Satheesan seeks state-specific premiums for Ayushman scheme, curbs on offshore mining

The Chief Minister of Kerala, V D Satheesan, emphasized the need for state-specific premiums and funding adjustments for the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana at the 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting in Mahabalipuram. He argued that the current uniform national premium for the scheme was inequitable, highlighting that Kerala had spent Rs 1,493 crore on the scheme in the past year, while only receiving about Rs 151 crore in assistance from the National Health Authority.

Satheesan also called for a hold on the auctioning of mineral blocks along Kerala's coast, citing environmental and social concerns for the state's fragile ecosystem and fishing communities. He stressed the need for a rigorous scientific assessment and robust Standard Operating Procedures before any offshore mining could take place.

The Chief Minister also urged for coastal protection works and family resettlement under the National and State Disaster Response and Mitigation Funds, as Kerala had classified coastal erosion as a state-specific disaster. Additionally, he brought attention to several inter-state infrastructure projects, particularly in the Railway sector, requesting cooperation from neighboring states.

Concerning the Mullaperiyar dam, Satheesan demanded the construction of a new dam, promising to allocate its entire water supply to Tamil Nadu, citing safety concerns for downstream districts in Kerala.