Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna (RSBY), the centre’s flagship scheme, meant to enhance the life of poor in health care sector is facing glitches and is on complete halt in the state. So much so that more than 20 lakh RSBY beneficiaries holding Smart Cards are devoid of benefits covered under the scheme since September 2015 in the state.
Though the Health and Family Welfare department has finally taken a step ahead to resolve the issue and provide the beneficiaries all the assistances under designated schemes, the process seems to be very slow and time taking. The scheme has been lingering in the State since long for implementation after September 2015.
“Health department will draft a comprehensive insurance soon. RSBY will be linked up with additional coverage benefiting both secondary and tertiary sector. Presently, concerned officials are working on schemes and documentation project,” said Health Secretary K Vidyasagar.
The RSBY, which was run by the Ministry of labour and Employment earlier, was transferred to the Department of Health and Family Welfare on January 6, earlier this year. The State Cabinet decided to transfer the ‘Jharkhand State labour Welfare Society’ meant for execution of the RSBY to the health department. Notably, after September 30, 2015, the RSBY cards became ineffective as the beneficiaries were not provided with the essential benefits as subscribed under the scheme by the service providers.
“RSBY is a wider concept now, which aims to cover and benefit maximum people. We are working afresh on the new scheme. The department will float a tender and invite the insurance company for bidding procedure in accordance with the new scheme. The scheme will be launched afresh within three months or even earlier covering various facets,” pointed out Vidyasagar.
Approximately, there are more than 20 lakh beneficiaries in the state covered under the scheme. By the time the scheme is restarted the renewal of the policies will also be due, resulting in the loss of over Rs6 crore paid by the beneficiaries at the rate of Rs30 per card.
launched in the year 2008 RSBY is Union Government’s flagship scheme primarily meant for poor workers of unorganised sector in the country. The objective of the scheme is to provide health insurance coverage for Below Poverty line (BPl) households.