News Brief
New ‘War Room’ Planned To Curb Double Benefits Under Central, State Health Schemes In Maharashtra
Devendra Fadnavis, CM of Maharashtra
The Maharashtra government will set up a special ‘war room’ to bring together health schemes of both the Central and state governments to prevent individuals from availing double benefits, news agency PTI reported.
The 'war room' panel will be led by Maharashtra Institution for Transformation (MITRA) CEO and former IAS officer Praveen Pardeshi.
The 12-member committee will reportedly comprise top administrative officers from departments such as Public Health, Medical Education, Social Justice, Women and Child Welfare, Law and Judiciary, Labour, Tribal Development, Minority Development, and Divyang Welfare.
It will also include the head of the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund cell and an assistant director.
"There are multiple health welfare schemes launched by the Central and state governments. There have been instances where benefits under both the schemes were availed by individuals, which is not permissible. Therefore the plan is to streamline these schemes by integrating them,"the health official was quoted as saying by PTI.
The state will soon launch a unified toll-free number — 1800-123-2211 — to assist citizens with all health-related needs, the official added.
Maharashtra already runs a similar ‘war room’ to track progress on infrastructure, industrial, and social projects.
