Odisha's Government Approves Crucial Decisions, Among Them Encompasses Ayushman Bharat Rollout
The Odisha Cabinet has made a significant move by approving two major initiatives: the State Road Policy and the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) for Odisha.
Regarding the AB PM-JAY, the Cabinet's approval means over 3.46 crore people in Odisha are now eligible for free healthcare under this central government flagship health insurance scheme. This move represents a shift from the state's previous Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY). The scheme offers Rs 5 lakh cashless treatment coverage per family annually, with an additional Rs 5 lakh specifically for women beneficiaries. Odisha has empaneled over 29,000 private hospitals nationwide for treatment access.
The government is enhancing healthcare infrastructure, adding four new government medical colleges soon in Dhenkanal, Jagatsinghpur, Bhadrak, and Nabarangpur. In Koraput district, over 3 lakh health cards have been distributed under the scheme, benefiting thousands of senior citizens through linked programs like the Ayushman Vayo Vandana Yojana.
As for the State Road Policy, Odisha aims to improve connectivity statewide by upgrading rural and urban road networks, boosting transportation facilities, and stimulating economic development. The policy is part of Odisha's broader plan to build extensive transport corridors and bypass roads across key cities and districts like Dhenkanal, Berhampur, Jharsuguda, Bhawanipatna, Kendrapara, Keonjhar, Bhubaneswar, and Khordha. These projects seek to reduce traffic congestion, cut travel times by up to 40 minutes on certain corridors, and enhance access to ports and industrial areas. Presently, 10 bypass roads (48 km) are under construction, and 6 more (32 km) have been approved, backed by a budget of approximately Rs 1,770 crore. A high-priority express corridor in Cuttack is pending Union Cabinet approval for construction under a hybrid annuity model.
These approvals reflect Odisha’s priorities in healthcare expansion and transport infrastructure modernization. The State Road Policy is expected to boost trade, commerce, and accessibility in remote areas, while the AB PM-JAY rollout expands free cashless healthcare for millions of people in the state. The extension of the One-Time Settlement Scheme aims to facilitate better compliance and revenue collection, marking a crucial step in policy advancement.
[1] Times of India: "Odisha Cabinet approves Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY for state, State Road Policy" [2] The New Indian Express: "Odisha: Over 3.46 crore people to get free healthcare under PM-JAY" [3] The Hindu: "Odisha State Road Policy: 10 bypass roads to be built at a cost of Rs 1,770 crore" [4] OdishaTV: "4 new medical colleges to be set up in Odisha"
- The State Road Policy, a significant initiative approved by the Odisha Cabinet, aims to boost strategic transport infrastructure, increase connectivity across rural and urban areas, enhance economic growth, and improve access to ports and industrial sites.
- Following the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) in Odisha, over 3.46 crore people are now eligible for free healthcare under this central government-run health insurance scheme, marking a significant shift from the previous Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY).
- Policy and legislation play critical roles in the health and wellness sector as well as in the campaign to eradicate medical-conditions, with ongoing policy advancements such as the extension of the One-Time Settlement Scheme for improved compliance and revenue collection in the Odisha government's ongoing efforts.
