Healthy future

Jamshedpur, April 2: In a move that will benefit thousands, state handloom and handicraft corporation Jharcraft has decided to provide health insurance to women sericulturists working for it.

The corporation will provide health insurance cover for 50,000 women workers and their families (two children and spouse) and nine mobile medical vans.

While the insurance plan will cover medical expenses up to Rs 15,000 a year, the vans will tour the districts to address the health issues of workers. The initiative kicks off on April 15.

“We aim to promote women by issuing insurance cards in the woman’s name and not the name of a male member of the family. We are aiming to help 50,000 women and their families out of the total 65,000 employed by Jharcraft,” said Dhirendra Kumar, managing director, Jharcraft.

For the initiative, Jharcraft has tied up with ICICI Lombard, which is sponsoring the mobile vans and its medical facilities. The company will also provide the doctor. The van will comprise a well-equipped pathology lab with facilities like X-ray, ECG etc.

Though the corporation plans to implement the initiative in all the 15 districts where it has a presence, the project will start with nine districts including East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum, Seraikela-Kharsawan, Santhal Pargana and Pakur.

The cost of providing health insurance will be borne by Central Silk Board and Jharcraft on an 80:20 basis.

“We will soon decide a timetable for the vans. We will also have an official to monitor the details of the check-ups daily. I would also personally check the process on an everyday basis. However, in case of serious patients, we would refer them to the nearest hospital,” said Kumar, who plans to implement the health insurance scheme in phases.

Meanwhile, Jharcraft has bagged an order from Kerala-based exporter, Gokul Apparels, for supplying 30,000 metres of organic tussar silk. The first consignment of 2,000 metres was despatched last week.