SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has said there is currently no proposal to increase the monthly medical allowance for its employees and pensioners from Rs 300 to Rs 1,000.
The Finance Department conveyed the position in its reply to Unstarred D.No. 1/6/304, tabled by Hiranagar MLA Vijay Kumar, who had sought an increase in the allowance in view of rising healthcare and medical costs and on the analogy of the Union Territory of Ladakh.
“Presently, no proposal is under consideration in the Finance Department for enhancement of the Medical Allowance from Rs 300/- to Rs 1,000/- per month,” the department said.
The government said its employees and their dependents are already covered by various medical facilities and benefits under the Jammu and Kashmir Medical Attendance-cum-Allowance Rules, as amended from time to time.
It also said employees and pensioners are covered under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) SEHAT Scheme, which provides medical insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh per family per year.
According to the Finance Department, Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) facilities have also been extended to employees who retired on or after January 31, 2019.
The government further stated that residents of Jammu and Kashmir aged 70 years and above are eligible for an additional Rs 5 lakh per family per year medical cover under the Ayushman Vay Vandana Yojana (AVVY), which also covers eligible pensioners.
The Finance Department said these facilities and health insurance benefits are available to employees and pensioners in addition to the existing monthly medical allowance of Rs 300.
