Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched a new health scheme, the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana, on Wednesday on the occasion of the 72nd Independence Day. He said the Biju Swasthya Yojana would cover 70 lakh people.

Patnaik announced the launch of the scheme in his brief Independence Day speech and said regardless of the “cooperation or non-cooperation” (referring to the central government), the state government was implementing the health for all scheme from August 15. “It is your money and your cooperation that is required and it was a promise made to you by my government,” he said.

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Glad to dedicate the #BijuSwasthyaKalyanYojana to people of Odisha on #ସ୍ୱାଧୀନତାଦିବସ. Stepping up our resolve #Health4All, #BSKY provides health assurance coverage for 70 lakh families in #Odisha, covering more than 70% population pic.twitter.com/PcmIrQCKev

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— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) August 15, 2018

It may be recalled the Odisha government had rejected the National Health Protection scheme, widely called the Modicare scheme, as it covered much lesser number of people in Odisha by adopting the 2011 census.

The Odisha government has gone ahead with its own Biju Swasthya Yojana with an extended coverage up to Rs 5 lakh per year. The amount is Rs 7 lakh for women.

“The government is focussed on welfare of all, particularly the farmers, women and youth. The youth, women and farmers are provided loan at one per cent interest,” said Patnaik.

The CM said Odisha had progressed in all sectors and was proud to have successfully hosted the Asian Athletics Meet. In November, Odisha would host the World Cup Hockey, he noted.

“Peace and development go together, social welfare and social security are the priorities of the government,” said the CM.

He said Odisha was a model for several other states in many respects. “We have progressed rapidly and will continue to do so.”

Earlier, he unfurled the National Flag and took salute. The march past was curtailed with the omission of contingents from educational institutions due to forecast of thunderstorm and lightning.

When the CM spoke, there was a light drizzle but the weather had cleared by the time he concluded.

At the Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar, the CM distributed cards of the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana to beneficiaries. He described it as a historic initiative that would have a catalytic impact on the states health scenario.

“This health assurance scheme will benefit more than 70% of our population. In addition the states entire population will be covered under the free health services,” he said.