CGHS units in Guwahati and Dibrugarh are ready but Silchar still deprived; MP Rajdeep Roy raises issue in parliament

By barakbulletin On September 21, 2020 - 11:14 am

Silchar MP, Rajdeep Roy raised an issue related to Silchar during the zero hour at parliament post-midnight on Sunday (Monday). Speaking in Bengali, Roy raised the issue of unavailability of CGHS and ECHS unit in Silchar.

Rajdeep Roy brought to the attention of speaker, Om Birla that the government had made a move to set up CGHS units in Guwahati, Dibrugarh and Silchar. “Though the units in Guwahati and Dibrugarh has been built, Silchar is still deprived. Six months back, I had written to the honourable health minister of India and he said it will be done soon,” said Roy.

CGHS or Central Government Health Scheme is a government initiative that provides comprehensive medical care to the Central Government employees and pensioners enrolled under the scheme. CGHS caters to the healthcare needs of eligible beneficiaries covering all four pillars of democratic set up in India namely Legislature, Judiciary, Executive and Press. is the model Health care facility provider for Central Government employees & Pensioners. Presently approximately 35 lakh beneficiaries are covered by CGHS in 71 cities all over India and the endeavour is to include more cities to improve the accessibility of the services.

Similarly, ECHS or Ex-serviceman Contriutory Health Scheme is an initiative to provide healthcare to the retired armed force serviceman.

“There are 50,000 eligible beneficiaries of these schemes in Silchar (Barak Valley) and if we fail to provide healthcare to the pensioners and ex-serviceman it will be a failure to fulfil our responsibilities as public representative,” added Rajdeep Roy.

Parliament session yday in LokSabha carried on well past midnight that also on a Sunday!Got scope to raise the issue ( ZERO HOUR) of starting the CGHS/ ECHS unit in Silchar at the earliest as desired by the Central Govt.

Posted by Dr. Rajdeep Roy on Sunday, September 20, 2020

The benefits under CGHS include reduced consultation fees, deducted medical examination charges and dedicated units among many others. In Guwahati, there are private hospitals which have been empanelled under the CGHS which provides eligible beneficiaries treatment at the government’s set price point.

Will the zero-hour move help Silcharians and Barakians to get a CGHS unit? It remains to be seen.