EHS on track, salary cut draws fire

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

The Telangana government is set to roll out the Employees Health Scheme (EHS) aimed at providing comprehensive health security to government employees, pensioners and their dependent family members. An official announcement regarding the scheme and its commencement is expected on June 1.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy is scheduled to hold a key review meeting on Monday with officials and stakeholders to discuss the implementation framework of the scheme. The programme will be administered through the Employees Health Care Trust, which will oversee its execution and monitoring.

According to official sources, the Trust will comprise six representatives from employee unions and two representatives from pensioners' associations. A serving state government employee will be appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Trust. The government is likely to announce the composition of the committee shortly.

Preparatory work for implementation has already begun. The Finance Department has directed all government departments to furnish details of employees, pensioners and their family members. Departments were instructed to upload the required data by May 31. Based on the information collected, the government plans to issue digital health cards and facilitate cashless treatment services through empanelled hospitals.

TS UTF opposes Salary Deductions

Meanwhile, the Telangana State United Teachers Federation (TS UTF) has strongly objected to the deduction of 1.5 per cent from employees' May salaries towards EHS contributions even before the scheme's operational guidelines have been finalized.

The federation pointed out that no formal government order has been issued regarding the contribution, hospital agreements have not been completed, treatment package rates are yet to be finalized and digital health cards have not been distributed. It also raised concerns over the collection of family details and alleged inconsistencies in the deduction process.

TS UTF State President Chava Ravi and General Secretary A. Venkat demanded that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and the Finance Minister intervene immediately and suspend the deductions until all aspects of the scheme are finalized and communicated transparently.