Chattisgarh govt switches to ration cards from Ayushman cards for free health benefits

This move by the government — expected to help about 65 lakh families in the state — brings an end to the existing practice of mandatory smart cards and other cards issued for health benefits.

Updated on: Jan 19, 2020, 08:19:33 IST

Hindustan Times, Raipur | By Ritesh Mishra

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Availing free health benefits in Chhattisgarh will be now a shade easier for all ration card holder families under Dr Khubchand Baghel Swasthya Sahayata Yojna. Now, a person will just have to present an identity proof along issued by the government along with ration card.

Sick children in the laps of their mothers undergoing treatment at a government-run hospital. Image used for representational purpose only. (AP)

This move by the government — expected to help about 65 lakh families in the state — brings to an end the existing practice of mandatory smart cards and other cards issued for health benefits.

The new provision has come into force from January 17 this year in all the contracted hospitals.

The health minister has said that by taking this step, the government has decided to widen the pool of health beneficiaries and included those who do not have Ayushman card. “The reach of Ayushman cards and other smart cards was less in the state, so we decided to use Ration cards instead. It has been made mandatory to bring any one government identification card along with the ration card. About 65 lakh families of the state will benefit from this scheme as opposed to 45 lakhs previously,” health minister TS Singhdeo told Hindustan Times.

“In order to prove their identity, the patients seeking admission in contracted hospitals need to present either Aadhaar Card or any other such government identity card along with their existing priority, Antyodaya or other Ration Cards,” a statement released by the Chhattisgarh’s health ministry read.

Discarding the previous method, the government has also decided to remove the software database of all smart card holders, a statement released by the government stated. It added that this has been done to ensure technical support for the new method of providing health benefits.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More