NABANNA EXTENDS HEALTH-CARD SURRENDER DEADLINE: WBHS EMPLOYEES AND PENSIONERS GET ANOTHER MONTH
October 30, 2026
KOLKATA, OCTOBER 30, 2026: The West Bengal government has extended the deadline for surrendering Swasthya Sathi and Ayushman Bharat cards held by state government employees, pensioners and their enrolled beneficiaries under the West Bengal Health Scheme (WBHS). The revised deadline is now November 30, 2026, replacing the earlier October 31 deadline.
The decision was announced by the state Finance Department on Friday after authorities found that a considerable number of employees, pensioners and their family beneficiaries had not completed the mandatory surrender process within the original timeframe.
The directive applies to state government employees and pensioners, including All India Services (AIS) officers, and their enrolled beneficiaries under WBHS who possess Swasthya Sathi and/or Ayushman Bharat cards.
Under the original order issued on October 9, 2026, eligible individuals were instructed to surrender the cards to the respective issuing authorities and submit a prescribed declaration along with documentary proof of surrender.
Employees must submit the declaration and surrender acknowledgement to their respective Heads of Office, while pensioners are required to submit the documents to the authorities responsible for processing their WBHS claims.
The government has instructed Heads of Offices, Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) and pension-sanctioning authorities to take the necessary administrative measures to ensure compliance within the extended deadline.
Importantly, the extension does not alter the other conditions of the original October 9 notification. The earlier order had warned that failure to comply could result in temporary suspension of medical facilities and benefits under WBHS, while non-compliance by serving employees could also invite disciplinary proceedings.
The extension provides affected government employees and pensioners with an additional month to complete the card-surrender procedure and submit the necessary documentation.
