BJD, BJP exchange barbs over implementation of their flagship health schemes
The Hindu
BJD and BJP clash over health schemes in Odisha, with BSKY and Ayushman Bharat at the center.
Amidst the escalating election fervour, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have exchanged barbs, alleging that their respective flagship health schemes have fallen short of expectations.
The BJD accused BJP of sabotaging Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojna (BSKY), the State-sponsored universal health coverage scheme.
“The BSKY health cards guarantee free treatment in any government hospital with no limit and ₹10 lakhs for women and ₹5 lakhs for men in private hospitals each year. For BSKY, there are 652 hospitals empanelled within Odisha and 164 premier hospitals empanelled across 16 States, and this number is growing,” said Sasmit Patra, BJD’s national spokesperson.
Also Read | BJP, BJD to go solo in Odisha as talks fail
Mr. Patra said more than 36 lakh patients had been treated in Odisha in the last year alone. “Due to BSKY, more than ₹3,000 crore of the needy people of Odisha could be saved in one year which they can now use for their socio-economic development.
In the last year about 1.5 lakh people were treated outside Odisha through BSKY and ₹385 crore could be saved through this, he said.
The BJD leader alleged Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and other BJP leaders were plotting to halt the BSKY programme. “If Mr. Pradhan believes BSKY is flawed, let the BJP pledge in their party manifesto to stop the BSKY health card,” he challenged.
The publishing houses have attributed this phenomenon to the books being adapted into a two-part movie, besides the decline in readers’ attention span
Delhi court grants AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan protection from arrest till February 24 for attacking police team.
Rash and triple-riding proved fatal for three persons after their two-wheeler hit the rear side of a parked truck near Thuthipet on Sedarapet-Pathukannu road on Wednesday (February 12, 2025) night.
A Mathematics teacher of a government higher secondary school in Dharmapuri has been arrested under the POCSO Act on charges of sexually harassing girls in the classroom.
Akkarai Sisters will perform in Bengaluru this weekend as part of the second edition of the Nada Sambhrama concert series
When asked about BJP leaders claiming to form the government in Bihar after Delhi, Mr. Prasad further said, ‘How will they form the government? BJP cannot form the government in Bihar as long as we (RJD) are here. People have understood BJP and you people as well.’
The Madras High Court has issued a slew of directions to the trial courts for the speedy disposal of cheque bounce cases after finding that cases under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments (NI) Act of 1881 had been pending for years.
Transport Minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar addresses pedestrian safety, reckless drivers, and traffic congestion issues in the State.
Director of Mid-Day-Meal programme in Andhra Pradesh urges district Collectors to consult Veterinary Department on bird flu impact.
Outgoing Delhi chief minister Atishi on February 13, 2025, said within three days of AAP loosing its hold in the National Capital, the city has been facing power cuts.
Enforcement Directorate freezes ₹170 crore in bank deposits linked to fraudulent forex trading scheme, seizing cash and investigating multiple companies.
As many as 19 workers of a private company were injured after the bus they were travelling in rammed a stationary lorry at Kanjikovil Junction on the Salem-Coimbatore National Highway on Thursday (February 13, 2025).
Minister Nara Lokesh emphasizes hard work, congratulates JEE topper Sai Manogna, discusses curriculum reforms and job readiness initiatives.