Odisha Govt To Probe ‘Corruption’ In BSKY During BJD Regime: Minister

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government would conduct investigation into allegations of irregularities in the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) launched by the previous BJD government in the state.

Sharing this information, Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan told reporters that many people were denied benefits of the health insurance scheme despite the availability of BSKY cards, while several patients were exploited.

Alleging that corruption was rampant as the hospitals were charging bills in an arbitrary manner, he claimed that several people associated with the previous government were involved in irregularities.

Therefore, a thorough investigation would be conducted into all irregularities in the implementation of BSKY in the state, Harichandan said.

The minister’s statement came a day after the state government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to join the Central government’s Ayushman Bharat Yojana.

Notably, the state government has integrated its own scheme, Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana, with Ayushman Bharat. More than 1.03 crore families in Odisha will benefit under the scheme.

Under the new system, each eligible beneficiary will receive a single bilingual health card, integrating the benefits of both schemes.

It will provide healthcare coverage of Rs 5 lakh per family per annum with an additional Rs 5 lakh cover for women members.