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

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.