In country's first, CM launches health insurance scheme for state's advocates

Ranchi: In a first-of-its-kind in the country, chief minister Hemant Soren on Saturday launched the Mukhyamantri Adhivakta Swasthya Bima Yojna, a medical insurance scheme for advocates and their families which will provide up to Rs 5 lakh for general ailments and up to Rs 10 lakhs in cases of serious diseases. Advocates in the state have welcomed the move.

During a function held for the occasion at the Harivansh Tana Bhagat Indoor Stadium in Khelgaon, Hemant announced that his govt was taking steps to set up a top-grade law university in Jharkhand.

The scheme, which is effective from May 1 this year, would cover 14,937 advocates from across the state in the first phase even as the govt has promised to expand its scope in future.

The Jharkhand State Arogya Society (JSAS), which is the nodal agency for the scheme, would implement it in collaboration with TATA AIG. The list of empanelled hospitals in Jharkhand and other parts of the country in this regard is available on the JSAS and TATA AIG websites.

According to a state health official, the beneficiaries would not have to shell out a penny to avail of the insurance as the premium would be paid by the state govt.

The official added that the scheme would also cover the treatment of pre-existing ailments of beneficiaries during registration.

The official further said in case the beneficiaries get treatment in hospitals, which are not empanelled under the scheme, they could submit the expense receipts at JSAS and the amount would be reimbursed to their accounts.

Addressing the function, the CM said his govt is sensitive towards the issues of every section of society and the insurance scheme was a step to lessen some of the responsibilities of the advocates. He hoped that Jharkhand would also produce advocates of national fame in future.

Commenting on his detractors, the CM said, "Whenever our govt implements a project, the critics say it is meant for vote bank. I would say that I work for people and they support us naturally. We approach people based on our work and seek support. I express gratitude towards them for allowing my govt to serve the state again."

Health minister Irfan Asari said he would form a WhatsApp group which the advocates could join and inform him about difficulties in getting medical treatment under the scheme. Finance minister Radha Krishana Kishore reiterated that given the shortfall in the Centre's aid, the state was mobilizing its internal resources for various schemes.

Advocate general Rajiv Ranjan described the scheme as historic. Additional chief secretary (health) Ajay Singh reiterated that the scheme was the first of its kind in the country.

The CM also symbolically distributed the insurance cards to around a dozen advocates.

Ministers Sanjay Yadav and Sudivya Kumar Sonu, MP Mahua Majhi, Kanke MLA Suresh Baitha and office bearers and members of the Jharkhand State Bar Council and the bar associations were present at the function.