Insurance scheme for road accidents to get approval in 15 days: Health minister

Nagpur: State heath minister Tanaji Sawant on Monday told the legislative council that the Balasaheb Thackeray Raste Apghat Vima Yojna (road accident insurance scheme) will be approved by the cabinet within 15 days.

Opposition benches questioned the government over the delay in implementing the scheme which would provide a cover up to `30,000 even if the resident is from another state.

Registration of path labs under scanner

In a written reply to the legislative council on Monday, state health minister Tanaji Sawant said that currently there is no law in Maharashtra to oversee registration of medical laboratories. The opposition had raised the issue about questionable practices by pathology labs. The written question even said that the Maharashtra Association of Practicing Pathologist and Microbiologist Association had cited the issue of illegal laboratories.

Employment issue of Asha workers

Opposition benches in the council raised the issue of bringing Asha workers on same employment terms as government employees. In a written reply to the legislative council on Monday, health minister Tanaji Sawant said that various categories of Asha workers are hired on contracts of 11 months and some as per the work and requirement.