Bengal CM launches Beti Bachao scheme, doubles Kanyashree payment

Kolkata, Aug 14 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Friday announced the official launch of the “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” scheme in the state.

The Chief Minister said the scheme payment will be doubled to Rs 2,000 from Rs 1,000, which was earlier paid under the Kanyashree Prakalpa, the state’s own scheme introduced by the previous Mamata Banerjee‑led Trinamool Congress government.

On Friday, the Chief Minister also announced that those in West Bengal who will not be eligible for the Ayushman Bharat scheme will be covered under a separate Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme.

“Ayushman Diwas is going to be celebrated in the state on August 16, the day after Independence Day. Distribution of Ayushman Bharat scheme cards to beneficiaries will start from that day. Those not covered by Ayushman Bharat will receive equal benefits under the Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme,” Adhikari said.

He added that the new state government aims to ensure that no one dies due to lack of treatment because of financial constraints.

“Our government is committed to this,” he said.

State Health Minister Sharadwat Mukherjee said that under the Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme, each family will receive free treatment worth Rs 5 lakh a year, and no fee will be charged for the health insurance card.

“This benefit will be provided regardless of the size of the family,” he said.

He added that while 80 lakh families in West Bengal will be covered under the Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme, a total of 3.4 crore people will get Ayushman Bharat services from August 16.

–IANS

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