Assam: Shah launches Ayushman Bharat scheme for armed forces

GUWAHATI

Union home minister Amit Shah on January 23 rolled out the “Ayushman CAPF” scheme, extending the benefits of the central health insurance programme to the personnel of all armed police forces in the country.

Shah ceremoniously distributed the “Ayushman CAPF” health cards among some personnel from the seven central armed police forces (CAPF) of CRPF, BSF, ITBP, SSB, CISF, NSG and Assam Rifles at a programme held at the CRPF Group Centre at 9th Mile here.

Under this scheme, around 28 lakh personnel of CAPF, Assam Rifles and National Security Guard (NSG) and their families will be covered by the “Ayushman Bharat: Pradhan Mantri Jan ArogyaYojana” (AB PM-JAY).

A memorandum of understanding was signed between the National Health Authority and the Union Home ministry at the programme where Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai and State Health minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma were present.

Shah said that after assuming office as the Union home minister he had several interactions with the CAPF personnel and came to know that quality medical treatment for them and their family was one of their major concerns apart from adequate housing facilities.

“With the launch of “Ayushman CAPF” their concerns have been removed as they could avail cashless treatment facilities in 24,000 hospitals across the country,” he said.

The Union Home minister also informed that a target of complete implementation of “Ayushman CAPF” is set on May 1, 2021, when all CAPF personnel would be brought under its ambit.

He said that housing facilities were also being constructed for CAPF personnel at a rapid pace and a system was being prepared for filling up the vacant posts in the forces so that new recruits could replace the retiring officials on time.

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Shah also said that a system was being put in place to ensure that every CAPF jawan spends at least 100 days in a year with his family to reduce the stress of being away from home for long durations.

Shah further thanked the CAPF personnel for their dedicated and selfless services rendered during the pandemic.

(Edited by Christopher Gatphoh)