CUTTACK: The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) will be implemented in Odisha within the next two weeks, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said on Tuesday.
Addressing the state-level Odisha Divas function held for the first time at Utkal Gourab Madhusudan Das’ birthplace in Satyabhamapur, Majhi said the scheme will transform the healthcare scenario by ensuing access to best of treatment and services for all sections, particularly the poor.
More than 3.52 crore people of the state will be able to get free treatment under the scheme across 29,000 hospitals in the country, he said.
“Earlier, only 900 hospitals were empanelled under BSKY by the previous BJD government. The Ayushman Vayo-Vandana Yojana will also be implemented soon, after which elderly people above the age of 70 years will be able to avail free healthcare services,” the chief minister said.
Paying rich tributes to Madhu Babu on the occasion, Majhi said Satyabhamapur is a pilgrimage site for every Odia. This holy land is the birthplace of Madhu babu whose works continue to inspire Odias. His poems ‘Uthare Uhare Utkal Santana’, ‘Uthibu Tu Kete Dine’, ‘Puruba Gaurav Puruba Sahas’, ‘Padiba Ki Kene Mane’, had motivated millions of Odias who got united by the call for a separate language-based state, and Odisha was formed 89 years ago, the chief minister said.
“Today marks the 90th year of formation of a separate Odisha but unfortunately, even after 77 years of Indian Independence, the state has not been able to fully utilise its potential and achieve significant success towards the upliftment of people of the state,” Majhi said.
He, however, expressed confidence in the BJP government’s efforts towards fulfilling the dreams of the 4.5 crore people of Odisha. “An era of immense possibilities has been created for Odisha on the basis of identity, ambition and tireless efforts. The process of extensive progress in all fields including industry, education, health and infrastructure has begun,” he asserted.
While highest `32,000 crore i.e. 18 per cent of the budget has been allocated for education sector for successful implementation of NEP-2020, the state government has also decided to formulate a new road policy and form the Odisha Highways Authority to make the state highways world-class. The target is to build 75,000 km of roads in the next five years, Majhi said.
Steps are being taken to set up Odia Asmita Bhawan, Odia Translation Academy, Palm Leaf Manuscript Museum and Paika Bidroha Smaraki etc., besides giving national status to festivals like Bali Jatra and Dhanu Jatra, he added.
On the day, the chief minister also inaugurated a photo exhibition on the life of Madhu Babu and laid foundation stone for integrated development of Madhu Babu’s birthplace which will be developed as a centre of Odia nationalism.
“While a detailed project report has already been prepared, a sum of `21 crore has been sanctioned for the purpose,” Majhi said.
Law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan, who was also present at the event, said, honouring the great men who sacrificed their lives for the nation is the first priority of the BJP government. Higher Education minister Suryabanshi Suraj said the programme was organised at Madhu Babu’s birthplace to celebrate the love for Odia culture and language.