Farmer Insurance by October Bhubaneswar : 26/September/2013 In a major boost to the farmers of the state the state government has decided to roll out the family health insurance program for 60 lakh farmers in October. Decision to this effect was taken at a high level meeting, which was held to review the progress of the new State scheme Biju Krushak Kalyan Yojana (BKKY) launched on 2 May this year. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik chaired the meeting on Thursday, where Debi Prasad Mishra, Minister Agriculture, Chief Secretary JK Mohapatra, ACS to CM A P Padhi, Development Commissioner Injeti Srinivas, Principal Secretary of Agriculture Department Rajesh Verma and other senior officials were present. Mr.Patnaik today directed to roll out the program in October, which will benefit about 60 lakh farmers’ families. The bidding process has been over while tender of insurance companies like New India Assurance Company Limited, National Insurance Limited, IFFCO-Tokyo and Reliance Insurance have been finalised. As many as 14 insurance companies participated in the bidding. Giving details of the BKKY, Agriculture & Fishery and Animal Resource Development Minister Debi Prasad Mishra informed that the scheme is being implemented by the Director of Agriculture who was declared as State Nodal Agency (SNA). A project monitoring unit (PMU) has been set up in the Agriculture Directorate. Besides, a high power committee (HPC) has been constituted under the Chief Secretary for monitoring and assessing the scheme. It was revealed that Expenditure Finance Committee (EPF) has approved the scheme and an action plan of Rs 613 crore for four years while Rs 100 crore for the current fiscal have been prepared. NIC has been tasked to preparing software for the new scheme. In line with the insurance scheme of Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY), BKKY is also aimed at giving health coverage to farmers’ families comprising five members. Each family is to pay Rs 30 for enrolment and the medical treatment coverage areas are a little more than RSBY. However, if a beneficiary gives Rs 30 under RSBY, no enrolment charge will be collected from him. On the other hand, a beneficiary under BKKY is entitled to get an amount of Rs 1 lakh towards treatment charges including surgeries. Progress of the new scheme was reviewed and a video conference with field functionaries and Collectors, a State Level Workshop was also organised with Deputy Director of Agriculture and District Agriculture Officers. Farmers are being sensitised about the new scheme and enrolment forms have been provided to all districts. A toll free number 1800 345 6769 has been installed.
Posted on: Sat, 28 Sep 2013 07:35:26 +0000
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