This looks like a great step by the current CM. The idea is unique (atleast
among Indian states) in that it insures 97% of the population.
One thing though, the list of diseases covered doesn't seem to cover anumber of
diseases like liver disease, AIDS, mental health, or evenepidemics that creep
up from time to time.
The other concerns are whether the state machinery has been set-up todeal with
the bureaucracy that will come along with such a bigundertaking and more
importantly whether the 'voter's list' is uptodate and reliable.
Nevertheless, the CM needs to be lauded for taking atleast this first step.
_____________________________By a Staff ReporterGUWAHATI, July 25: In what he
terms as a landmark achievement, ChiefMinister Tarun Gogoi today launched the
Mukhya Mantrir Jibon JyotiBima Achoni (Chief Minister's Jibon Jyoti Insurance
Scheme), aninsurance scheme for the State's populace against health and
accidentrisks. It was on January 1 this year that the Chief Minister
hadannounced his intention of launching the scheme which he said would bean
exclusive as no other State in the country could boast of such aninsurance
coverage.
The scheme assumes significance as it has been announced at a timewhen the
Congress, which is already pushed to the backfoot by thepost-IM(DT) period
developments, is burning candles at both ends toretain the Dispur throne.
Announcing the scheme at a press meet here, Gogoi handed over a chequeof Rs 25
crore as one-time premium to the technical director of ICICILombard, the
company which was recommended for the deal by theGovernment panel that examined
and deciphered the ingenuity of thebids. Incidentally, ICICI Lombard had
tendered the lowest bid amongthe five companies that offered to take up the
scheme.
The MoU between the State Government and the company was signed onJuly 21 which
has envisaged the commencement of this scheme fromtoday. However, the insurance
of healthcare would come into effectfrom August 25, 2005.
As per the 'unique' insurance scheme, hammered out by the StatePlanning and
Development Department, every citizen of Assam whose namefigures in the voter's
list, and their dependants, excluding the Stateand Central Government employees
and those residents whose annualfamily income before tax is Rs 2 Lakh or above,
will be covered foraccidental death and healthcare. The sum assured for each
person is Rs50,000 in case of accidental death and Rs 25,000 for healthcare.
Claims arising out of and/due to acts of terrorism and death or injurysustained
due to usage of prohibited or unconventional drugs,consumption of alcohol and
banned substances are, however, excludedfrom the scheme.
"The State and Central Government employees are not covered becausethey are
already insured. So leaving out these 15 lakh people, wethink 95-97 per cent of
the total population of Assam are insured fromtoday," Gogoi said.
State Planning and Development Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma informedthat there
would be no third party administration and that theDistrict Administration,
along with the local revenue officials at thePanchayat level, will help the
villagers to make claims and do thesettlement within 60 days.
The Benefit Table:
(i) Death 100%of SI
Rs.50,000/-(ii) Permanent Loss of
50% of SI Rs.25,000/- 2 Hands or 2 Feet or 2 eyes(iii)
Permanent Loss of 1 Hand and 1 Foot 50% of SI
Rs.25,000/-(iv) Permanent Loss of 1 Hand or 1 Foot 50% of SI
Rs.25,000/-(v) Permanent Loss of 4 Fingers of either 25% of SI
Rs.12,500/- 1 hand or 1 foot or of both.(vi) Medical expenses
towards major bone 2% of SI Rs. 1,000/- Fracture.
The diseases covered under the policy:
a) Alzheimer's disease.b) Open heart surgeryc) Cancerd) Heart Attacke)
End Stage Renal failuref) Strokeg) Paralysish) Heart Valve replacement
surgeryi) Major Burnsj) Coma— caused due to an accidentk) Parkinson's
disease.l) Multiple sclerosism) Deafnessn) Loss of Limbso) Major Organ
Transplants.
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