Every worker’s family to get health insurance: Yogi

Lucknow: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday reiterated govt’s commitment to ensuring security, dignity, and stability in the lives of workers. State govt is rapidly advancing a campaign to connect worker families with comprehensive health security coverage, he said at a programme in Lucknow to launch Shramveer Gaurav Samaroh-2026 on Labour Day.The CM said more than 12 lakh construction workers have received Ayushman card facilities, enabling their families to avail free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh per year. The remaining 16 lakh workers will also be covered under this scheme soon. Based on an average of 5 members per family, this initiative will benefit around 75 to 80 lakh people with health insurance, he added.Yogi said govt aims to extend direct benefits of this scheme to at least 1 crore worker families—about 5 crore people in Uttar Pradesh—which will prove to be a milestone in the history of labour welfare in the state.He lauded the workers as the ‘architects’ of PM Narendra Modi’s vision of a New India. “Our workers neither stop nor tire, irrespective of heat, rain or harsh weather. Every drop of their sweat contributes to prosperity,” he said.Yogi said it was a “paradox” that labourers who built houses for others did not have homes of their own, adding that the government has worked to address these issues in recent years.Yogi said that under the leadership of PM Modi, around four crore houses have been provided across the country in the last 12 years, including 65 lakh in Uttar Pradesh. He also said that free ration is being provided to about 16 crore people in the state and alleged that earlier benefits meant for the poor were siphoned off.While honouring meritorious students of the first batch of Atal Residential Schools, the CM said these schools have set a new benchmark. “These children have secured positions in the CBSE board merit list and have upheld the dignity of their parents’ hard work,” he saidReferring to the Covid-19 pandemic, Yogi said opposition parties were absent during the crisis, while the double-engine govt ensured support to migrant workers returning to the state. Yogi said employment opportunities have increased significantly in the past nine years, with around three crore people getting work in the MSME sector.Under the Chief Minister Farmers Accident Insurance Scheme, workers are now being provided insurance coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh, and assistance ranging from Rs 700 to 1000 crore is provided annually to affected worker families.“If work has been done, then wages must also be paid; if anyone refuses to pay wages, the govt will take strict action against them,” said Yogi, adding that 116 ESIC dispensaries are operational in 41 UP districts and proposal to establish one ESIC dispensary each in the remaining 34 districts soon.Chief Minister added, under the Maternity, Infant and Girl Child Assistance Scheme, support is being provided to worker families, with more than 6 lakh beneficiaries already covered. Additionally, worker dormitories are being constructed to provide better accommodation facilities, including affordable and quality canteens offering nutritious food. Clean toilets, bathrooms, and recreational facilities will also be ensured. Security through CCTV cameras, common areas, and guard arrangements are also being incorporated in these dormitories.“Industrial unrest must not be allowed under any circumstances; where there is industrial unrest, nothing remains except ruins.” Those who oppose prosperity and development do not want industries to function. They will try to mislead people, but we must not be misled. Industries and workers must progress together.