Anil Swarup**,,
Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) was launched in the year 2008with the primary objective of providing health insurance cover to the poorest of the poor in the country. Till 30th September, 2012 the scheme has seen a distribution of more than 32.5 million smart cards providing health insurance cover to around 110 million `persons. The scheme is already being hailed both within & outside the country as unique in terms of transparent delivery of cashless & paperless health insurance cover. It has been picked up by UNDP/ILO as one of the top 18 schemes in the world for providing social protection.
The scheme has completed four years of implementation as on 31st March, 2012 with a modest beginning in 2 districts on 1st April 2008. It has now spread to more than 430 districts of 26 States/UTs. Data is available for 330 districts that have completed one full year. In 210 districts, the scheme has completed two years and in 50 districts three years.
When we look at the enrollment in such 50 districts that have completed three years, we discern a very interesting trend. The proportion of women in terms of enrollment has gone up from 40% to 48%.
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Information about Gender Impact
*Disclaimer: The views expressed by the author in this feature are entirely his own and do not necessarily reflect the views of INVC
