Rajahmundry: State government employees are up against the Telugu Desam government alleging that the health cards issued to them under the NTR Vaidya Seva are of no use as private hospitals are refusing medical treatment to them under the scheme.
The employees maintain that though the state government launched the health scheme in a big way and assured the employees, teachers, workers and pensioners cashless treatment for various ailments in corporate hospitals across the state, they are unable to avail the facility as hospitals refuse to the cards on the pretext that the state government was not in a position to reimburse their medical bills due to its precarious financial position.
They say that they also do not get health allowances or medical reimbursement for expenses incurred. Though the state government collects monthly premium ranging from a minimum of '90 from each employee, based on his or her position, no treatment is provided.
Referring to the statement of finance minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu that the state government has collected nearly '70 crores in the form of premium from the employees in the state so far, the employees ask the state government as to why they are being deprived of the medical treatment under the scheme.
They appreciated the TS government for implementing health scheme to its employees even without collecting monthly premium from them.
Referring to pensioners’ gratuity, they say that when the Pay Revision Commission has recommended it to be enhanced to Rs 12 lakh from the existing Rs 8 lakh. The state government issued an order to pay Rs 10 lakh against the demand for Rs 20 lakh.
West Godavari employees joint action committee chairman Lam Vidya Sagar said, “We all are facing a lot of hardships. We warn the government to activate the scheme immediately and if not, we will not take it lightly.”
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