Odisha Gopabandhu Sambadika Swasthya Bima Yojana

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

• The Gopabandhu Sambadika Swasthya Bima Yojana is an initiative started by the Odisha government.
• The scheme aims to extend benefits of health insurance to Odisha based journalists who are working around the clock.
• Government frequently releases schemes for everyone but they often overlook media professionals, which are referred to as "fourth pillar of Indian democracy".
• These journalists are working tirelessly all day and night to bring news to the public.
• During this, they often met with accidents that sometimes cost their lives.
• To address these issues and seek the importance of these journalists in the media, the government introduced this scheme.
• The Gopabandhu Sambadika Swasthya Bima Yojana provides health insurance coverage of Rs 5 lakh not only to journalist but also their dependents.
• Applicants and their dependent family members will receive a cashless treatment of Rs 5 lakh under the empanelled hospitals.
• The announced scheme is also known as 'Odisha Working Journalist Welfare Scheme' or 'Gopabandhu Sambadika Swasthya Bima Scheme' or 'Gopabandhu Sambadika Bima Yojana'.
• Under this scheme, the eligible journalist will receive health insurance benefits and in the event of death during duty, their dependent family member or next of kin will receive an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh.
• In cases of permanent incapacitation or disability, the journalist will receive an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh.
• Gopabandhu Sambadika Swasthya Bima benefits Odisha based journalists and their family members.
• The scheme benefits will be provided to those journalists who are working for an Odisha based news paper, either in Odisha or in New Delhi.
• The scheme coverage will be provided to family members, including spouse and up to three children under the age of 25 years.
• It is mandatory that Journalist media is registered with the Information and Public Relations department of Odisha.
• Eligible journalists can register for the Gopabandhu Sambadika Swasthya Bima online from its official website.
• For further information about the scheme, applicants can visit its official portal.

Scheme Benefits

• Gopabandhu Sambadika Swasthya Bima Yojana promises following benefits to its eligible beneficiaries : -
  • Health Insurance facilities of Rs 5 lakh to working journalists and their families including spouse and up to 3 children's.
  • Ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh will be provided in case of Journalist death.
  • Ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh will be provided in case of permanent disability.

Eligibility Requirement

• Benefits of Gopabandhu Sambadika Swasthya Bima Yojana will be provided to those who meet the following eligibility criteria : -
  • Only working journalists of Odisha are eligible.
  • Journalists must be permanent residents of Odisha.
  • Journalist must be working either in Odisha or in New Delhi for Odisha based newspapers.
  • The Journalist media house must be registered with Information and public relations department of Odisha.

Required Documents

• Applicants must produce their following documents when applying for the scheme. The list of documents may vary for journalists working in Odisha or in New Delhi.

  Odisha Based Journalist	Odisha Based Journalist working in New Delhi
  Birth Certificate. Matric Certificate. Voter Card. PAN Card. Aadhaar Card. Passport Size Photograph. Accreditation letter issued to freelance journalists. Appointment letter. Identity card issued by the media house. Dependent family member photocopy.	Journalist photograph. Birth Certificate. Matric Certificate. Voter Card. PAN Card. Aadhaar Card. Delhi Address Proof. Accreditation letter issued to freelance journalists. Recommendation letter issued by the Editor. Employee Identity card. Appointment letter. Dependent family member photo copy.

Steps to Apply

• Applicants can apply for the Gopabandhu Sambadika Swasthya Bima Yojana online.
• Online Application form for Gopabandhu Sambadika Swasthya Bima Yojana is available at scheme official portal.
• On the home page, click on the 'Apply for Gopabandhu Sambadika Swasthya Bima Yojana'.
• The application form for Gopabandhu Sambadika Swasthya Bima Yojana appears on the next page.
• Applicants need to provide some of their key details like : -
  • Personal Details.
  • Academic Qualification.
  • Dependent member information, and
  • Workplace details.
• Upload the relevant documents in the given space.
• Now submit this duly filled in application form.
• Upon successful submission applicants will receive a reference number.
• A confirmation SMS will also be sent to the mobile number provided in the application form.
• Applicants can check their application status with the provided reference number.

Relevant Links

• Gopabandhu Sambadika Swasthya Bima Yojana Registration Link.
• Gopabandhu Sambadika Swasthya Bima Yojana Financial Assistance Link.
• Odisha Information and Public Relations Department Official Website.

Contact Information

• Odisha Information and Public Relations Department Helpline Number : - 8480822035
• Odisha Information and Public Relations Department Email Helpdesk : - help.iprodisha@gmail.com
• Information & Public Relations Department,
  Government of Odisha.