Health insurance for poor set to cover beedi, non-coal mine workers

NEW DELHI: The government's health insurance scheme for the poor may be extended to workers of non-coal mines and beedi factories , benefiting over 50 lakh people engaged in these sectors. The finance ministry has discussed the feasibility of this move with the labour ministry, the nodal ministry running the scheme, and could announce it in the budget next week, a government official said.

" In fact, we would be very happy if it is done as these two occupations involve health hazards and workers would benefit extensively from the health cover," an official of the labour ministry said.

The health insurance scheme, called Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana, provides cashless medical treatment up to 30,000 every year to five members of all families below the poverty line. Smart cards are issued to facilitate treatment at empanelled government and private hospitals. Insurance premium varies between 300 and 600. The scheme was launched in 2008 and currently covers 2.18 crore families in 27 states and union territories.

In last year's budget, it was extended to people who work for more than 15 days under the government's Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Act. Construction workers and street vendors have subsequently been brought into its ambit.

" While it will not be difficult to include non-coal miners in the scheme instantly, the government may take more time in incorporating beedi workers," the labour ministry official added. Indian Railways and the postal department have also decided to be part of the health insurance scheme and provide for it from their own budgets.

Railways Minister Mamata Banerjee has extended the scheme to all railway coolies and has agreed to pay three-fourth of the premium amount. The postal department has agreed to pay half the premium amount for its postmen.

The scheme is also attracting international bodies. "The German embassy has decided to extend the scheme to casual workers including domestic helps, gardeners and sweepers employed by it and its staff and we have approved the request," Anil Swarup, director general, labour and welfare, said.