Bhubaneswar, (Orissa Today), Aug 3: In the 2024-25 annual budget, the Odisha government announced the rebranding of the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) to Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY).
However, the lack of a specific start date for the new scheme has led to confusion among beneficiaries.
To address these concerns, Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling clarified that the existing BSKY card will remain valid. Beneficiaries will continue to access services at both government and private hospitals under the current scheme.
Mahaling explained that the process for issuing new GJAY cards will begin after the Assembly passes the budget appropriation bill in September. He assured that all beneficiaries would receive their GJAY cards following the final passage of the bill, and the implementation of GJAY will occur in phases.
The state government has allocated Rs 5,450 crore in the budget for the GJAY, which will replace the BSKY scheme introduced by the previous BJD administration.
