‘Mukhyamantri Shikshak Cashless Chikitsa Suvidha Yojana’: Another health security scheme of Yogi government | Lucknow News

The Uttar Pradesh government has launched the Mukhyamantri Shikshak Cashless Chikitsa Suvidha Yojana, a welfare initiative aimed at strengthening the health security of teachers and personnel of the Education Department. Launched by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the scheme provides cashless healthcare to eligible beneficiaries and their families while also extending additional social security benefits through a partnership with the State Bank of India (SBI).Around 12 lakh teachers, Shiksha Mitras, instructors, cooks and other eligible personnel, along with their family members, have been brought under the ambit of the scheme. The government says the initiative is designed to ensure comprehensive healthcare support while reducing the financial burden arising from medical emergencies.Who is eligible?The scheme covers a wide range of personnel associated with the state’s Education Department. Eligible beneficiaries include teachers of Basic and Secondary schools, teachers of aided schools, Shiksha Mitras, Special Teachers (CWSN), Anudeshaks (instructors), wardens of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas, full-time and part-time teachers, cooks working under the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Yojana, and other eligible Education Department personnel.Importantly, the benefits are not restricted to employees alone. Their family members are also covered under the scheme, significantly expanding the reach of the government’s health security initiative.What benefits does the scheme provide?The Mukhyamantri Shikshak Cashless Chikitsa Suvidha Yojana offers cashless medical treatment of up to Rs 5 lakh per family every year at empanelled government and private hospitals.The scheme includes around 1,900 treatment packages, covering everything from routine medical care to specialised treatment for serious illnesses. These packages include treatment for heart diseases, cancer, kidney ailments, complex surgeries, and several other medical procedures. By offering cashless treatment, the scheme seeks to ensure that beneficiaries do not have to arrange funds before receiving medical care at empanelled hospitals.How much will the government spend?The Uttar Pradesh government will bear the entire annual premium of Rs 3,000 per teacher, ensuring that beneficiaries are not required to pay for enrolment under the scheme.To implement the programme, the state government has earmarked an annual expenditure of approximately Rs 447 crore, making it one of the major welfare initiatives for Education Department personnel in the state.How will the scheme be implemented?The scheme will be implemented through the State Agency for Comprehensive Health and Integrated Services (SACHIS).According to the government, the implementation will be managed through a digitally empowered system operated by SACHIS. The digital framework is intended to ensure a transparent, efficient and middleman-free process for availing benefits under the scheme.MoU with State Bank of IndiaAs part of the rollout, a Social Security Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Basic Education Department and the State Bank of India.The agreement is aimed at facilitating the implementation of the scheme while also providing beneficiaries with an expanded social security cover beyond healthcare benefits.Additional social security coverBesides cashless medical treatment, the scheme also includes a range of insurance benefits under the MoU with SBI.These include life insurance, disability benefits, personal accident insurance and air accident insurance. For contractual employees, the social security cover ranges from Rs 30 lakh to Rs 80 lakh, depending on the applicable category. These additional benefits are intended to provide financial security to employees and their families in the event of unforeseen circumstances.Key highlights