Top News

New Delhi: Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari’s announcement of a new state-backed health insurance scheme has been widely welcomed by residents, especially those who are not eligible for the Centre’s Ayushman Bharat programme.

Addressing a public meeting in Rejinagar, the Chief Minister announced that families excluded from Ayushman Bharat would be covered under the Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana. The scheme will provide cashless medical treatment of up to Rs 5 lakh per year, and beneficiaries will be able to avail themselves of treatment not only in West Bengal but also at empanelled hospitals across the country.

The announcement has sparked optimism among many residents. A Bankura resident said the scheme would benefit people who have been left out of Ayushman Bharat despite facing financial hardship.

“Many people are getting Ayushman cards based on ration card eligibility, while others with different categories of ration cards are being excluded even though they are poor. This new scheme will help such families,” the resident said.

Another local welcomed the nationwide validity of the health card, pointing out that the earlier state health scheme was largely limited to hospitals within West Bengal.

“The previous health scheme could not be used outside the state. If this new card works across India, it will solve a major problem. We only hope that the benefits reach those who genuinely deserve them,” the resident said.

Since the change in government, the state has rolled out several welfare initiatives, with Ayushman Bharat becoming one of the most discussed programmes. However, uncertainty over eligibility has left many residents concerned about whether they would qualify.

Following the Chief Minister’s announcement, many believe the new state insurance scheme will fill that gap and offer financial protection to families who require treatment at specialised hospitals outside West Bengal.

“We often need to travel to cities like Vellore, Mumbai or hospitals in southern India for advanced treatment, but the cost is beyond our means. If this insurance covers those expenses, it will be a huge relief for families like ours,” another resident said.