Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) has decided to replace all the existing cards issued to those covered by the scheme with smart cards;

(b) if so, whether the job has been entrusted to a private company;

(c) the details of the arrangement made by when new cards are likely to be issued and the expenditure likely to be incurred thereon; and

(d) whether it would be ensured that the level of health care and other facilities now available to those covered by the scheme would not be altered to their detriment?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE
(SMT. PANABAKA LAKSHMI)

(a) It is proposed to issue individual plastic cards to each family member of CGHS beneficiaries, initially in Delhi.

(b) Preparation of individual cards shall be done through National Informatics Centre Services Incorporated (NICSI), a subsidiary of National Informatics Centre (NIC).
(c) Applications are to be submitted at the dispensaries by the CGHS beneficiaries. Last date of receipt of applications is 31st March, 2008. After the data is updated, preparation of plastic cards dispensary-wise shall start. It is expected that it will take 6months to complete the job. The estimated expenditure for individual plastic card is Rs.10/- per card.

(d) All facilities as available at present shall continue to be available after issue of individual cards.