Bhubaneswar: A new chapter has been added to Odisha’s development history with the launch of the long-awaited Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana–Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana. The schemes were launched today by Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda in the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi at a grand event held at Cuttack’s Balijatra Ground.
According to an official press release, addressing the gathering, Union Health Minister Nadda clarified that Ayushman Bharat is not merely an insurance scheme but an assurance of healthcare. He described it as the world’s largest healthcare program, which has already benefited 8 crore 90 lakh people nationwide. “We promised to implement this scheme during the elections, and today we have fulfilled that commitment. The people of Odisha made the right decision at the right time, enabling the rollout of this scheme in the state. It will economically empower the people,” he said.
Nadda praised Chief Minister Mohan Majhi and Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling for implementing the scheme within just 10 months of assuming office. He also commended Odisha’s remarkable efforts in TB eradication. Urging MLAs to visit every household to raise awareness, Nadda emphasized ensuring maximum enrollment and card issuance under the scheme.
In his address, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi welcomed the Union Health Minister and stated that today marks another milestone in Odisha’s development journey. He noted that for nearly six years, political reasons had deprived the people of Odisha of this historic scheme, but its launch today fulfills a long-standing need.
Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister said, “Universal, quality healthcare is a cornerstone of social and economic progress. Physical and mental well-being makes citizens capable, confident, and self-reliant, and self-reliant citizens realize the dream of prosperity. Recognizing this truth, Prime Minister Modi has implemented the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana across the country.” He added that millions of beneficiaries have showered their blessings on the Prime Minister for this visionary initiative.
Thanking PM Modi, Majhi highlighted that the scheme, which was also denied to the people of Delhi, was launched there yesterday. “This is the model of a double-engine government, where development accelerates twofold,” he said.
The Chief Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to healthcare, stating that financial constraints would never hinder these efforts. Under the scheme, approximately 1 crore 3 lakh families, covering 3 crore 46 lakh beneficiaries, will receive benefits. Each family will be entitled to free treatment up to ₹5 lakh annually at 29,000 empaneled private and government hospitals across India. Additionally, women family members will receive an extra ₹5 lakh annually for free treatment.
Furthermore, senior citizens aged 70 and above will benefit from the Ayushman Vay Vandana Yojana, with free treatment up to ₹5 lakh per family. Over 23 lakh senior citizens will be covered under this scheme, including an additional 6 lakh beneficiaries alongside those already enrolled in the Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana. Collectively, these schemes will benefit 3 crore 52 lakh people.
Majhi clarified that the schemes provide individual cards to each beneficiary within a family, not just a single family card. He added that Odisha will receive central funding in a 60:40 ratio for the Ayushman Bharat scheme, with the state government also allocating substantial funds.
Acknowledging the needs of families with members living outside Odisha for work or education, the Chief Minister assured that beneficiaries will face no hurdles in accessing healthcare nationwide. He also addressed senior citizens’ healthcare, noting that financial constraints often prevent families from providing adequate treatment to elderly parents. “From today, families no longer need to worry about ensuring quality care for their seniors,” he said.
Majhi criticized past political decisions that not only delayed healthcare schemes but also kept Odisha’s students from benefiting from the National Education Policy 2020. “Our government implemented the new education policy immediately upon taking office, ensuring brighter futures for our students,” he said.
Highlighting healthcare achievements, the Chief Minister shared that in the past year, 4,000 doctors and healthcare workers have been appointed in three phases, with recruitment process underway for an additional 5,374 doctors and dentists. He also noted that beneficiaries living outside Odisha can access free treatment at empaneled hospitals nationwide, with hospital details available on the Health Department or Ayushman Bharat website.
The Chief Minister informed that a budget allocation of ₹3,881 crore for healthcare infrastructure projects has been made under the Mukhyamantri Swasthya Mission and ₹420 crore under Ama Hospitals this year. Plans are in place to establish new medical colleges in Jagatsinghpur, Bhadrak, Nabarangpur, and Dhenkanal, adding to the state’s existing 12 medical colleges.
Reflecting on the government’s transformative initiatives within a year, Majhi said, “June 12 last year marked a new dawn for Odisha. With the blessings of 4.5 crore people, we are working to fulfill their aspirations.” He cited schemes like Subhadra Yojana, an additional ₹800 for paddy procurement, a ₹500 crore corpus fund for Shri Jagannath Temple management, and the opening of all four temple gates as examples of rapid progress.
Additionally, the past 10 months have seen the launch of schemes like Godabarish Adarsh Vidyalaya at the panchayat level, Madho Singh Haathkharcha Yojana, Mukhyamantri Kanya Bibaha Yojana, Shri Jagannath Darshan Yojana, Mukhyamantri Poshan Yojana, and Antodaya Gruha Yojana, all aimed at improving lives and transforming Odisha into a developed state by 2036.
Today, the Chief Minister inaugurated a seven-storey building for the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Post Graduate Institute of Paediatrics (Shishu Bhawan) in Cuttack, increasing its bed capacity from 422 to 846, including 140 ICU beds. A hostel for 180 resident doctors was also opened. Additionally, a microbiology laboratory was inaugurated at the State Medical Corporation campus in Bhubaneswar to test food and water samples for quality assurance.
Calling for collective efforts to build a Healthy Odisha, Developed Odisha, Majhi urged citizens to help make Odisha prosperous and developed by 2036.
Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram stated that the government works for the people, adding that the Ayushman Bharat scheme would particularly benefit Odisha’s tribal communities.
State Health Minister Dr. Mukesh Mahaling emphasized that with the scheme’s implementation, Odisha’s residents can access healthcare services from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.
Cuttack MP Bhartruhari Mahtab, Kendrapara MP Baijayant Panda, and Jagatsinghpur MP Bibhuprasad Tarai spoke on the scheme’s potential to benefit Odisha’s people.
The event was attended by Deputy Chief Ministers Kanak Vardhan Singhdeo and Pravati Parida, various MLAs, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, Health Secretary Ashwathi S, and other dignitaries. Ministers, MPs, and MLAs from across the state joined virtually.
