Odisha To Implement ‘Ayushman Bharat’ Alongside ‘Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana’ Soon: Mukesh Mahaling

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Odisha To Implement ‘Ayushman Bharat’ Alongside ‘Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana...

by Hemanta Pande

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

The Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) will be implemented in Odisha alongside the State's own health scheme Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY) soon, informed State’s Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling on Tuesday.

Bhubaneswar: The Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) will be implemented in Odisha alongside the State's own health scheme Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY) soon, informed State’s Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling on Tuesday.

Speaking to the media persons, Minister Mahaling said, “The Ayushman Bharat Yojana will be implemented in Odisha very soon. More than 3 crore people from 1 crore family will be issued a new and distinct card under the scheme once the Ayushman Bharat and Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana are rolled out in the State. The beneficiaries can use their cards at any of the 27,000 empanelled hospitals from across the country and can avail cashless treatment.

“The migrant workers, who were earlier facing problems for treatment, will now be able to visit any of the empanelled hospitals and get medical treatment freely,” he added saying people aged 70 or above will also be eligible to apply for the scheme.

While 67 lakh eligible families of the State will be covered in Ayushman Bharat, 33 lakh families will be included in the Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana, the Minister said.

Under these health schemes, a medical coverage of Rs 10 lakh and Rs 5 lakh will be provided to each female and male beneficiary respectively, he added.

Notably, the previous Biju Janata Dal government in Odisha had refused to participate in Ayushman Bharat, asserting that its own health initiative, the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY), now renamed as Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana, was superior.

Launched in September 2018, AB PM-JAY is designed to offer comprehensive health coverage to individuals from economically vulnerable families, ensuring that they receive necessary medical care without incurring catastrophic financial burdens.

The AB PM-JAY scheme covers a wide range of medical procedures across various specialties, including surgery, oncology, and cardiology, and provides cashless treatment in empanelled hospitals.

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Odisha: POCSO Court In Sambalpur Awards Death Sentence To Man For Murder-Rape Of Minor Girl

by Hemanta Pande

Sambalpur, Oct 1: A POCSO court in Odisha's Sambalpur on Tuesday awarded death sentence to a person for killing a minor girl after committing rape in 2022. The convict has also been asked to deposit fine of Rs 1 lakh.

The 34-year-old convict was identified as Prasant Baghar of Jamankera.

"The 11-year-old victim girl had gone to a field near her residence to answer the call of nature in the morning on March 25, 2022. Meanwhile, the convict also reached there and forcefully raped the minor," said public prosecutor Santosh Panda.

Panda further stated that convict Baghar later decapitated her with a sharp weapon and went to the village with her severed head.

The villagers spotted the convict washing the severed head of the girl at the village tube well and informed the police about the ghastly incident.

Upon being informed, the Jamankira police reached the spot immediately and nabbed the accused.

"Based on a complaint lodged by the victim girl's father, police arrested the accused and seized the severed head and weapon," Panda added.

Sources also claimed that the families of the convict and the victim were at loggerheads over some property related-dispute as well.

The court on the basis of the statements of 25 witnesses and other exhibits pronounced the judgement on Tuesday.

The court has also directed the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Sambalpur to Rs 3 lakh to the deceased minor's next of kin.

The minor victim's family had earlier received financial compensation of Rs 3 lakh too. (IANS)

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East Coast Railway Launches ‘Swachhata Pakhwada’ With Massive Cleanliness Drive

by Hemanta Pande

Bhubaneswar, Oct 1: East Coast Railway (ECoR) has launched a fortnight-long Swachhata Pakhwada, running from 1st to 15th October 2024, with a focus on ensuring cleanliness across Railway Stations, trains, offices, workshops, maintenance depots, hospitals, and residential areas under its jurisdiction, officials said on Tuesday.

This massive cleanliness drive is being carried out to create awareness and inspire collective action towards maintaining a clean and green India.

On the inaugural day of Swachhata Pakhwada, Parmeshwar Funkwal, General Manager, East Coast Railway, administered the Swachhata pledge to all staff and officers. The pledge emphasized the importance of personal responsibility in maintaining cleanliness, with employees committing to keep their premises clean and motivate the general public to do the same.

Earlier, from 14th September to 1st October 2024, ECoR celebrated Swachhata Hi Seva under the theme of "Swabhav Swachhata – Sanskaar Swachhata." The celebrations will culminated on 2nd October 2024, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, with Swachh Bharat Diwas events across the East Coast Railway network.

As part of Swachhata Pakhwada, ECoR has planned a series of large-scale cleanliness activities, focusing on engaging Railway employees, passengers, and stakeholders in sustained cleanliness efforts. These activities include:

Cleanliness Drives: Special drives at Railway stations, onboard trains, in offices, workshops, and residential areas.

• Competitions: Painting and drawing competitions themed around cleanliness to raise awareness.

• Anti-littering Campaigns: Awareness campaigns about the hazards of littering at stations and on trains.

• On-board Cleanliness: Focus on maintaining cleanliness within trains, especially in coaches, toilet blocks, and pantry cars.

• Clean Water Installations: Checks on cleanliness at water supply installations, drinking water taps, and water quality across stations.

• Feedback from Passengers: Soliciting passenger feedback on the quality of food served and the cleanliness of the premises and amenities.

The Swachhata pledge taken by ECoR employees includes a commitment to devote 100 hours annually towards cleanliness activities and to encourage at least 100 other individuals to do the same. This initiative echoes Mahatma Gandhi's vision for a clean India and underscores the need for collective action to maintain hygiene in both personal and public spaces.

East Coast Railway remains committed to its mission of achieving cleanliness across all its Divisions, aiming to inspire widespread community involvement. With the support of passengers, railway users, and the general public, ECoR is leading the charge towards a cleaner and healthier environment.

Odisha To Implement ‘Ayushman Bharat’ Alongside ‘Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana’ Soon: Mukesh Mahaling

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