Bengal CM launches Beti Bachao scheme, doubles Kanyashree payment
Kolkata, Aug 14
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
Reader Comments
Finally, someone is thinking about the poor! The CM's Health Insurance Scheme covering those not eligible for Ayushman Bharat is a relief. My uncle had to sell his land last year for a heart surgery. This would have saved him. 😔
Interesting to see the new government building on existing schemes rather than scrapping them. The Kanyashree scheme was quite successful in improving girl child education rates in Bengal. Doubling the payment is a smart political move too.
Bekar hai! Just election gimmick. They are trying to take credit for schemes that Mamata Banerjee started. Why didn't they double the payment before the election? Now they're playing with people's emotions. 🤨
As a Bengali woman, I'm happy to see this continuity. Kanyashree was a lifeline for many girls in rural areas. Doubling it to Rs 2,000 and the health insurance scheme shows they're listening to the people. But we need to see the actual execution, not just announcements.
The state's health infrastructure has been improving, and having 3.4 crore people covered under Ayushman Bharat is impressive. But the real test will be the hospital network and whether they actually provide quality treatment. Let's hope the cards are just the first step.
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