Bhubaneswar: As political activities have picked up momentum in Odisha due to the upcoming panchayat polls, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will start district visits from Malkangiri today.
Patnaik will launch the digital card of Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) during his visit to Malkangiri district on Friday.
Total 1,55823 smart health cards will be distributed in Malkangiri district, the minister said adding that each male person will be convered by health insurance of Rs 5 lakh and woman of Rs 10 lakh per annum under the scheme.
Reportedly, 381 centres have been opened in the district to distribute the cards among the beneficiaries. The centres will remain open from August 21 to 25.
It may be noted that during the National Flag hoisting ceremony on Independence Day here, the chief minister had announced the launch of the smart health card. The state government will provide Smart Health Cards to 3.5 crore beneficiaries under BSKY, he said.
Odisha is the first state in the country to have provided such facility in the health sector.
Besides, the BJD has also announced 27 per cent reservation of seats for candidates of OBCs in the panchayat polls.
The district observers of the BJD have started field visits and are holding organisational meetings at the grassroots level to reactivate the cadre. The focus of the party is on western Odisha where the main rival BJP has a strong base. Besides the observers, senior ministers have been assigned charge of some of the western Odisha districts.
Meanwhile, the BJP has stepped up its activities in view of the panchayat polls. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw arrived in Odisha yesterday to participate in Jana Ashirbad Yatra.
