Board Secretary Ravi Bhagat clarified that farmers eligible for the coverage can apply online on the portal to avail of health facilities from empanelled hospitals from August 20 this year.