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UP's poor to get medical aid through CM Fund
The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to empower divisional commissioners to release funds of up to Rs1.5 lakh to help treat poor people suffering from life threatening diseases. HT reports.
The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to empower divisional commissioners to release funds of up to Rs1.5 lakh to help treat poor people suffering from life threatening diseases.
The move will ensure no time is lost in formalities to avail of medical aid.
Earlier, officials were empowered to release aid of up to Rs35,000 only.
The money for the initiative, called Arogya Nidhi, will be released from the chief minister's fund.
"Going by the experience so far, it has come to fore that a formidable time is lost in investigations (for clearance) and approval from government before the money could be released to needy people. And they don't get the benefit timely. Therefore guidelines have been amended," Sanjay Agrawal, principal secretary medical health, said in a letter to senior officials.
However, medical assistance over Rs1.50 lakh will be sanctioned only after approval the chief minister or from the Union health and family welfare ministry in New Delhi.
A district-level committee constituting the district magistrate and the chief medical officer will also be formed for the release of money from the Chief Minister Health Security Fund. "This committee can release amount up to Rs35,000 to critically ill poor people," said SK Singh, additional director health and family welfare.
