Few takers for state govt’s health insurance

Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Muktsar, February 1

Even though the state government is providing free health cover of up to Rs 50,000 and life insurance of Rs 5 lakh to the poor under the Bhagat Puran Singh Sehat Bima Yojna, the scheme has got a poor response.

Ever since the process began in October, just 46,000 of the 1.39 lakh people from the below poverty line (BPL) category have got enrolled under the scheme in the district. The government has now extended the last date to make the smart cards for beneficiaries from January 31 to February 8.

But the staff of the private firm that is developing the smart cards do not expect to achieve their target of registering 60 per cent people under the scheme.

They have reportedly visited each village four to five times, but people showed little interest. So now they have now sought help from the district administration. Sources said that in comparison to Muktsar and Malout sub-divisions, the response was better in Gidderbaha.

Sources said people weren’t showing interest in the scheme as some of those who opted for the scheme were denied free treatment at hospitals.

“Since the state government is not even granting any benefits under older schemes, the public is not keen on opting for new plans. Further, the beneficiaries are not ready to pay Rs 30 to get registered under the scheme,” said a village sarpanch pleading anonymity. Sources claimed the situation was similar in other districts too.

Kulwant Singh, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development), Muktsar, said, “We have now roped in our BDPOs and panchayat secretaries to assist the company staff. Besides, sarpanches and municipal councillors have been told to urge people to register for the scheme.” He added with their efforts 15,000 more people opted for the scheme in the last about 20 days.

Meanwhile, the state government has asked farmers and traders to get registered under the scheme. As of now, nearly 25,000 farmers in the district opted for the scheme, said officials of the District Mandi Board.

They said farmers only needed a ‘J’ form (document establishing that a person is into farming) and an Aadhaar card to get enrolled under the scheme.

Courtesy: The Tribune