New Delhi, Aug 4 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday reviewed the progress of the launch of the Health Assurance scheme under Ayushman Bharat.

The scheme will provide health assurance cover of up to Rs 5 lakh per family and will cover over 10 crore poor and vulnerable families.

An official release said that top officials of Health Ministry, NITI Aayog and PMO briefed the Prime Minister on various aspects, including preparations in states and development of the technological infrastructure associated with the scheme.

Modi had inaugurated the first 'Health and Wellness Centre' under Ayushman Bharat, in the aspirational district of Bijapur in Chhattisgarh in April this year on Ambedkar Jayanti.



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Madikeri: Kodagu police have arrested five men in connection with the murder of coffee estate owner Pradeep Koili, whose body was found at his residence in Kongana village on April 23. Among those arrested is NS Anil, a short film director and actor, who has been identified as the main accused in the case.

Pradeep Koili, a native of Kannur in Kerala, was living alone at his plantation located under the B Shettigeri Gram Panchayat limits. He was found dead at his home last week, allegedly strangled using a nylon rope. The murder, which shocked the local community, triggered an intensive investigation led by a 12-member police team.

Addressing reporters on Saturday, Kodagu Superintendent of Police Ramarajan said that the five arrested individuals have been remanded to judicial custody. The accused have been identified as NS Anil (25) from Mugutageri village, Harish TS (29) from Nalluru village in Ponnampet taluk, Deepak (21) from Abburukatte village, Stefen D'Souza (26) from Nerugalale village, and Karthik HM (27) from Hithalamakki village in Somwarpet taluk.

According to police, Anil, the primary suspect, had been under pressure after a marriage proposal fell through. During the marriage discussions, the prospective bride’s family is said to have expressed reservations about Anil due to his lack of employment and assets. Police believe this setback may have motivated him to plot the murder, allegedly in a bid to acquire wealth quickly.

SP Ramarajan also revealed that Anil had a history of fraud. He had previously duped several residents in Bengaluru, Hassan, and Ponnampet by falsely claiming he could help locate hidden treasure on their properties. Similar fraudulent attempts were also reported in areas like Thithimathi, Konanakatte, and nearby villages.

In the present case, Anil had reportedly approached Pradeep Koili pretending to represent foreign buyers interested in purchasing the estate. He is said to have paid the victim Rs 1 lakh as advance to gain his trust.

CCTV footage from the area showed that the accused had attempted to cover up the crime by burying Koili’s body and trying to destroy surveillance cameras. During the investigation, police recovered Rs 13 lakh allegedly stolen from Koili’s house. They also seized two motorcycles, three mobile phones, and documents related to the estate property.

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