Punjab’s Health Push Gets Major Boost as Arvind Kejriwal, CM Mann Dedicate 109 Aam Aadmi Clinics

The Punjab Government, led by the Aam Aadmi Party, has expanded Aam Aadmi Clinics to 990 installations and announced 400 more. The programme provides free consultations, medicines, tests, and health cards, complemented by a state health insurance scheme and welfare measures for farmers and families, funded by the state government.

The Punjab Government led by the Aam Aadmi Party has expanded its flagship healthcare model by inaugurating 109 new Aam Aadmi Clinics, taking the total to 990 in four years, with 400 more planned soon. AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal said these neighbourhood centres offer 107 medicines and 47 diagnostic tests at no cost and have already recorded 5 crore OPD visits across the state.

Kejriwal also highlighted a parallel health insurance programme, under which health cards are being issued to 65 lakh families in Punjab. According to Kejriwal, 30 lakh cards have already been prepared and 1.65 lakh people have received treatment using this cover. Kejriwal linked these schemes to AAP’s broader welfare model, warning that a change in government could reverse benefits such as free healthcare and electricity.

Aam Aadmi Clinics expansion and healthcare model in Punjab

Addressing a public gathering in Fatehgarh Sahib, Arvind Kejriwal said, "109 new Aam Aadmi Clinics are being inaugurated, where the poor will receive treatment and free medicines. In the last four years, 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics have already been built. Today, 109 more are being added, taking the total to 990 Aam Aadmi Clinics. In the coming days, 400 more Aam Aadmi Clinics will be built, which means there will be around 1500 Aam Aadmi Clinics across Punjab."

Explaining the spread of Aam Aadmi Clinics, Kejriwal said, "In every corner of Punjab, in every village and 'mohalla', you will find an Aam Aadmi Clinic. If you have a minor illness, you can go there for treatment. The doctor consultation is free, the treatment is free, the tests are free, and the medicines are free. In the last 75 years, all other parties ruled Punjab, Congress ruled, BJP ruled, Akali Dal ruled, but not a single clinic was opened by them. Not a single clinic was opened where people could get such facilities and quality treatment."

Kejriwal underlined how often residents rely on these Aam Aadmi Clinics. "Within four years, the Aam Aadmi Party government has ensured free treatment across Punjab. So far, there have been 5 crore OPD visits. Punjab has a population of 3 crore, which means many people have visited multiple times. There are diabetes patients who go every month for medicines, there are blood pressure patients who go every month, and others who may have gone once, twice, or three times. But now people are receiving such facilities."

To show how these Aam Aadmi Clinics are being monitored, Kejriwal described feedback calls. "From CM Bhagwant Singh Mann's office, calls were made to all patients who visited Aam Aadmi Clinics. They were asked about their experience, they said it was very good. When asked if they faced any issues, they said no. They confirmed they received medicines and proper treatment from doctors. People gave immense blessings over the phone to Bhagwant Singh Mann, to the Aam Aadmi Party, and to all of us. Not a single person complained. Why? Because everything is being monitored from the Chief Minister's office. There is no shortage of medicines, no shortage of tests, no shortage of doctors."

Kejriwal stressed that the Aam Aadmi Clinics are kept functional through tight supervision. "Whenever there is even a small issue, immediate instructions are issued from the top to fix it. Otherwise, it often happens that government dispensaries and clinics are built but do not function, and within ten days, they are left abandoned. But Aam Aadmi Clinics are not like that. Each clinic is being monitored closely by the Chief Minister's office and all work is being carried out properly. From these 5 crore OPD visits, nearly 1.5 to 2 crore people have received treatment and given their blessings. In the last four years, we have earned your blessings, not money. We have not earned even a single penny, we have earned your blessings," he asserted.

Aam Aadmi Clinics, health insurance and private hospital access

Placing Aam Aadmi Clinics within a larger healthcare plan, Kejriwal detailed the 'Mukh Mantri Sehat Bima Yojana’. "CM Bhagwant Singh Mann has started the 'Mukh Mantri Sehat Bima Yojana'. Aam Aadmi Clinics have been set up near your homes for every poor family. God forbid you ever need it, but if you do, you should not worry about money. And if someone suffers from a serious illness like cancer, a heart attack, or needs a knee replacement, what will they do? Government hospitals are being improved, but it will take time. Until then, we have launched another scheme. The best private hospitals, where even Bhagwant Singh Mann goes for treatment, such as Fortis Hospital in Mohali, have now been opened for you as well. Any farmer, labourer, rickshaw puller, teacher, or any citizen of Punjab can get free treatment in the same hospitals where the Chief Minister, ministers, and MLAs get treated."

Kejriwal said opposition parties questioned this health cover while Aam Aadmi Clinics and government hospitals expand. He added that Congress and BJP leaders claimed poor patients should restrict themselves to government facilities and warned that such schemes would "spoil" them. Kejriwal countered by asking whether low-income families should not receive care in the best hospitals and insisted that treatment must remain free for them.

Describing the public mood, Kejriwal said that when rival leaders tried to campaign against AAP’s health initiatives, including Aam Aadmi Clinics and the insurance scheme, people pushed back. According to Kejriwal, protesters were "chased away" from villages, and he said that residents are now directly confronting those criticising these welfare measures.

Aam Aadmi Clinics, free electricity and welfare guarantees

Beyond Aam Aadmi Clinics, Kejriwal contrasted electricity policy in Punjab and Delhi. "We have made electricity free across Punjab. Punjab and Delhi were the only two states where electricity was free under Aam Aadmi Party governments. Now that Delhi no longer has our government, I've heard within six months free electricity may be stopped there. In Punjab, you are getting free electricity because of the Aam Aadmi Party government. If by mistake you vote for those people, think about what will happen in Punjab."

Kejriwal linked the fate of Aam Aadmi Clinics and other schemes to political control in Delhi. "In Delhi, after our government went, all Mohalla Clinics were shut, medicines and tests in government hospitals were stopped, and now they are planning to end free electricity. Tickets for free bus travel for women have also been stopped. That is why the Aam Aadmi Party is necessary. Do not vote for other parties even by mistake," he emphasised.

The AAP leader also listed welfare steps taken for farmers alongside Aam Aadmi Clinics and health schemes. "For farmers, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann has done a lot. Earlier, electricity for irrigation would come at 3 am or 4 am, sometimes only for half an hour. Now you get 7 to 8 hours of continuous electricity during the day, even up to 12 hours. There is no need to wake up at night anymore. Canal water is now reaching every field. Earlier only 22 percent farmers had irrigation water, now 78 percent farmers across Punjab have access to it. Earlier, after selling crops in mandis, farmers had to wait three to four months for payments. Now you take your crop in the morning, return home by evening, and before that you receive a message that your payment has been credited. Payments are now made the same day."

Kejriwal detailed financial guarantees for women, presented as part of AAP’s social security net along with Aam Aadmi Clinics and free electricity. "All these facilities are due to the Aam Aadmi Party government. Soon, the biggest announcement will be implemented, where ₹1000 per month will be deposited into every woman's account. Registration will begin around Baisakhi. For SC women, ₹1500 will be provided. Any woman above 18 years of age who is a resident of Punjab can register and start receiving the benefit. With this, we have fulfilled all our guarantees."

Aam Aadmi Clinics and political messaging by AAP leadership

Responding to corruption allegations, Kejriwal linked Aam Aadmi Clinics and other schemes to what Kejriwal called a "politics of work" that rivals wanted to stop. "Many people have made false allegations against me, against Manish Sisodia, and against senior leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party. They said Kejriwal took money, Kejriwal committed corruption, Kejriwal took ₹100 crore, and carried out a liquor scam. They put us in jail, I was kept in jail for six months, Manish Sisodia was kept in jail for one and a half years. Such powerful forces are after us. But now the court has said there is no evidence against Kejriwal, not a single piece of evidence."

Kejriwal said the court ruling reinforced his image while Aam Aadmi Clinics and schools continued functioning. "The court upheld in its order that Kejriwal is 'kattar imaandar' (staunchly honest) and has not committed any wrongdoing, and that BJP leaders are lying. People asked me how such a miracle happened. I said even I find it hard to believe. But there is a higher power that stands with truth and supports honest people. This happened because in Delhi, we treated the poor, opened hospitals, and set up Mohalla Clinics. We treated crores of people and opened schools for poor children. The blessings and prayers of the poor are with us, God is with us, Guru Maharaj is with us, and as long as God is with us, no force can harm us."

Looking back at AAP’s election promises, Kejriwal claimed that commitments made in 2022, including Aam Aadmi Clinics and welfare schemes, had been honoured. The AAP leader said that CM Bhagwant Singh Mann and Kejriwal delivered on every guarantee and also undertook additional projects, such as building 4000 kilometres of roads to link villages and creating sports grounds in each village, with equipment planned next.

Framing the coming polls as a test of support for Aam Aadmi Clinics and other programmes, Kejriwal said, "Other parties have nothing left to say. They only abuse us on Twitter. When they go to villages, people chase them away. They have now become Twitter (now X) parties. The Aam Aadmi Party must be brought back. Last time, you gave 92 seats. This time, do not give even a single seat to them. Give all 117 seats to the Aam Aadmi Party so that CM Bhagwant Singh Mann's hands are strengthened and we can work even harder."

Aam Aadmi Clinics, governance debate and criticism of rivals

Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann used the Fatehgarh Sahib event, which also showcased Aam Aadmi Clinics, to draw a contrast with opposition rallies. "From this stage, we are talking about education, health, power, agriculture, and other sectors, whereas on the stages of other parties, only claims are being made to grab power. These opportunist leaders are baffled because people are not responding to them. Their agenda is limited to the welfare of their own families, not the people. Sukhbir Badal is carrying leaders of the 'Smack Organization of India' to plunder the state, and this is not acceptable."

Bhagwant Singh Mann recalled how earlier leaderships, which did not build Aam Aadmi Clinics, allegedly mishandled governance. "Even Parkash Singh Badal never made Sukhbir the head of the state because he knew he would push Punjab into disarray. The Akali party was once known as the party of martyrs, but the Badal family ruined it by selling and supplying drugs to the youth, laying the pyres of our generations. They have misused the SGPC and the money from the golak of Gurudwaras for their own vested interests."

The Chief Minister accused former rulers of ignoring key justice issues while AAP focuses on services like Aam Aadmi Clinics. "The former Deputy Chief Minister talks about development but turns a blind eye to Kotakpura, Behbal Kalan, and other places where 'beadbi' (sacrilege) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib took place and innocents were killed. Their Punjab Bachao Yatra is nothing but a 'Parivar Bachao Yatra'. After looting the state for 15 years, from whom are they trying to save Punjab? The Akalis have plundered the state mercilessly, bruised the psyche of Punjabis, and patronised mafias."

Aam Aadmi Clinics, irrigation projects and infrastructure upgrades

Mann said that while Aam Aadmi Clinics expand public health access, irrigation networks are also being upgraded. "People know the true character of the Akalis and the Badal family, which is why their theatrics will not work anymore. We have revived 6900 km of watercourses and 18,349 channels to ensure water reaches the tail ends, benefiting farmers immensely. Earlier, canals would stop at the residences of certain leaders, and they never bothered about the farmers."

According to Mann, decisions such as scaling up irrigation and Aam Aadmi Clinics reflect AAP’s claim of understanding ground conditions. "Such decisions can only be taken by those who understand ground realities, not those educated in convent schools in the hills. Traditional parties have always betrayed Punjab and its people. They are envious because we have set an agenda focused on the welfare of the common man, while they only played musical chairs to take turns looting the state."

Mann argued that the decisive 2022 mandate allowed schemes like Aam Aadmi Clinics and new irrigation works to move ahead. "This dirty game stopped when people gave us a massive mandate. Since then, we have taken several pro-people initiatives, which is why we are being targeted. These leaders have no vision for Punjab and are driven only by personal ambition. On the other hand, we have provided free electricity to 90 percent of households, given jobs to more than 65,000 youth without corruption, improved roads, closed toll plazas saving ₹70 lakh daily, and strengthened infrastructure."

Aam Aadmi Clinics, direct benefit schemes and toll reforms

Bhagwant Singh Mann linked direct cash schemes to the same welfare approach that delivered Aam Aadmi Clinics. "We have launched the Maavan Dhian Satkar Yojna under which women above 18 years will receive ₹1000 per month, and ₹1500 for women from SC community. The tax money belongs to the people, and we are using it for their welfare. It is coming back to them through development, schools, hospitals, and roads. We have fulfilled all our guarantees, and we will continue working for the progress of the state. We have closed 19 toll plazas in Punjab, saving ₹64 lakh daily for the common man. We have fulfilled every promise made to the people and will continue to do so. Our sole agenda is the progress of Punjab and the prosperity of its people."

Mann also criticised various political opponents while defending initiatives such as Aam Aadmi Clinics and irrigation projects. Mann said Sukhbir Singh Badal, educated in a convent school, does not understand Punjab’s basic geography but still wants to govern it. The Chief Minister accused Captain Amarinder Singh and family of aligning repeatedly with powers like the Mughals, British rulers and now BJP, against Punjab’s interests.

Continuing his attack, Mann described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as "a master of phraseology" who can attach Modi’s image to any issue when convenient. He said that in Congress many leaders aspire to be Chief Minister, claiming the party "has more CMs than workers". Mann referred to a recent rally where the party’s top leader publicly scolded state leaders, calling Congress a divided organisation facing internal collapse.

Aam Aadmi Clinics and new canal projects for farmers

Mann questioned the credibility of leaders who criticise welfare schemes such as Aam Aadmi Clinics and the irrigation upgrades. "It is unfortunate that senior Congress leaders who come to unite these factions cannot even pronounce their names properly. They have no vision for Punjab and only want to plunder its wealth. Earlier, these parties waited for their turn to grab power, but now the broom is here to clean their mess. We are exploring the feasibility of putting high tension wires passing through farmers' land underground. This will be implemented soon and will provide major relief to farmers, as these wires pose a huge risk to them and their crops."

The Chief Minister announced new irrigation works designed to complement farmer benefits already highlighted by Kejriwal and Aam Aadmi Clinics. "Today, two major irrigation projects are being launched in Fatehgarh Sahib with an investment of ₹41.22 crore to deliver canal water to farmers' fields. This includes the concrete lining of the 1L Distributary, Sangatpura Minor, Reethkheri Minor, and Chaleila Sub-Minor. Earlier, due to low capacity, surplus water flowed to Haryana while Punjab's fields suffered. Now every drop of Punjab's river water will reach Punjab's fields, benefiting 41,726 acres across 70 villages," he shared.

Mann gave technical details of the upgradation alongside outlining how Aam Aadmi Clinics serve local communities. "The capacity of 1L will increase from 95.5 cusecs to 142.91 cusecs. Sangatpura Minor will increase from 17 to 30.74 cusecs, Reethkheri Minor from 49.70 to 73.69 cusecs, and Chaleila Sub-Minor from 18.80 to 31.27 cusecs. This canal originated from the Bhakra Main Line in 1960, but over time, structural weakening reduced its efficiency. With concrete lining, carrying capacity will increase by 1.5 times. We have restored 21,000 feet of previously non-functional sections of Reethkheri and Chaleila minors, which will provide irrigation to an additional 6,534 acres. Since 2022, around 11,477 acres of land have already been brought under canal irrigation."

Key canal capacity changes linked to the Fatehgarh Sahib project were presented as follows:

Alongside the Aam Aadmi Clinics launch and irrigation announcements, several senior leaders were present at Fatehgarh Sahib. The event saw participation from senior AAP leader and Punjab Prabhari Manish Sisodia and Cabinet Ministers Aman Arora, Dr. Balbir Singh, Tarunpreet Singh Sond, Barinder Goyal, Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Dr. Ravjot, Harbhajan Singh ETO, Mohinder Bhagat and others, signalling party backing for the healthcare and infrastructure push.

Through the combination of Aam Aadmi Clinics, cash schemes, free power, irrigation upgrades and political messaging, AAP leaders sought to portray their government as focused on everyday concerns such as health, farming and public services. They argued that all earlier guarantees have been implemented and said future efforts would continue in the same direction, while strongly criticising rival parties’ records and internal divisions.