Puri, 13 April (IANS). Odisha’s leading saints, Mahants and heads of religious institutions have demanded from the Central and State Government to include them under the Ayushman Bharat Health Scheme. A delegation met Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Odisha Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling in this regard at the Swaminarayan temple complex in Puri. The training session for BJP leaders is currently going on in the Swaminarayan temple complex.
The delegation consisted of senior Mahants from various monasteries in Odisha. He said that the general public is getting free treatment facility under Ayushman Bharat Scheme. However, thousands of saints and saints are deprived of this facility due to financial constraints. Saints say that there are more than 10,000 saints in Odisha who should be brought under the purview of this health plan.
Swami Shubhanand Puri, who was in the delegation, told the news agency IANS about the meeting that thousands of saints of Odisha live a life of simplicity and penance and remain dedicated to the service of society. However, when it comes to healthcare, then he remains neglected. Many times it is not possible for sage saints to treat serious illness.
Mahant Narayan Ramanuja Das of North Partition Math said that if ordinary citizens can take advantage of Ayushman Bharat Yojana, then why should the saint who has chosen the path of welfare of society by abandoning worldly life, why should they be deprived? This is not only of policy, but also a matter of social justice.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan assured the saints that they would take the issue seriously and raise it to the officials concerned. Odisha Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling also listened to the delegation carefully and assured as much cooperation as possible.
-IANS
PSK/CBT
