The Punjab Cabinet on Wednesday gave the nod for the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana by extending the Central scheme to cover over 42 lakh families in the State.
Financial modalities
“The Cabinet has decided to set up a committee under the Chief Secretary to work out the financial modalities for the implementation of the scheme at an estimated cost of over ₹ 300 crore,” said an official statement.
The statement said that while the PMJAY had proposed to cover 14.96 lakh SECC (Socio Economic and Caste Census) families in the State, the Punjab government has decided to extend the scheme to provide ₹5 lakh insurance cover to 42 lakh of the total 61 lakh families. “These include families of farmers, construction workers and small traders, as well as the other poor families (currently covered under the Bhagat Puran Singh Sehat Bima Yojana),” it added.
The Cabinet also gave the go-ahead for the regularisation of the services of 8,886 teachers recruited under the Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), as well “Adarsh” and model schools.
Job scheme
Approval to set up the Punjab ‘Ghar Ghar Rozgar and Karobar Mission’ was also given by the Cabinet. “The Mission will be registered as a society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860,” said the statement, adding that the move is aimed at facilitating every job-seeker in securing wage or self-employment in Punjab, India or abroad.
New sports policy
The Cabinet also gave in-principle approval to the new sports policy, authorising the Chief Minister to decide on the matter of issuing separate guidelines for recruitment under the sports quota.
“It was decided to enhance the existing cash award amount to sportspersons in recognition of their outstanding performance at various national and international tournaments/championships,” said the statement.
A policy for regularisation of unauthorised colonies developed before March 19 this year was also approved.