In a landmark decision, the Uttar Pradesh government has rolled out cashless medical treatment for nearly 15 lakh teachers and education staff across the state. Announced during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, this initiative extends coverage to both government and private hospitals empaneled under recognized health schemes.
The move fulfills a promise made by the Chief Minister on Teachers’ Day last year, now formally approved by the cabinet. It benefits teachers, non-teaching staff, and their dependents from basic and secondary education departments, including aided and self-financed schools. The annual cost is estimated at around 448 crore rupees, providing much-needed relief to the education workforce.
Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna briefed the media on the cabinet’s approval of 30 out of 32 proposals. For secondary education, over 2.97 lakh individuals will gain access to inpatient (IPD) cashless services, with an outlay of 89.25 crore rupees, as stated by Secondary Education Minister Gulab Devi.
Basic Education Minister Sandeep Singh highlighted that 11.95 lakh teachers, shiksha mitrs, special educators, and support staff from basic schools will benefit, at a premium of about 3,000 rupees per person annually, totaling 358.61 crore rupees. Treatment rates align with PM Ayushman Bharat and National Health Authority standards.
Coverage includes vocational trainers, Sanskrit school staff, Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya wardens, and even cooks under the PM Poshan scheme. Self-financed school employees require verification by district-level committees led by school inspectors. Those already under central or state health schemes like Ayushman Bharat or CM Jan Arogya will be excluded to avoid overlap.
This policy underscores the Yogi government’s commitment to educator welfare, ensuring quality healthcare access without financial burden, potentially setting a precedent for other sectors.