TV
The newly-formed BJP government has allocated funds for the Ayushman Bharat and Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana in its first budget in place of the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) implemented by the previous government. However, beneficiaries are still in doubt about the benefits they will get from the new schemes.
The Mohan Majhi government has allocated a total of Rs 3,556 crore for the Ayushman Bharat and Gopabandhu Jan Arogya schemes. While Rs 500 crore has been allocated for the Union government’s Ayushman Bharat scheme, Rs 3,056 crore has been allocated for the State government’s own scheme- Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana.
Beneficiaries are apprehensive about how two new schemes will be implemented in place of BSKY which was initiated by the previous Naveen Patnaik government on August 15, 2018. They are also in doubt over the benefits of the new schemes and what kind of beneficiaries will be included in which scheme.
“Confusion has been created about the new schemes across the State. People are in doubt over the future of the schemes. The government needs to clear the air about the confusion as people have lots of expectations from the new government. If people get fewer benefits in the new schemes than the old scheme, there will be resentment among them,” said senior journalist Prasanna Mohanty.
Around 96, 50, 000 BPL and APL families in the State are currently being provided health insurance services under the BSKY. As per the Health Department, all these families will be included in the new health insurance schemes. Around 60 per cent of beneficiaries of BSKY will be included in the Ayushman Bharat scheme meant for only BPL families. The rest of the beneficiaries will be included in Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojna.
Health insurance of Rs 5 lakh each is being provided to the male and female beneficiaries under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. However, as per sources, the Health Department is preparing modalities to provide health insurance of Rs 10 lakh to the female beneficiaries under the scheme in the State as per the provision in BSKY. Provisions will be made accordingly so that the beneficiaries of both the schemes will avail treatment facilities in the hospitals affiliated with BSKY. A blueprint will be prepared in this regard and cards will be issued to the beneficiaries soon.
