Good news for journalists! Scribes to get health insurance from April 1

New Delhi, Feb 18: There is a good news for journalists as West Bengal Chief Minister has announced something which will cheer up the scribes.

The West Bengal cabinet on Wednesday passed a proposal to launch a health insurance scheme for state government-accredited journalists, including those who have retired.

The journalists accredited with the West Bengal government will come under the ambit of comprehensive family health insurance and accident insurance schemes from the beginning of next month.

Announcing the extension of this benefit to such journalists in the state, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that the decision was approved in the state cabinet today for the benefit of all accredited journalists in West Bengal.

Facilities under "West Bengal Health Scheme for Journalists-2016" would be extended to such journalists upto 65 years of age. Under the scheme, medical treatment would be available at all government or government-enlisted private hospitals and diagnostic centres in the state, she said.

The entire scheme would be monitored by the state's Information and Cultural Affairs Department.

The journalists can avail of the scheme -- christened "Mabhoi" -- till the age of 65, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced after the cabinet meeting.

The scheme would be extended to all family members of the insured journalists who can take admission in state government hospitals and health centres, and hospitals accredited under the West Bengal Health Scheme.

The cabinet also approved a health insurance scheme called Swasthya Sathi for civic police volunteers, green police volunteers, civil defence volunteers, disaster management workers, ASHA social health workers, self-help groups, national volunteers, Home Guards, ICDS workers, and contractual and casual workers.

The total number of beneficiaries for Swasthya Sathi would be about 80 lakh.

This group insurance scheme, costing the government Rs.1,000 crore, would provide a coverage of Rs.1.5 lakh to Rs.5 lakh, without any cap on family size. The full premium would be paid by the state government.

OneIndia News

(With inputs from agencies)