Odisha CM Distributes BSKY Health Cards In Bargarh; Cops Pick Up BJP Protestors

Bargarh: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik reached Bijepur in Bargarh district on Saturday amid protests from the Opposition in connection with the Mamita murder case.

The Chief Minister kicked off the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) distribution in the district by handing over the smart health cards to some beneficiaries at an event.

Naveen also laid foundation stones of various projects worth Rs 300 crore in the district and inaugurated 71 reconstructed schools.

The state government will be providing smart health cards to 3.5 crore people under BSKY. The smart health card will be provided to 3.5 crore people of 96 lakh families. Each family can avail treatment cost up to Rs 5 lakh per annum. Women members can avail this benefit up to Rs 10 lakh every year.

Earlier in the day, Congress workers were beaten up by BJD activists ahead of the Chief Ministe’s visit. Some Congress workers were staging a protest holding black flags at Alibali Chhak in Bijepur over Mamita Meher murder case. They were raising slogans against the state government and demanding ouster of minister Dibya Shankar Mishra for his alleged connection with prime accused in the case Govind Sahu.

The police had arrested BJP Yuva Morcha president Irasis Acharya and other workers ahead of the Chief Minister’s visit. Acharya was picked up from his house in Bhatli while others including party Krushak Morcha president Srikant Mishra were picked up by police last night apprehending protests during the Chief Minister’s visit.

Other than the dismissal of Minister of State (Home) Dibya Shankar Mishra for his alleged involvement in the lady teacher Mamita Meher murder case, the Bargarh district-unit of BJP has been demanding action against police over Gobind Kumbhar’s custodial death and drought-hit tag for Padampur sub-division.