Health insurance scheme not dropped: CM

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 9 (UNI) Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan told the state assembly today that the government had no intention to drop the Universal Health Insurance Scheme for families below the poverty line.

Replying to a submission by Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy, he said the scheme could not be implemented in its present form as it involved a private sector insurance company.

As per the directive of the Centre, only public sector insurance companies should be associated for its implementation. This had been clarified by Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram through a letter to the former Chief Minister.

Mr Achuthanandan said the private sector insurance company with whom the previous UDF government entered into a contract for the implementation of the scheme had been asked to refund the premium totalling Rs three crore.

He said the scheme benefitting the poor would be implemented as per the guidelines of the Centre.

Replying to another submission by Mr K K Shaju, Agriculture Minister Mullakkara Ratnakaran said the Centre had cleared a Rs 1,924 crore scheme for coconut development removing root-wilt disease affected palms in 357 panchayats spread over five districts in the state.

Revenue Minister K P Rajendran told Mr K Babu that land acquisition for the 'Smart City' project in Kochi would be speeded up by settling the disputes on land prices amicably. Evicted families would be properly rehabilitated, he added.

Health Minister P K Sreemathi told the House that no decision had been taken to restrict assistance from the society for medical assistance to the poor to people below 50 years of age.

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