Sadou Asam Karmachari Parishad reiterates demand for free health scheme

GUWAHATI: The Sadou Asam Karmachari Parishad (SAKP) on Friday reiterated their demand for a similar health scheme which is being availed by the Central government employees. In this regard, the SAKP held a representative meeting here following which it submitted a memorandum to the Commissioner Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Department.

Talking to The Sentinel SAKP secretary general Mrinal Das said, "We have been demanding a free health scheme for the State employees and pensioners for last 10 years from the Assam government. We have engaged in various meetings with the Health Department. In the budget speeches of the last three years, the State Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has been assuring to introduce a freThe Sadou Asam Karmachari Parishad (SAKP) on Friday reiterated their demand for a similar health scheme which is being availed by the Central government employees. In this regard, the SAKP held a representative meeting here following which it submitted a memorandum to the Commissioner Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Department. health scheme for the State employees. The sixth and seventh pay commission also recommended for the implementation of such a scheme for the employees."

He underlined that the members of the SAKP also visited Telangana to study a scheme which their government has implemented. Following the visit, the members submitted a report to the health department of the Assam government. However, due to the delay of the Health Department the scheme was never created, he opined.

"Various employees have to sell their properties to get health treatment. In September 30, we met the Health Minister to discuss on the issue. He said the scheme was not implemented due to technical glitch. He assured us that the State government will implement a scheme similar to the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS)," Das stressed.

The SAKP said that the Central government employees have to contribute a certain amount on a monthly basis to avail the CGHS. The amount varies from the category of the employee.

Further, giving suggestion to the government, Das said, "As the salaries of the State employees are less as compared to the Central employees, the contribution amount to get the free health scheme should be less."

The body urged the government to include the health expenses which the State government is bearing for its employees, to the suggested free health scheme. This will also reduce the contribution of the employees which need to give to avail the benefits of the suggested scheme, the SAKP added.

In the meeting, various other issues of the employees were discussed. It also emphasized on the creation of head master posts in primary schools.

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