JAMMU, Jun 10: Mission Statehood Jammu and Kashmir President Sunil Dimple on Wednesday strongly criticized the Central Government over the reported discontinuation of the Ayushman Gold Card scheme for poor patients, while welcoming the Jammu and Kashmir Government’s decision to provide insurance coverage to various categories of workers.
Addressing the media, Dimple alleged that private hospitals and clinics have been informed not to accept Ayushman Gold Cards from July 1, a move which, he said, would adversely affect economically weaker families and patients suffering from serious ailments, including heart disease, cancer, kidney disorders, neurological problems, eye diseases, orthopedic issues, dialysis-related illnesses and other medical conditions.
Questioning the Centre’s decision, Dimple said the government should explain why welfare schemes meant for poor and needy patients are being curtailed. He alleged that the move would create hardships for thousands of beneficiaries who depend on the scheme for affordable healthcare.
The Mission Statehood leader also criticized the Centre over rising prices and welfare benefits. He alleged that subsidies and support measures provided earlier to economically weaker sections have been reduced, while the cost of essential commodities, including domestic and commercial LPG cylinders, has increased.
At the same time, Dimple welcomed the Jammu and Kashmir Government’s decision to provide insurance benefits of up to Rs 5 lakh to daily wagers, temporary employees, daily-rated workers and consolidated workers. He described the move as a positive step towards ensuring social security for vulnerable sections of the workforce.
However, he demanded that the insurance premium should not be deducted from the wages of beneficiaries, stating that many such workers are already receiving meagre salaries and are struggling financially.
Dimple further urged the government to extend the insurance coverage to other categories of workers, including Rehbar-e-Khel employees, National Youth Corps members, SPOs, Seasonal Teachers, Vocational Trainers, Cluster Resource Coordinators, Sakshar Bharat Mission workers, Anganwadi workers, ASHA workers, AAYAs, land donors, contingent workers, multi-tasking staff and Mission Yuva Motivators.
He also reiterated his demand for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, alleging that people continue to face numerous challenges and governance-related issues in the Union Territory.