In a revolutionary first step that could go a distance in restoring women’s pride in the Indian family system,Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday unfolded a family health scheme that would primarily revolve around the main woman of the family.
In what she called a card issued in the name of the “woman head of the family” the newly devised smart health card would take care of health expenses of up to Rs 5 lakh in a given family. The card issued to the woman would take care not only of her marital family but also of her biological parents, she said.
“This is a great step forward towards women’s empowerment,” Banerjee said, adding the person who would be issued the card would be considered as the head of the family and “it would not only take care of her marital family but also of her parents as often such parents become helpless in their old age.”
Listing how her Government’s achievements have been acknowledged internationally Banerjee said the Utkarsh Bangla scheme like the earlier Kanyashree plan had won UN awards. On social welfare she said how “about 8 crore people of the State get Rs 2 per kg rice” and her Government had waived the taxes on farm land.
“We have also done away with the mutation fees and have been giving Swami Vivekananda scholarships to the boys,” she said listing the numerous achievements of her Government.
