With elections due later this year, the Delhi government is ready with a pre-poll bonanza as per the directions of the Central government. It would provide health insurance to around 5 lakh families who have Below Poverty Line (BPL) cards in the national Capital.
Union Finance Minister P
Chidambaram announced this in the Budget. The Delhi government has done the spadework for the introduction of the scheme at least six months before the assembly polls.
Industry and Labour Minister Mangat Ram Singhal on Friday said the health insurance would be for a maximum expenditure of Rs. 30,000. In addition, Rs. 1,000 would be paid as charges for getting the patient to the hospital or dispensary where treatment takes place. “The maximum limit could be increased depending on the disease. The state would bear the expenditure above Rs.30,000 on case to case basis,” Singhal said.
According to estimates, around 30 lakh people in the Capital would benefit from the latest largesse from the Central and the state governments. All the BPL cardholders would have to register themselves for the scheme. They will have to pay a nominal fee of Rs. 30 per year to get a Smart Card which would help them get medical facility in private and government hospitals. The scheme, however, is meant for a family of five. If a BPL cardholder family comprises more than five members, the head of the family would be required to give names of only five members who would avail the facility.
The premium of Rs. 800 per year would be borne by the Central and the state governments in the ratio of 75:25.