Aarogyasri cards for journalists: Minister

Minister for Health Pithani Satyanarayana on Monday said the 'Rajiv Aarogyasri Health Insurance Scheme' would be extended to all Journalists in the state.Addressing the media after a review meeting of the Aarogyasri implementation in the state, he said at present 6,183 journalists had already been enrolled under the scheme.

Stating that the government was committed to the welfare of the journalists in the state, he said the government would give Aarogyasri Cards to all eligible journalists within two months. All those eligible journalists should take the IRIS photos at DPL centres, he added.The Minister said that the Information Department would play a key role in disseminating information to the people on government's welfare programmes and developmental activities in the state.

He said the department had succeeded in providing information to the people on the welfare schemes, like Rajiv Aarogyasri Health Insurance Scheme, Indiramma Housing Scheme, distribution of pensions and ration cards, scholarships to students and irrigation projects taken up under ''Jalayagnam'' in the state.Admitting that there was a shortage of staff in the department, he said the department would be strengthened in the next five years with sufficient staff and giving promotions to the existing staff.