Karnataka to provide healthcare to all soon
Bengaluru: In line with the 'Modicare' of the Central government, Karnataka too would provide healthcare to all people in the state soon, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Friday.
"The universal health coverage scheme under the name 'Arogya Karnataka Yojane' will be started this month to provide primary, secondary and tertiary treatment to all people in the state," Siddaramaiah said in the Assembly, presenting the State Budget for the ensuing 2018-19 fiscal.
The scheme is expected to be implemented in the entire state by the end of the year.
The Budget, however, does not mention the funds allotted for the implementation of the healthcare scheme or the specifics of how many people in the state it benefits.
"A total of 9,000 health and wellness centers will be set up for every 5,000 people over the next seven years for providing quality primary healthcare services," asserted Siddaramaiah, who is also the state Finance Minister.
A total of Rs 6,645 crore has been allotted for health and family welfare in the 2018-19 Budget.
The Chief Minister also proposed in his budget speech to construct a 1,000-bedded additional ward in Bangaluru Medical College and Research Institute here.
"A grant of Rs 90 crore is being provided for 2018-19 to commence the construction of hospitals in medical colleges of Gadag, Koppal, Chamarajanagar, which will be built at the cost of Rs 100 crore each," he stated.
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KSRTC introduces gender ticketing in buses across Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): The KSRCTC on Saturday began implementing gender ticketing in buses operating across the state.
According to a Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) circular issued on Friday, the gender ticketing system is intended to record whether a passenger is a woman, a man or a child in tickets issued on KSRTC buses from Saturday.
To facilitate the system, Electronic Ticketing Machines (ETMs) have been updated.
The circular stated that conductors in all KSRTC depots should record the gender category of passengers while issuing tickets through the ETMs.
Options for women, men, and children have been included in the ETMs to identify passenger categories when issuing tickets.
The printed tickets generated by the ETMs will also indicate the passenger's category, officials said.
The UDF had promised free KSRTC travel for women across the state during the Assembly election campaign.
UDF, which won 102 of 140 seats, would soon form the government after the Congress party finalises the discussion on the next Chief Minister.
The introduction of gender ticketing is being viewed as an effort to estimate the number of women travelling daily on KSRTC buses before implementing the poll promise.
Some conductors have reportedly raised concerns over the additional time required to record passenger details, especially during rush hours.
