Coop minister wants urbanites to enrol under Yashaswini

Cooperation Minister H S Mahadev Prasad on Wednesday appealed to the people residing in the urban areas to make judicious use of Yashaswini Health Insurance Scheme.

Addressing the gathering after launching the programme to extend the scheme to the city, at Sarada Vilas College Centenary Hall here, Prasad said the scheme that was earlier restricted to the members of cooperative societies in rural areas, from the current fiscal, would be extended to members of cooperative societies at urban centres.

Under the scheme, people residing in cities, irrespective of age group, who are the members of afore mentioned societies can avail the facility by registering their names by paying the fee according to the prescribed categories.

Members of general category shall pay Rs 710, and SC, STs Rs 510. A total of 543 network hospitals, including 21 in Mysore have been identified under the scheme.

In case of any ailments, members can avail treatment for 805 different health complaints including heart, eyes, and neurology.

The government will bear the cost of surgeries up to Rs two lakh. July 15 is the last date to enrol under the scheme.

To enable more number of people to opt for the scheme, the premium amount has been slashed to Rs 710 from the earlier Rs 1,010.

However, the reduced premium will cost the exchequer Rs 50 crore to Rs 60 crore.


The government aimed to increase the number of cooperatives (members) at urban centers from the existing 75 lakh to 95 lakh this year, Prasad added.

He said that plans were afoot to bring in reforms in the sector, and that an expert committee had been constituted for the purpose.

Changes will be incorporated after receiving the report.

To empower women self-help groups and specially-abled, it has been decided to launch programmes like Priyadarshini and Asha Kirana, respectively.

In addition to Rs 7,555 crore of crop loan (short-term) advanced to the farmers, it is intended to disburse Rs 10,000 crore. Officials have been already ordered to consider 25 per cent of new members, while extending interest free loan up to Rs three lakh to farmers.

DH News Service