नवीनतम
Health insurance priority for govt: FM Sitharaman
NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: Emphasising that health insurance is a priority for this government, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said that the Centre want to extend insurance coverage to the poorest of the poor, so that the cashless system can be brought in.
Replying to a question in the Rajya Sabha, she highlighted the government's efforts in prioritising the health insurance market.
"In December 2025, we brought in a Bill whereby we had increased the FDI coverage to 100pc, primarily aiming to bring greater penetration and deepen the insurance market," she said.
"I would like to highlight the fact that the IRDAI, the insurance regulator, has notified Insurance Regulatory Development Authority Rules for the rural social sector and motor third-party obligations in 2024, whereby gram panchayat level inclusion happens for insurance. So, the remotest areas will be covered by that."
"In that connection, I would like to inform you, sir, that 25,000 gram panchayats will be covered this time with the gram panchayat being at the focal centre and looking at coverage of insurance in and around the area," she added.
The Finance Minister said, "We want to extend insurance coverage to the poorest of the poor, so that the cashless system can be brought in."
Emphasising on PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, she said that it is aimed to ensuring that the poor people are covered under insurance schemes.
"That is why the government has been working through banks and various other agencies, approaching every individual to ensure coverage, where the government contributes its own component of the insurance premium and extends coverage."
