NHIS to be extended to vendors, taxi drivers in Himachal

The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) would be extended to vendors, rehriwalas, rag-pickers and taxi drivers, Director General in Union Employment Welfare Ministry Anil Swaroop today said.
Those working for 15 days under MNREGA would also be entitled to avail benefits of the scheme, he said.
Swaroop, who was here to review the implementation of NHIS, said the performance of Himachal Pradesh, among 28 states where the scheme had been implemented, was appreciable in issuing the smart cards and added that health insurance cover was provided to each insured family.
NHIS has been adjudged as one of the 18 top schemes by United Nations and so far 35 crore smart cards issued and 450 out 600 districts in the country covered, he said.

In Himachal, the scheme was launched in Shimla and Kangra in 2007 and later extended to all 12 districts.
He said that for the first time the villagers engaged under MNREGA would be covered under the scheme provided they have worked for a minimum 15 days.
Aam Adami Bima Yojana has also been launched by the Centre but so far only two states Punjab and Karnataka have implemented the scheme while Himachal was among the states who are yet to implement the scheme, he said.
Under the scheme, a premium of Rs 200 has to be paid by the Centre and the state governments in 50:50 ratio and the liability of Himachal government on implementing the scheme was Rs 100 crore, he added.