Arogyasri extended to those earning up to 5 lakh a year

Amaravati: In a major step towards extending health security to middle class, the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy government has decided to provide medical services to people earning up to Rs 5 lakh a year under Arogyasri scheme.

People whose annual income is up to Rs 5 lakh, who have up to 35 acre agriculture land, one personal car could avail the health benefits under the new relaxed norms. Income Tax returns will be taken as criterion to verify whether the annual income is under Rs 5 lakh or not.

KS Jawahar Reddy, principal secretary, health, medical and family welfare department, has issued GO No 628 detailing the new norms on Friday. The scheme is being implemented through the YSR Aarogyasri Health Care Trust.

As per the guidelines, outsourcing, contract, part time employees working for government departments, sanitary workers, honorarium-based employees working in government sector and employees of private sector are eligible to get YSR Aarogyasri Health Cards to avail the benefits under the scheme.

Pensioners, whose annual income is less than or up to Rs 5 lakh are also allowed under the scheme.

People belonging to different income groups, including Rice Card Holders, families that are eligible for YSR Pension Kanuka Card and Jagananna Vidya and Vasathi Deevena Card also can avail the benefits.

Land owners having less than 12 acre wetland or less than 35 acre dry land or total lands less than 35 acre (wet and dry), families not having more than one personal car are also eligible. The government allowed the households paying municipal property tax for the area less than 3,000 SFT (334 Sq. yds) to avail benefits under Arogyasri.