Asia Press Agency

Tag: Welfare scheme

  • Minister Urges States to Join Ayushman Bharat Health Scheme

    Minister Urges States to Join Ayushman Bharat Health Scheme

    Union Minister of State (Health) SP Singh Baghel has called on the state governments of Delhi, Odisha, and West Bengal to join the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) scheme. This move comes as part of a renewed push to expand the reach of the government’s flagship healthcare program, which provides critical health coverage to economically disadvantaged individuals.

     

    The AB PM-JAY scheme, often referred to as “Modicare,” offers comprehensive health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh for eligible beneficiaries. It aims to address the healthcare needs of vulnerable populations and reduce the financial burden of medical expenses on families living below the poverty line.

     

    The call for these states to join the scheme was made during a two-day celebration called Arogya Manthan, which commenced in New Delhi. The event marks a significant milestone—five years of AB PMJAY’s implementation and two years of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).

     

    During the inaugural session of Arogya Manthan, Minister Baghel highlighted the pivotal role of Ayushman Bharat in transforming healthcare accessibility in India. He emphasized that the scheme has enabled economically disadvantaged individuals to access high-quality medical treatment, bridging the gap between the rich and the poor.

     

    One of the significant achievements of the program is the staggering number of hospital admissions. Over 5.59 crore hospital admissions have been facilitated under PM-JAY since its inception. This indicates the substantial demand for healthcare services among India’s underserved populations.

     

    The inclusion of 27,343 hospitals in the scheme, both public and private, further underscores its widespread reach. These empaneled healthcare facilities offer cashless and portable treatment options to beneficiaries, ensuring that they receive necessary medical care without financial constraints.

     

    States that have actively embraced the program and demonstrated effective implementation were recognized and awarded during the event. Categories for recognition included gender equity in service delivery, efficient grievance redressal mechanisms, and the highest number of treatments provided.

     

    Kerala, Meghalaya, and Puducherry received awards for achieving the highest number of treatments in the categories of large state, small state, and union territory, respectively. These accolades underscore the commitment of these regions to delivering quality healthcare services to their populations.

     

    Furthermore, Karnataka, Meghalaya, and Jammu and Kashmir were honored for their achievements in promoting gender equity in service delivery, an essential aspect of ensuring equitable healthcare access.

     

    In addition to the awards, special recognition was given to AIIMS Delhi for generating the highest number of ABHA Scan and Share tokens, showcasing the institution’s dedication to leveraging technology for healthcare delivery.

     

    The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) has also played a crucial role in strengthening the program. It has resulted in the creation of over 45 crore Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) IDs, registration of 2,19,546 health facilities, and onboarding of approximately 2,28,794 healthcare professionals.

     

    As India continues its efforts to provide affordable and accessible healthcare to all citizens, the celebration of Ayushman Bharat’s achievements serves as a reminder of the significant progress made in improving the health and well-being of millions. The call for the remaining states to join the AB PM-JAY scheme underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind in accessing essential healthcare services.

  • Parliamentary Panel : Implement welfare schemes for gig workers

    Parliamentary Panel : Implement welfare schemes for gig workers

    There is no specific welfare scheme by the government for gig and platform workers and unorganized sector workers despite its previous recommendation, a parliamentary panel has asked the Ministry of Labour and Employment to implement welfare schemes for such workers.

     

    Earlier, the Standing Committee had recommended that since gig and platform workers do not come under the purview of Employees Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, appropriate welfare schemes for unorganized sector workers like gig and platform workers need to be formulated by the government.

     

    The Ministry in its reply to the Committee had then said that a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed in January this year with The Centre for Labour Studies, National Law School of India University, Bangalore for assistance in framing of a new scheme for the gig and platform workers as well as workers in the unorganised sector.

     

    The Code on Social Security, 2020 has proposed social security schemes for gig workers and platform workers on matters relating to life and disability cover, accident insurance, health and maternity benefits, old age protection, etc. However, the Code is yet to come into force.

     

    The Committee n Labour, Textiles, Skill Development, therefore, reiterate their earlier recommendation and stress that appropriate Schemes be formulated and operationalised for the benefit of Gig and Platform Workers at the earliest. The Standing Committee has also asked the Ministry and EPFO to work out the financial implications and ensure funds for higher pension.

     

    The EPFO had extended the deadline to apply for higher pensions till July 11, the second such extension within two months. Employers got additional time of three months till September 30. For the higher pension option, 16.06 lakh applications were estimated to have been received, an EPFO statement dated June 26 had said.