State not implementing Centre’s health scheme for senior citizens properly, says MLC

MLC Kishore Kumar Puttur criticizes the State for poor implementation of the Centre's health scheme for senior citizens.

Kishore Kumar Puttur, MLC, alleged on Tuesday that the State government is not properly implementing the Union government’s ‘Ayushman Vayo Vandana’ health insurance scheme meant for senior citizens above 70 years.

Speaking during Zero Hour in the Legislative Council, the MLC said that the Union government expanded the Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana to provide free health insurance coverage up to ₹5 lakh for all citizens aged above 70 under the ‘Vayo Vandana’ scheme. The State Cabinet had approved the implementation of this scheme in September 2025, and the Health Department had issued necessary orders. “However, unfortunately, the scheme has not been effectively implemented on the ground,” he alleged.

Mr. Kumar said that so far, 2,16,265 senior citizens in the State have been issued cards under this scheme. However, as hospitals are not accepting these cards, elderly citizens are forced to run from one hospital to another in search of treatment. “These cards have become completely ineffective,” he alleged.

For senior citizens in the twilight of their lives, schemes like ‘Ayushman Vayo Vandana’ are crucial to ensure dignity, security, and access to healthcare. The MLC urged the State government to implement the scheme in full spirit, a release from the MLC’s office said.