Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Rosaiah formally launched special Aarogyasri health insurance scheme for Journalists by distributing ‘health cards’ to some senior journalists here on October 2nd 2009 (Gandhi Jayanthi Day), thus fulfill the assurance given by Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy to the Andhra Pradesh Union of Working Journalists (APUWJ). Who received the Arogyasri Cards from CM are included Mr. K Sreenivas Reddy, Mr. Dasu Kesava Rao, Mr. R. Ravikanth Reddy, Mr. Eswar Reddy, Mr. Tagore Varma, Mr. B. Kiran Kumar, Mr. Alahari Sreenivasacharyulu & Mr. Y. Narender Reddy.

The health card would enable the journalists and their families to undergo cashless treatment for 942 surgeries, treatments in network hospitals under funding from Chief Minister Relief Fund. Mr. Rosaiah said the government was committed to providing health and education for all as only an educated society would achieve tremendous progress. Similarly, health was of utmost importance in the development of human resources.

Minister for Arogyasri Pithani Satyanarayana said that following a request from Working Journalists Union, former Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy had issued a G.O. in January this year to extend ‘Journalist Arogyasri’ scheme to them in recognition of their service to the society. He said a special centre would be opened to correct the discrepancies if any in the cards so far issued. Minister for Information and Public Relations J. Geetha Reddy said, the government was already implementing health insurance  through mediclaim up to Rs.1 lakh for journalists. Corpus Fund of the journalists welfare fund was also increased from fifty lakhs to one crore rupees she said.

Mr.K.Sreenivas Reddy, Secretary-General, Indian Journalists union (IJU) urged the government to give  another opportunity to media persons to get their Irish photographs as  some journalists have not utilized the facility earlier.  He also requested the Chief Minister to take necessary steps for better coordination among the various departments concerned in implementing the scheme till  every eligible journalist get the  Arogyasri Card.

The Revenue Minister Mr. Dharmana Prasada Rao, the Chairman Press Academy of AP Mr. D.Amar, the Chief Secretary Mr.Ramakanth Reddy, Commissioner I&PR Mr. C. Parthasardhi, the principle secretary Medical &Health Department Mr. Satyanarayana, the CEO Arogyasri Trust Mr. Babu, the Director I&PR Mr.A. Subhash Gowd, the President APUWJ Mr. D. Somasundar, General Secretary APUWJ Mr. Y. Narender Reddy, the Vice President APUWJ Mr. Ailu Ramesh, the Secretary HUJ Mr. V. Yadagiri, and Members, State Executive of APUWJ Mr. Faiz Mohd. Asgher, Mr. Matcha Ramalinga Reddy participated in the programme.