Comprehensive medical insurance scheme on the anvil

Thiruvananthapuram: Finance Minister T. M. Thomas Isaac said in the Assembly on Monday that about a dozen medical benefit schemes including the Karunya Scheme would be integrated into a comprehensive insurance scheme.

Replying to the supplementary demands for grants for 2016-17, the Minister said that the insurance scheme would cover all persons eligible under Rashtriya Swasth Bima Yojana.

Dr. Isaac said that the Karunya Scheme was, however, being continued till the insurance scheme is in place. Cochlear Implant Scheme, started by the previous government, was also being continued.

He announced that the pension for dairy farmers would also be raised to Rs. 1000 a month. The farm pension would be brought under a board.

He said that missions for housing for all, sanitation, organic farming and modernisation of schools would take off on November 10. The Director Board of Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board was expected to give clearance for projects for about Rs. 4000 crores at its meeting scheduled for November 7.

After the Minister’s reply, the House passed the demands for grants for 70 votes to 40.