New Delhi, 04 April 2022: As per the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2017-18 carried out by the National Sample Survey Organisation of the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation, estimated 38 crore people are working as unorganised workers in the country.
Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri – Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) was launched on 23rd September, 2018 subsuming the Rashtriya Swasthya Beema Yojana to provide Rs. 5 lakh health coverage per family for secondary and tertiary hospitalization free of cost to the eligible labourers in the unorganised sector as per the criteria identified from the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) of 2011. This scheme is being implemented in all States/UTs except Delhi, Odisha and West Bengal. As on 29.03.2022, a total of 17.90 crore individuals have been verified and issued with smart cards.
All eligible beneficiaries are entitled to free healthcare services under AB PM-JAY from the day of the implementation of the scheme in their State/UT. Beneficiaries can visit the empanelled hospitals to verify their eligibility and avail healthcare services. The empanelled hospitals subsequently raise pre-authorization requests for the treatment proposed to be given to the verified beneficiaries.
Issuance of AB PM-JAY smart card is a continuous process based on the demand for services and eligibility criteria identified from the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) of 2011. However, Government is making all-out efforts to scale-up the issuance of Ayushman cards across the country.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Labour & Employment, Shri Rameswar Teli in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.