Bhubaneswar, Sep 22: Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling today informed that 1.47 crore beneficiaries have so far received their Ayushman cards.
Speaking at the State Assembly today, the Minister said the Odisha government has made notable progress in implementing the Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), a flagship health scheme aimed at offering financial protection to economically vulnerable families.
Mahaling informed that out of the 3.46 crore eligible beneficiaries in Odisha, 1.47 crore have so far received their Ayushman cards.
The update came in response to a question raised by BJD MLA Goutam Budhha Das, who had sought information regarding the number of people who have been issued Ayushman cards and those who are yet to receive them. He also requested a district-wise breakdown of the data.
In his reply, Minister Mahaling provided further insights, revealing the government's expenditure on printing, branding, and distributing the Ayushman cards. According to the Minister, Rs 6.26 crore was spent from the central government grant for card printing and distribution, while an additional Rs 10.25 crore was allocated from the state government grant for card cover kits.
He also reassured the Assembly that beneficiaries who have not yet received their physical Ayushman cards are still able to access medical treatment using their ration cards or Aadhaar cards.
