Bhubaneswar: The much-awaited Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme is likely to be launched in Odisha on April 11 by Union Health Minister J P Nadda.
As per sources, Nadda, who is also the national president of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is likely to arrive in Bhubaneswar on April 11 and launch the scheme, which will benefit over 3.5 crore people in the state.
During his visit, the BJP chief is also likely to interact with state party leaders during his visit and discuss strategies to further strengthen the organisation.
However, it is not yet clear whether new state BJP president’s name will also be announced during the upcoming visit of Nadda to Odisha.
Notably, state BJP president Manmohan Samal is currently in New Delhi and he was seen along with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi at the Odisha Dibasa Samaroha celebrations at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Tuesday. The Chief Minister has since returned to the state after attending the event.
The Union Minister is also likely to address a large gathering of party members and supporters, outlining BJP’s vision and future roadmap for the state. His visit is being viewed as a crucial effort to energise the party functionaries at the grassroots.
Ahead of Nadda’s visit, there is growing speculation about the announcement of BJP’s Odisha unit president with observers predicting that it may be made after his tour. Party sources indicate that BJP is likely to name the new state unit chief after April 14. Before that, BJP is likely to announce the name of its new national President.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister while affirming the state government’s resolve to provide improved healthcare facilities to the people, had announced on Tuesday that Ayushman Bharat Yojana will be launched in the state within two weeks.
Speaking at the state-level Odisha Day celebration event held at Satyabhamapur in Cuttack district, the Chief Minister said that the scheme will bring about a transformation in the state’s healthcare system and immensely benefit the common people
The scheme will provide medical insurance coverage to over 3.52 crore people across Odisha, Majhi said, adding that eligible beneficiaries under the scheme will receive cashless treatment in hospitals, easing their financial burden in times of medical emergencies.
