Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has emphasized on maximum coverage of people under the three insurance schemes launched by the central government – Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) and Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Yojana or Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY).
The common people, specially those in rural areas, are not aware of the schemes and benefits each scheme can provide, the chief minister said and asked the deputy commissioner to take advantage of the ‘Sarkar Aapke Dwar’ camps to create awareness on these schemes.
He was addressing the 11th e-Pragati meeting virtually with all deputy commissioners from his office here on Monday. Khandu said for the rural poor these insurance schemes will be much beneficial as these can be availed free or at a very low premium.
“We need to take these schemes to villages and enroll as many beneficiaries as possible,” the chief minister stressed.
He also stressed on enrolling as many beneficiaries as possible under the state government flagship scheme, the chief minister’s Arogya Arunachal Yojana.
“Reaching out to the needy is your responsibility. Take regular review meetings on all such welfare schemes with departments concerned and reach the saturation point as soon as possible,” he told the DCs.
Referring to the target of February 28 next for implementation of shortlisted schemes, Khandu said that in the next e-Pragati meeting to be held after Statehood Day, he would take review of the status of each scheme district-wise.
Delving on the current status of the Covid-19 pandemic in the backdrop of the new Omicron variant taking the world by storm, he directed the DCs to act independently as per emerging situation in their respective districts.
He urged them to refer to the SOPs circulated by the state disaster management authority and the health department, and also the guidelines drawn by the ICMR in dealing with any emerging situation.
Stating that though the new Covid variant is extremely transmissible, it is not yet life threatening, the CM, however, emphasized that vaccination is the only way forward. He directed the DCs to constantly monitor the vaccination drives and inoculate all eligible persons as per a recent order of the central government.
“It has been proved that vaccination is the only reason that this Omicron is not life threatening. Therefore, it should be our endeavour to vaccinate all our eligible citizens, including those in the age group of 15 to 18 years,” he pointed.
Khandu further called upon the DCs of certain districts where the percentage of vaccination is still low to take regular reviews and ascertain the causes for the low percentage and work on it.