Health insurance for all state govt staff: CM

Bhopal: CM Mohan Yadav on Sunday announced that all state govt employees would be brought under the ambit of health insurance, describing it as a significant step in strengthening the state's commitment to staff welfare.

He was speaking at a felicitation function organised by MP State Employees' Union at Ravindra Bhawan.

The CM said good governance which makes people's lives easier is the primary objective of his govt, and the successful implementation of this vision rests upon the govt employees. "In this sense, the employees of Madhya Pradesh are true 'Karma Yogis'. It is through their dedication and hard work that the state is progressing steadily on the path of welfare and development."

He said the loyalty and sincerity of state employees have been instrumental in implementing public welfare schemes, which have placed Madhya Pradesh among the leading states of the country. Govt employees, he said, serve as a vital bridge between the administration and the people, just as Nal and Neel did in the Ramayana.

The union honoured the CM for the pro-employee decisions taken in recent months. Also present on the occasion were MLA Bhagwandas Sabnani, Employees' Union state president Hemant Srivastava and general secretary Jitendra Singh.

During the event, Yadav approved the union's demand to extend the benefits of the health insurance scheme to govt employees. He affirmed the state govt's unwavering commitment to employee welfare under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi.

In alignment with the central govt, the state has decided to match the dearness allowance for its employees with that of the centre. The long-pending demand for house rent allowance, pending for the last nine years, has also been fulfilled. Furthermore, keeping in mind the convenience of officers, employees, and their families, a comprehensive transfer policy has been implemented across the state.

Yadav assured that the state government is systematically resolving all long-standing employee-related issues. Special recruitment drives are being run to fill vacant positions. All posts in the police department have been filled, and approval for police bands in all districts has been granted. The recruitment process for vacant positions is being ensured through annual MP Public Service Commission examinations. Provision of government housing for employees has also been prioritised, and soon, state-run bus services will be launched to improve public transport.

He added that 3,000 newly built staff quarters in New Market have been inaugurated and allocated to employees — an initiative aimed at improving their quality of life. Anganwadi workers, mini-Anganwadi workers, and helpers will now receive coverage under the 'Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana' and 'Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana', he said.

Following Modi's vision, the safety net of health insurance is being extended to a large section of the population, and in line with this effort, the health insurance demand of state employees has now been accepted.

The chief minister further stated that with the expansion of industrial activities in the state, employment opportunities are on the rise. The government is providing special incentives to employment-generating industries.

The state also aims to increase milk production from 9% to 20%. Several initiatives are underway for the welfare of the youth, women, farmers, and the poor as envisioned by Prime Minister Modi. Yadav emphasised that Madhya Pradesh now boasts better infrastructure, electricity, water, and road connectivity than many other states.

Expressing gratitude for the honour conferred upon him, chief minister Yadav reaffirmed his belief that the government and its employees will continue to work together as a team to improve the lives of the people of Madhya Pradesh.