Odisha govt increases health coverage for women under BSKY to Rs 10 lakh

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Governor Prof Ganeshi Lal on Tuesday said the state government has increased the annual health coverage for women under the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) from Rs 7 lakh to Rs 10 lakh.

“Our women will now get Rs 10 lakh for their treatment instead of Rs 7 lakh under Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana. Every widow and destitute women will be covered by my government under social security pension,” said the Governor.

The Governor addressed the first session of the 16^th Odisha Legislative Assembly marking the beginning of the budget session on Tuesday.

The BSKY beneficiaries will now get annual health coverage of Rs 5 lakh per family and Rs 10 lakh for the female members of the family.

The Governor said the government will lay emphasis on agriculture development and farmers’ welfare as a major strategy for bringing poverty below 5% over the next five years.

He said Puri will be made a world heritage city.

All places of tourism importance will be linked and way-side amenities will be provided on all major roads. District tourism councils will be formed in all the districts, he added.

“My government will provide education loans to students at 0% rate of interest. All technical institutes, colleges and universities will be enabled with free wi-fi services and IT labs will be set in high schools,” he informed.

He said the government will endeavour to create 30 lakh employment opportunities in six focus sectors and 75 percent of jobs will be reserved for qualified local youth in all upcoming industries in Odisha.

“My government proposes to bring out a new industrial policy in line with the perspective plan with emphasis on the creation of job opportunities. Best-in-class industrial parks will be established for each of the focus sectors,” said Lal.