The Uttar Pradesh government is considering a proposal to extend free cashless medical treatment to more than 2 crore people associated with rural development programmes, including self-help group (SHG) workers, MGNREGA workers and rojgar sevaks.
The proposal, prepared by the Rural Development Department, is expected to be placed before the state Cabinet for approval soon, according to officials.
Several Rural Workforce Categories Proposed
The proposed health coverage may include SHG ‘Didis’, MGNREGA workers, rojgar sevaks, block resource persons (BRPs) involved in social audits and women ‘mates’ engaged in MGNREGA works.
The move follows a recent meeting chaired by Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, where officials were directed to prepare a proposal for extending cashless healthcare benefits to these categories.
Separate Eligibility Under Proposed Scheme
Officials said many people in these groups may already be eligible for healthcare benefits under existing government schemes, including Ayushman Yojana, depending on their income and other eligibility criteria.
Under the proposed arrangement, however, beneficiaries would receive the cashless healthcare benefit specifically because of their association with the respective rural development programme or category.
If approved by the Cabinet, the initiative would expand the state’s health and social security coverage for a large section of its rural workforce.
