Continuing its populist schemes, the BJP Government in Chhattisgarh has now decided to provide health insurance cover for free and cashless treatment facility to 36 lakh poor families in the state.

Each of the 36 lakh families will get a health insurance cover of Rs 30,000 per annum under the proposed scheme, which will be implemented in six districts in the first phase to over 11 lakh families. The remaining 25 lakh families in 12 districts will also be covered in a phased manner.

An official spokesman said on Tuesday the families being covered under the scheme would be entitled to avail modern health facilities available at Government-run hospitals. Besides, selected private hospitals would also be enlisted so that those covered under the scheme could get treatment facilities not available in Government hospitals.

Chief Minister Raman Singh has also decided to introduce cashless treatment facility under the proposed scheme. Smart cards will be issued to the families to be covered under the scheme so that they can avail treatment facilities from designated hospitals without making any payment.

The health insurance cover to poor families would be run under the National Health Insurance scheme.