Negligence in Implementation of ‘Ayushman Vayo Vandana’ Scheme: Cards of 2,16,265 Senior Citizens Turn Useless
Bengaluru: The Central Government’s ‘Ayushman Vayo Vandana’ health insurance scheme for citizens above 70 is under scrutiny. MLC Kishor Kumar Puttur raised serious concerns during the Zero Hour in the Legislative Council today. He cited a newspaper report stating that the State Government’s negligence has rendered lakhs of issued cards useless.
The ‘Ayushman Vayo Vandana’ scheme is an expansion of the Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, designed to provide free health insurance coverage up to Rs 5 lakh for all citizens aged above 70. The State Cabinet approved the scheme’s implementation in September 2025, and the Health Department subsequently issued the necessary orders. However, despite these actions, the scheme’s effective implementation on the ground is lacking.
According to Shri Puttur, 2,16,265 senior citizens in the State have been issued cards under the scheme. Regrettably, hospitals are reportedly not accepting these cards, forcing elderly citizens to navigate a frustrating search for medical treatment. The MLC expressed his concern that this non-implementation has rendered these cards “completely ineffective.”
Shri Puttur emphasized the constitutional right to life with dignity and access to healthcare, as enshrined in Article 21 of the Constitution of India. He asserted that ensuring the welfare and social security of senior citizens, a vulnerable segment of society, is a fundamental government responsibility. He further added that a society’s cultural strength is reflected in its treatment of the elderly.
He argued that schemes like ‘Ayushman Vayo Vandana’ are crucial for senior citizens in their later years, providing them with dignity, security, and access to essential healthcare services. Consequently, he strongly urged the State Government to take immediate action to fully implement the scheme without further delay.