Source: PIB
Subject: Government Scheme
Context: The Union Minister for Home and Cooperation, provided an update in the Rajya Sabha regarding the implementation and funding framework of the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme.
About Ayushman Sahakar Scheme:
What it is?
- Ayushman Sahakar is a dedicated scheme of the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) to provide financial assistance to cooperative societies for establishing and expanding healthcare infrastructure across India.
Launched in:
- 2020 (Notified by NCDC in alignment with National Health Policy 2017)
Ministry:
- Implemented by NCDC
- Under the administrative control of the Ministry of Cooperation
Aim:
- To promote affordable, holistic, and community-owned healthcare through cooperative societies.
- To strengthen AYUSH and digital health participation in line with India’s public health objectives.
Key Features:
- Eligible Institutions: Any Cooperative Society registered under State or Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act with healthcare provisions in its bye-laws is eligible.
- Comprehensive Coverage: Supports infrastructure, modernization, AYUSH services, digital health, telemedicine, insurance, and working capital for diverse healthcare facilities.
- Flexible Financial Assistance: Provides term/investment loans up to 8 years (with 1–2 year moratorium) based on actual project requirements.
- Women Incentive: Offers 1% interest rebate to women-majority cooperatives, subject to timely repayment compliance.
- Structured Funding & Security: Funding through State or direct NCDC route (up to 90% loan) with defined collateral/guarantee mechanisms.
Significance:
- Strengthens Cooperative Federalism: Promotes decentralized healthcare delivery through grassroots cooperative institutions.
- Community Ownership in Health: Encourages participatory governance and accountability in service delivery.
- Boost to AYUSH Sector: Enhances infrastructure for traditional systems of medicine, aligning with India’s integrative healthcare model.
