* 'Ayushman CAPF' scheme launched
STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said his Ministry is initiating several reforms to ensure that the jawans of the security and armed forces could dedicate themselves in the service of the nation without worrying for the well-being of their families.
Launching the 'Ayushman CAPF' scheme at the CRPF Group Centre at Nine Mile here on Saturday evening, Shah said that soon after taking over the charge as Union Home Minister, he held close interaction with the jawans of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). He added that his interaction brought out many unheard grievances and pains among the CAPF jawans.
"The CAPF jawans expressed three main grievances. First, it was the lack of a comprehensive Healthcare scheme for the jawans and their families. Second, it was the improper and unsuitable accommodation facilities for their families. Third, it was the shortage of quality time that the jawans could spend with their families. I decided that all these three grievances must be addressed. It is the responsibility of the government to take care of the jawans who risk their lives in saving our borders and also inside the country," said Shah.
The Home Minister added that he is extremely happy to announce that the 'Ayushman CAPF' scheme is the first step towards addressing the grievances of the jawans. Under the scheme, the CAPF jawans and their families will be able to avail cashless Healthcare facilities worth Rs 5 lakh in the country's leading public and private hospitals. He also pointed out that the 'Ayushman CAPF' scheme is an extension of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Ayushman Bharat' — the world's largest Health insurance scheme.
Shah further said that there could not have been a better day to launch the 'Ayushman CAPF' scheme than Friday (January 23) which coincided with the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. He added that the birth anniversary of Netaji would be celebrated as the 'Parakram Diwas' every year. He also said that the 'Ayushman CAPF' scheme would cover all the jawans and their families in the entire country by May 1 this year.
The beneficiaries under the scheme will be the jawans of CRPF, BSF, SSB, ITBP, CISF, NSG and the Assam Rifles.
Shah said that the government is also creating suitable and adequate housing facilities for the CAPF jawans and their families. "We are also ensuring that every jawan spends 100 days in a year with their families to ensure their emotional well-being. The Centre is recruiting more and more youths in the security forces so that all jawans can avail 100 days leave in a year," he pointed out.
The Union Home Minister also congratulated the people of India for successfully fighting the battle against COVID in 2020. "The human race had never faced the challenges that they faced in 2020. India has emerged winner in the COVID battle due to the people's participation. Now it is time for vaccination; and I urge each Frontline warrior like the CAPF jawans to get themselves vaccinated without any fear and hesitation," he said.
Making an oblique reference to the Opposition's campaign against the COVID-vaccination drive, Shah urged everyone not to politicize the vaccination issue for the greater interest of human lives.
Earlier in the function while giving the welcome address, CRPF DG Dr A.P. Maheshwari expressed his deep gratitude to Amit Shah and the Centre for launching the scheme like the 'Ayushman CAPF'.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said that it is matter of pride that the Central Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is launching various welfare schemes for the CAPF jawans.
Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma thanked Amit Shah for extending the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Ayushman Bharat' as the 'Ayushman CAPF' scheme.
Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya YojanaDr. Indu Bhushan were among other dignitaries at the Saturday's function at the CRPF Group Centre at Nine Mile here.
Shah also ceremonially distributed 'Health Cards' under the 'Ayushman CAPF' scheme to the jawans of CRPF, BSF, SSB, ITBP, CISF, NSG and the Assam Rifles.