Telangana to roll out new health scheme for employees, pensioners in 15 days

The Telangana government has decided to launch the long-awaited new health scheme for state government employees, teachers and pensioners within the next 15 days . The decision was taken at a key meeting chaired by Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao at the State Secretariat. The scheme will be formally launched in the presence of the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister.

According to the decisions taken at the meeting, employees will contribute 1.5 per cent of their basic pay , while the government will make a matching 1.5 per cent contribution . Around 1.44 lakh employees and pensioners and 12.84 lakh dependent family members across the state are expected to benefit. Approximately ₹528 crore annually will be mobilised from employees’ contributions, with the government providing an equal amount, giving the scheme a strong financial base.

A trust will be constituted to manage the scheme, comprising six representatives from employees’ unions and two from pensioners’ associations . A state government employee will be appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the trust. Guidelines for the scheme will be finalised shortly.

The Chief Secretary said providing quality medical services to employees and their families is a priority for the government, describing the initiative as a significant step in employee welfare. The meeting was attended by Special Chief Secretaries C.V. Anand and Mahesh Datt Ekka, Finance Secretary Sandeep Sultania, Health Secretary Christina J. Chongthu, and leaders of various employee and teachers’ associations.

Employee unions termed the scheme a “revolutionary step” , expressing hope that cashless treatment would be delivered more effectively.