AGARTALA, March 5 (TIWN): A total of around 12 government registered medicine store under RSBY scheme at GB Bazaar area has called for strike from Saturday for undefined period of time after government has not cleared the bill the pending bills of medicines so far.

The owners of the shops alleged that the government has not clear the pending bills under RSBY scheme resulting the about 12 shop has called for strike and has stopped distribution of medicine under RSBY smart card to the common people from Saturday.

Allegedly as the government did not clear the pending bills the chemist has called for strike for undefined period.  

Beneficiaries under RSBY are entitled to hospitalization coverage up to Rs. 30,000/- for most of the diseases that require hospitalization. Government has even fixed the package rates for the hospitals for a large number of interventions. Pre-existing conditions are covered from day one and there is no age limit. Coverage extends to five members of the family which includes the head of household, spouse and up to three dependents. Beneficiaries need to pay only Rs. 30/- as registration fee while Central and State Government pays the premium to the insurer selected by the State Government on the basis of a competitive bidding. RSBY Scheme covers 725 surgical process & non surgical unspecified diseases also covered in the scheme.

Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) is a government- run health insurance scheme for the BPL family. It provides cashless insurance for hospitalisation in public as well as selected private hospitals. RSBY became fully operational on April 1, 2008 and is active in 25 states of India.

Initially the RSBY project was under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, but from April 1, 2015 it was transferred to Ministry of Health and family welfare.

It was launched with the aim to recognise the diversity with regard to public health infrastructure, their socio -economic conditions and the administrative network. The health insurance scheme aims to facilitate launching of health insurance projects in all the districts of the States in a phased manner for BPL workers.

This scheme is run in collaboration of both Centre & State government. Central government contributes 75% of the estimated annual premium i.e. Rs. 565 of total premium amount of Rs. 750 per family per annum and 25% by state government.

However, the decision has sparked of worries among the patients registered under RSBY smart card system.