Maha extends health scheme to 865 villages in Karnataka amid border row
In light of the ongoing border dispute between Maharashtra and Karnataka, the former has issued an order to provide the benefits of its healthcare scheme to 865 villages in the latter.
It said people who are already beneficiaries of the Antyodaya food scheme, priority group families (under the National Food Security Act 2013) and Annapurna ration card holders can avail of healthcare benefits under the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Yojana.
Also Read: Ajit Pawar: People voted for Modi’s charisma over degree
The order said 865 villages from 12 tehsils in Belagavi, Karvar, Kalburgi and Bidar have been included under the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Yojana health scheme.
The families there will get medical insurance up to Rs 1.50 lakh per year for 996 types of treatments identified by the state. It also includes 34 different types of expert consultancies as well, the GR said.
The Maharashtra government has recognised several hospitals in the state where this health scheme can be availed by the people, the order said.
Also Read:Â The psychology of fake news, and the practicality of sifting it out
The border issue dates back to 1957 after the reorganisation of states on linguistic lines.
Maharashtra laid claim to Belagavi, which was part of the erstwhile Bombay Presidency as it has a sizable Marathi-speaking population. It also laid claim to more than 800 Marathi-speaking villages which are currently part of the southern state.
Karnataka, however, considers the demarcation done on linguistic lines as per the States Reorganisation Act and the 1967 Mahajan Commission Report as final.
