Sarthak Kanjilall & John Wilbert
Port Blair, Jan 23: Hundreds of people could be seen in Tehsildar office these days struggling to get their income certificate issued for enrolling their names in ‘Ayushman Bharat’ scheme.
Sadly the income certificate that has a validity of only one year and when the income of a particular person is never constant, then why the Directorate of Health Services is asking for income certificate from people for ‘Ayushman Bharat’ scheme, is a million dollar question.
The Directorate of Health Services in a recent press release has asked the Islanders, whose income is below three lakhs to submit their income certificate for getting their names enrolled in ‘Ayushman Bharat’ scheme.
Around 300 people were seen standing in the queue at Tehsildar Office today to make their income certificates, which later turned into a chaos.
“Neither I am sick nor any of my family members are, but I was told that if I submit my income certificate now, I will get the benefit of the scheme when required,” said a person standing in the queue at e-corner, Tehsildar Office for income certificate.
Many say that there is need that the DHS must clarify the people that all eligible ones will get the benefit of ‘Ayushman Bharat’ scheme as and when required. “Can government deny benefit of Ayushman Bharat scheme to any needy?” questions an Islander.
There are many who are now demanding extension of the last date of submitting income certificate.
When Andaman Sheekha questioned Dr Omkar Singh, Director, Health Services, he said that for preliminary data, Health Department is collecting the income certificates and it’s an order from the High Command. The data will be renewed but the time for the same is not yet fixed.
“Hopefully the date for submission of income certificate will be extended for a month but even though I appeal general public to submit it as soon as possible,” said Dr Omkar.
Now the question is why people are made to struggle now for health problems they might get in future. Why such late date pressure on public? Why can’t public submit income certificate as and when required basis as income in never constant for people?
