PM reviews preparations for 'Modicare'
New Delhi, May 7: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday reviewed the progress of preparations for the launch of ambitious National Health Protection Scheme (NHPS), popularly known as "Modicare", according to an official.
"The Prime Minister was apprised of the preparation done so far, including consultations with states, for a smooth and expeditious rollout of the health assurance programme under 'Ayushman Bharat' initiative," said the statement from Prime Minister's Office (PMO).
The scheme will provide a cover of up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year and is targeted to cover over 10 crore poor and vulnerable families.
Informed sources said the government was likely to ready the scheme before August 15, 2018 and launch it on the Independence Day.
Modi stressed on providing maximum benefit to the poor and marginalised sections of society under the scheme, the statement said.
Senior officials of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, NITI Aayog and PMO, briefed the Prime Minister on various aspects of the scheme.
Last month, on the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti, the Prime Minister had inaugurated the first Health and Wellness Centre under Ayushman Bharat at Bijapur in Chhattisgarh.
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Two held for trying to 'bribe' Odisha Cong MLAs ahead of RS polls: Party sources
Bengaluru (PTI): Two people were arrested for allegedly attempting to bribe Odisha Congress MLAs, who are staying in a resort near here, party sources claimed on Sunday.
Eight MLAs, along with some other Odisha Congress unit office bearers are camping in a resort.
They have been flown to Bengaluru with apprehensions of horse trading during the Rajya Sabha elections in favour of ruling BJP's Rajya Sabha candidate.
According to the Congress sources, two persons were apprehended at a private resort for attempting to buy over Orissa Congress MLAs.
"Two people have been arrested. One of the accused has been named as Suresh. Hunt is on for the third accused, who is a defeated Lok Sabha candidate," a source told PTI.
Blank cheques were also found in their possession, they claimed. They shared the photograph and blank cheques as well.
"They tried to negotiate with the Congress MLAs by offering a blank cheque. Both have been caught and handed over to the Bidadi police," the source said.
Police sources said that they have been arrested.
According to Congress sources, the Rajya Sabha elections in Odisha will take place on Monday. The BJP has fielded one more candidate, which raised apprehensions of horse-trading.
Congress and the Biju Janata Dal have fielded a candidate.
