75th Independence Day celebrated across Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The 75th Independence Day was celebrated across Odisha with patriotic fervour on Sunday.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik hoisted the national flag at Exhibition Ground here and paid tributes to Covid warriors in his address to the state.

He also paid tribute to freedom fighters who have sacrificed their lives in freedom movements.

Smart cards under Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana

The Chief Minister announced that the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana is going to be redesigned, in which 3.5 crore people of 96 lakh families will get Smart Health Cards.

He said Odisha is the first state in the country to provide such Smart Health Cards.

“People should get hassle free quality treatment at best available health care facilities. So Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana redesigned to provide Smart Health Cards to people that will work as debit cards for a certain amount,” said the Chief Minister.

Beneficiaries of NFS/SFS schemes, Annapurna and Antodaya beneficiaries will get this card.

Each family can avail treatment cost up to Rs 5 lakh per annum. Women members can avail this benefit up to Rs 10 lakh every year.

The beneficiaries can avail health services in more than 200 hospital chains of the country including Odisha.