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Roll back hike in ECHS contribution, Congress tells government

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7 years ago

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New Delhi, Dec 31 (IANS) The Congress on Sunday demanded that the central government roll back the hike in the contribution by members in the Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS).

As per the revised norms, a retired Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) will now have to pay Rs 67,000 instead of the previous Rs 15,000, a Jawan will have to shell out Rs 30,000 instead of Rs 15,000 and a retired officer will have to pay Rs 1,20,000 instead of the previous Rs 60,000 to get basic medical care under the ECHS.

“This move of the Defence Ministry will put a heavy financial burden on about 52 lakh retired defence personnel and their around 2 crore dependents who have already been short changed by the government through the partially implemented OROP,” Congress spokesperson Sushmita Dev said at a press conference here.

“What is baffling is that the government is resorting to the alibi of hike in remuneration caused by the 7th Pay Commission to justify this senseless decision. This is fraudulent because while the increase in pay in the 7th pay panel was to the tune of an average 17 per cent, the hike in the ECHS is to the tune of 100 to 200 per cent,” she added.

Demanding a rollback of the hike, Dev said that the Congress MPs will take up this issue in Parliament.

“The pretensions of nationalism, deshbhakti (patriotism) and ‘sena pre’m (love for armed forces) of this government stands exposed…The government has severely hit the ex-servicemen by deciding to make them pay 2-3 times more for availing basic health services,” she said.

She said that for all the “boisterous posturing” done by the Prime Minister and his colleagues “in political rallies and TV studios”, the situation on ground is making us look “extremely vulnerable” which is serious cause of concern for the nation.

Maj. Gen. Satbir Singh (retd), Chairman of All India Federation of Ex-Servicemen’s Organisations (IESM), and Colonel Rohit Chaudhary (retd.), chairman Haryana state Congress ex-servicemen department were also present at the press conference.

–IANS
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Corona

Covid toll in Karnataka is a worrying sign for state government

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3 years ago

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May 4, 2022

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Even though Karnataka recorded the lowest number of Covid deaths in April since the virus struck first in 2020, the state is recording a rise in the positivity rate (1.50 per cent). Five people died from the Covid infections in April as per the statistics released by the state health department. In March, the positivity rate stood around 0.53 per cent. In the first week of April it came down to 0.38 per cent, second week registered 0.56 per cent, third week it rose to 0.79 per cent and by end of April the Covid positivity rate touched 1.19 per cent.

on an average 500 persons used to succumb everyday in the peak of Covid infection, as per the data. Health experts said that the mutated Coronavirus is losing its fierce characteristics as vaccination, better treatment facilities and awareness among the people have contributed to the lesser number of Covid deaths.

During the 4th and 6th of April two deaths were reported in Bengaluru, one in Gadag district on April 8, two deaths were reported from Belagavi and Vijayapura on April 30. The first Covid case was reported in the state in March 2020 and three Covid deaths were recorded in the month. In the following month 21 people became victims to the deadly virus, and May 2020 recorded 22 deaths. The death toll recorded everyday after May crossed three digits. However, the third wave, which started in January 2

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