Sonia to launch Rajiv Gandhi health scheme expansion in Nagpur

Congress president Sonia Gandhi will launch expansion of a pro-poor health scheme named after former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, here on November 21.
"She (Sonia) will address a public rally and launch the scheme better known as 'Rajiv Gandhi Jeevandayaini Yojna', a flagship programme of the Congress-led UPA government, from the city," Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan told reporters this evening.
He was addressing media after reviewing preparations for the event at his official residence 'Ramgiri'.
Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar and other ministers from the Centre and state will be present on the occasion, he said.
"The insurance-based health scheme was initially launched in eight districts in Maharashtra as a pilot project and the beneficiaries were provided free health care, including post-operation care and to and fro expenses of patients, and over one lakh surgeries have been performed so far," Chavan said.

The chief minister said the scheme will be launched in all districts in Maharashtra by respective functionaries simultaneously.
"The public rally will be held at historic Kasturchand Park ground in the afternoon and more than one-and-a-half lakh Congress workers from across the region would attend the public meeting and function," said state unit Congress president Manikrao Thakre.