Ayushman Sahakar Scheme – A Health Care Insurance Scheme!

What do you mean by Ayushman Sahakar Program?

The Ayushman Sahakar Program was launched by the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), an organisation under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare. Announcing the program on October 19, 2020. The strategy was produced and funded by NCD. The COVID-19 pandemic planted the roots for a more robust healthcare system, making the program’s launch important. The Scheme is overseen by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare. The NCDC is in charge of designing and funding the program.

The correct regions and times are targeted by the Scheme. The level of readiness we have now ensures a safer future, because healthcare, a fundamental component of human development, has a multiplier impact on many facets of human existence, including science and technology, economy, innovation, etc. It is important to take into account the effective scheme execution and joint oversight regarding the use of NCDC funds. A better healthcare system for the nation is promised by the Ayushman Sahakar program.

Ayushman Sahakar Programme Key features

The Ayushman Sahakar Scheme has the following characteristics:

• This plan was created by the NCDC or National Cooperative Development Corporation. In the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, NCDC is housed.
• The Ayushman Sahakar initiative aids in expanding the range of healthcare services cooperatives provide.
• This is what it addresses: Establishment Modernization, Hospitals, Expansion, healthcare facilities, and educational facilities need renovations & repair.
• Any cooperative society may use the Ayushman Sahakar Fund as long as they engage in healthcare-related activities made possible by the National Cooperative Development Corporation.
• 10,000 crore rupees worth of loans would be given to cooperatives by this administration. Additional resources include working capital and margin capital.
• For cooperatives es with a majority of women, there will be a 1% interest subsidy.

Aim of the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme

The creation and promotion of health infrastructure are the primary objectives of the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme. In addition, the project hopes to coordinate with other missions, plans, and initiatives of the Indian government. The primary goals are:

• Cheap Healthcare: To provide cooperatives the support they need to offer the general population more modern, cheap healthcare services.
• Helping cooperatives achieve the goals of the national digital health mission is part of the national digital health goal; to develop a comprehensive health insurance-supporting digital health environment
• Promote AYUSH facilities through cooperative organisations. It encompasses the six popular and widely used Indian medical systems in South Asia.
• Developing a complete healthcare system, encompassing education, hospital facilities, services, and several other healthcare-related fields, requires financial support from cooperatives.

Ayushman Sahakar Scheme: Its Importance

An effective approach is followed, including healthcare, hospitals, paramedical education, medical education, nursing education, and holistic health systems like AYUSH.

The demand for new healthcare facilities is increased by the COVID-19 Pandemic.

In the entire nation, cooperatives manage nearly 52 hospitals. Their total bed strength of them exceeds 5000. The program increases the availability of healthcare services provided by the cooperatives.

The plan is in line with the priorities of the National Health Policy, 2017, which focuses on the health systems in all of their aspects, including investments in healthcare, the management of healthcare services, access to technologies, the development of human resources, the promotion of medical diversity, and the provision of affordable healthcare to farmers, among others.

Advantages of the Ayushman Sahakar Plan

• The COVID-19 epidemic has highlighted the need for additional facilities to be built.
• Therefore, the NCDC’s plan will be a step toward the Central Government’s efforts to strengthen farmer welfare.
• Villagers will benefit from a variety of services, including hospitals and medical schools, under this plan.

What source of funding is used for the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme?

In the upcoming years, the National Development Corporation will grant term loans to potential cooperatives up to a total of Rs 10,000 crore.

Any cooperative society with a bylaw that allows it to engage in health-related activities would be entitled to receive the NCDC money.

Eligible cooperatives may receive NCDC funding directly or indirectly through the State Governments/UT Administrations.

The program also offers cooperatives with a majority of women a 1% interest subsidy on top of working capital and margin money to cover operational needs.

Activities covered by Ayushman Sahakar

• The healthcare sector is promoted and developed under the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme. The plan also outlines specific actions the NCDC assistant will be responsible for covering.
• Infrastructure involves the construction, modernization, and expansion of healthcare facilities as well as the repair and renovation of hospitals. This covers nearly all healthcare infrastructure forms, including hospitals, AYUSH clinics, blood banks, lab services,  and any other facilities or services the NCDC deems necessary.
• Digital health-related information and communication technology (ICT) services.
• Telemedicine (Treatment by Telecommunication Technology) and remotely assisted medical treatments are covered by health insurance that has been approved by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA).

Why Ayushman Sahakar Scheme Is Required?

Ayushman Sahakar Scheme is urgently needed for social welfare, and it appears to be more essential than ever in the wake of historic events like the Covid-19 epidemic. The main arguments in favour of such a plan are:

Respond to Emergency: Covid 19 has raised concerns regarding the infrastructure and facilities needed for any emergencies requiring healthcare services. Therefore, improved planning for additional hospitals and better service is the only option to tackle circumstances like Covid.

Ayushman Sahakar Policy will play a vital role in providing the best healthcare services available in rural regions and promoting inclusive healthcare throughout the nation.

Eligibility Conditions for the Ayushman Sahakar Policy

To get the advantages of the Ayushman Sahakar Policy, an organisation must first satisfy the qualifying conditions. Cooperatives can benefit from incentives offered by other government programs at the same time thanks to the program. Regarding qualifying for this Scheme, the following details:

• A cooperative society must be authorised to operate under the Multi-State or State Cooperative Societies Act to be eligible for Ayushman Sahakar Policy benefits.
• A clause in the cooperative society’s bylaws should also permit it to offer services to the healthcare industry.

Funding of the Ayushman Sahakar Yojana Scheme

The Government of India formed the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) as an apex autonomous agency by the Act of Parliament, 1963. The National Centre for Agricultural Development (NCDC) was established to plan and advance programs for the processing, production, marketing, storage, and export-import of industrial goods, agricultural products, livestock, and other commodities and services such as healthcare, hospitals, and education, among others. To provide financial assistance to cooperatives at all three tiers—District, Primary, and Multi-state—the NCDC operates on cooperative principles. The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, the government of India, has administrative responsibility over the NCDC, which is a financial powerhouse. It is the most popular financial product.

Loan and Charge

The project’s price will reflect its actual needs. The loan will have an 8-year term with a 1-2 year moratorium on debt payments, depending on the projects’ kinds and capacity for generating income.

Interest Rate

NCDC may occasionally make changes to the interest rate circular. For carrying out the project activities, NCDC will offer a reward that is one percent less than the term loan’s applicable rate of interest. These interest rates will be offered to borrower cooperative societies with a majority of female members for the duration of the loan as long as they make their payments on time.

Steps to Apply for Ayushman Sahakar Scheme

Follow the instructions below to register online for the Ayushman Sahakar Yojana program if you are one of the nation’s interested recipients.

• Go to the National Cooperative Development Corporation’s authorised website first. As soon as you access the website, the home page will load in front of you.
• Scroll down the home page to find the Common Loan Application Form option. You must select this choice. The next page will show up after selecting the Common Loan Application option.
• You must choose every piece of information that is requested on this page, including the loan’s kind, activity, and purpose.
• After completing the form completely, you must press the submit button. You will fill out the form in this manner.

Security Given Under the Policy

NCDC assists the cooperatives under the Ayushman Sahakar Yojana through the State Government or Direct Funding. If a direct loan is required, the cooperative society may provide security or a loan in any one or a combination of the following:

• Along with the assets produced by the project, the assets will be mortgaged to the tune of 1.5 times the NCDC loans.
• Governmental assurance from the state or the federal level.
• 1.2 times the amount of the NCDC loan in FDRs from Scheduled Banks or Nationalised Banks.
• Assurance provided by central PSUs, statutory organisations, and the CSR foundations of central PSUs.
•  From the Nationalised or Scheduled Banks, as a guarantee.
• Governmental bonds or securities that are worth 1.2 times the loan from the NCDC are assigned and hypothecated.

Conclusion

The COVID pandemic’s rise has highlighted the critical need to support rural India’s healthcare industry. The Ayushman Sahakar Yojana provides cooperatives and start-ups with simple access to low-interest financing if they are prepared to enter into a contract for health-related services that would guarantee last-mile delivery of healthcare services throughout the nation.

The cooperatives have already played a significant role in improving several industries, but the Indian healthcare industry has benefited the most. NCDC has so far provided funding for a small number of hospitals that are administered by cooperatives all around the nation. The Ayushman Sahakar Yojana was created to broaden its remit, particularly in situations like this one when the Covid-19 epidemic has made it necessary to improve the healthcare infrastructure in rural India.

FAQ SECTION

What does Ayushman Sahakar mean?

The innovative Ayushman Sahakar Scheme was introduced on October 19, 2020, by Union Minister of Agriculture Shri Parshottam Rupala. To help cooperatives play a significant part in developing the nation’s infrastructure and healthcare, the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) was founded. It serves as the principal autonomous body for financing development within the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

What kind of activities goes under the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme?

Infrastructure, operating capital, and margin money are all covered by the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme. A loan duration of up to 8 years and financial support is provided under this program to cooperative organisations seeking to enhance holistic healthcare in rural regions.

Describe NCDC.

The Nationwide Cooperative Development Corporation, or NCDC for short, is responsible for directing, organising, and funding cooperative development initiatives on a nationwide scale.

When was the Ayushman Sahakar Program introduced?

Parshottam Rupala, the Union Minister for Agriculture, introduced the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme on October 19, 2020.

What is the major goal of the Ayushman Sahakar?

Rural healthcare and change are key areas of focus.

What is the name of the initiative run by the Agriculture Ministry to help cooperatives build out their healthcare systems?

A new initiative dubbed “AYUSHMAN SAHAKAR” has been introduced by the Agriculture Ministry to help cooperatives build out their healthcare facilities. It was founded by the NCDC- National Cooperative Development Corporation.

Who are qualified for this scheme?

Ayushman Sahakar’s financial aid is available to any cooperative that wants to engage in healthcare initiatives.

What are the major aims of the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme?

The Ayushman Sahakar Scheme’s main goal is to encourage cooperative societies to provide affordable, comprehensive healthcare through their facilities for education, healthcare, and research. Promoting AYUSH facilities will help cooperative societies, assisting cooperative societies in accomplishing the National Health Policy’s objectives.