Keonjhar: Every household in the mineral rich Keonjhar district will get safe piped drinking water supply by December 2022, announced Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday.
The Chief Minister said this while launching distribution of the smart health card to Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) beneficiaries of Keonjhar district through virtual mode.
Stating the State Government aims to develop Keonjhar as a prosperous district of the State, Patnaik said that his Government has been focusing on drinking water. He announced that all villages, towns and families of the district would be provided with piped water by December 2022.
A mega poultry Project would be launched by the State Government at a cost of Rs 36 crore to increase the income of the tribal people of the district, he said, adding that it would benefit 30,000 tribal brothers and sisters.
He also launched various development projects worth Rs 1,433 crore for Keonjhar district through virtual mode on Thursday.
Around 4.20 lakh people of the district can avail the benefits of the smart health card. With this, the BSKY health cards have been distributed in 13 districts of the State.
He further said that the smart health card program has paved the way for the entire country in the field of health care.
The biggest concern is the money needed for treatment. For this, some sell land, some sell gold and some others borrow. Some even step in by sending their children to schools, Naveen said.
“When I come across such news, it pains me. Now, the beneficiaries can avail health services by using this card in more than 200 hospital chains of the country including Odisha,” the Chief Minister said.
“For me, every life is precious. Whether it’s a farmer or a labourer, a small shopkeeper, or a rickshaw puller, everyone should leave in dignity. This is the main goal of all welfare schemes of the State,” he pointed out.
Earlier on the occasion of 75th Independence Day, the Chief Minister had announced plans to provide Smart Health Cards to 3.5 crore people in the State under BSKY.
The Smart Health Card will be provided to 3.5 crore people of 96 lakh families. Each family can avail treatment cost up to Rs 5 lakh per annum. Women members can avail this benefit up to Rs 10 lakh every year.