Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Monday accused the Congress led Punjab Government of ignoring the interests of the farmers in the State.

“Billions of rupees were collected from the beneficiaries of Bhai Ghanaiya Health Service Scheme (BGHSS) through various cooperative societies but they had been issued the cards even  as more than six months had elapsed, debarring thousands of farmers already battling financial hardships and other belonging to the economically weaker sections of society, from affordable medical treatment under the scheme,” said AAP’s senior leader and party’s state Kisan wing chief president.

Sandhwan, who is also Kotkapura MLA, said that lakhs of members of more than 3200 cooperative societies in the State had deposited around Rs 1,800 per member and Rs 433 per dependent member to avail themselves of the scheme, but the beneficiaries had yet to avail themselves of the health benefits under the (BGHSS), leaving the hapless beneficiaries high and dry.

Company withdrawing from the proposed scheme had not only left the beneficiaries and their families go for expensive treatment, but had also left thousands of employees of the co-operative societies face the wrath of beneficiaries, accusing the government of maintaining stoic silence over the issue, he said.

Sandhwan informed that he had, through a letter to the state Chief Secretary, brought the matter to his notice urging him to initiate steps to address the issue sooner than later, failing which he would raise the issue during the next Assembly session.