Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy highlighted that healthcare and education are the primary focuses of his government. During a discussion in the Assembly, he assured that no reductions would be made to the allocated funds for these sectors. In fact, he stated that additional funds would be provided if necessary.
Reddy pointed out that the previous government had allowed pending dues under the Rajiv Aarogyasri scheme to accumulate. However, his government not only took on this burden but also raised the coverage limit from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh under the scheme. Upon assuming office in December 2023, his government inherited pending dues amounting to Rs 627 crore under Arogyasri.
Since December 8, 2023, the government has disbursed a total of Rs 2,408 crore for the Aarogyasri scheme. Of this amount, Rs 927 crore went to government hospitals, while Rs 1,480 crore was allocated to private hospitals. The government has been ensuring timely payments, with only dues from the previous administration remaining outstanding, currently at Rs 727 crore.
Addressing concerns about pending dues causing private hospitals to close, Reddy clarified that the outstanding Aarogyasri dues owed to private hospitals are minimal. He also mentioned reforms in the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, emphasizing the implementation of an online application system to prevent irregularities. The government has already disbursed Rs 2,046 crore from this fund.
Reddy disclosed that Rs 4,500 crore has been earmarked for the medical treatment of the underprivileged. Plans are underway to utilize resources from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to enhance services in the state’s 35 medical colleges. Additionally, the government is considering referring Aarogyasri beneficiaries to these colleges to improve healthcare access.
The Chief Minister announced the extension of the ‘Indiramma Jeevitha Bima’ scheme to 1.15 crore families based on census data. This life insurance initiative aims to provide security to every family. Reddy also revealed plans to develop a website for Telangana doctors working abroad to offer their services in the state’s hospitals during visits.
Furthermore, the government is revamping TIMS hospitals in Alwal, LB Nagar, and Sanath Nagar into specialized facilities. A new Rs 3,000 crore building for Osmania Hospital in Goshamahal is also in progress. Reddy emphasized upcoming reforms to enhance the quality of education, acknowledging that while education is accessible, ensuring quality education remains a challenge.
