Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 04:20am on 12 May 2026,Tuesday Politics
West Bengal will implement the Centre’s Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme from June 1, while women across the state will also begin travelling free on government-run buses from the same date. The state government said existing welfare programmes would continue alongside Ayushman Bharat, ensuring beneficiaries retain access to current schemes. The rollout marks a significant policy shift in West Bengal’s healthcare framework by bringing the state under the Narendra Modi government’s flagship public healthcare initiative, which provides insurance coverage to eligible families. The introduction of free bus travel for women is expected to benefit daily commuters, including students and working professionals, while potentially increasing public transport usage across the state. (PC: X)
