Revanth Reddy, Telangana leaders meet Kharge in Hyderabad amid political buzz
Synopsis
Telangana CM Revanth Reddy's one-and-a-half-hour meeting with AICC chief Kharge — officially a 'courtesy call' — comes as the state government prepares to formally launch a ₹1,056 crore Employees' Health Scheme covering 17.07 lakh beneficiaries, with the Trust's composition set to be announced Monday.
Key Takeaways
CM Revanth Reddy , Deputy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka , and Congress state president Mahesh Goud met AICC chief Mallikarjun Kharge in Hyderabad on 31 May .
The meeting at Novotel Hotel, Shamshabad lasted approximately one and a half hours ; the CMO called it a courtesy call.
Revanth Reddy will chair a review of the Employees' Health Scheme on Monday ; Trust composition likely to be announced the same day.
The scheme covers 3.56 lakh employees , 2.88 lakh pensioners , and dependents — totalling 17.07 lakh beneficiaries .
Annual Trust outlay is ₹1,056 crore , split equally between employees and the state government.
Cashless treatment will be available at all government hospitals and 652 empanelled private hospitals for 1,998 procedures .
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, and state Indian National Congress (INC) president Mahesh Goud on Sunday, 31 May called on All India Congress Committee (AICC) President Mallikarjun Kharge at the Novotel Hotel near Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Shamshabad, Hyderabad. The Chief Minister's Office (CMO) described the meeting as a courtesy call, though party sources indicated it lasted approximately one and a half hours.
Key Details of the Meeting
AICC In-charge for Telangana Meenakshi Natarajan was also present during the discussions. Kharge had made a brief stopover in Hyderabad while travelling from New Delhi to Gulbarga in Karnataka. According to party sources, current political developments in Telangana and ongoing government programmes were reportedly among the topics discussed. The CMO, however, maintained the official position that it was a routine courtesy visit.
Employees' Health Scheme Review on the Agenda
Separately, the CMO announced that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy will chair a review meeting on Monday with senior officials to assess the rollout of the Employees' Health Scheme — a flagship welfare initiative designed to provide health security for state government employees and pensioners in Telangana. The scheme will be administered through an Employee Health Care Trust comprising eight members: six from employee associations and two from pensioners' associations. A state government employee will serve as the Trust's CEO, with the committee's formation expected to be announced on Monday.
Scheme Coverage and Financial Structure
The State Cabinet had approved the Employees' Health Scheme on 23 February, covering 3.56 lakh employees, 2.88 lakh pensioners, and their dependent family members — a combined beneficiary base of 17.07 lakh individuals. Treatment will be fully cashless across all government hospitals and 652 empanelled private hospitals, covering 1,998 medical procedures. Employees will contribute 1.5 per cent of their basic pay, matched by an equal government contribution. The Trust carries an annual outlay of ₹1,056 crore — ₹528 crore each from employees and the government.
Data Collection and Digital Health Cards
The Finance Department has already issued a circular to all state government departments directing them to collect details of employees, pensioners, and their family members, with a data upload deadline of 31 May. Based on this data, the government plans to issue digital health cards and roll out cashless medical treatment services. The process marks the operational groundwork for one of Telangana's most significant employee welfare commitments since the state's formation. All eyes now turn to Monday's review meeting for the formal announcement of the Trust's composition and implementation timelines.
Point of View
Coinciding with the imminent launch of the Employees' Health Scheme, suggests the Centre-state Congress alignment on flagship welfare delivery is being actively managed. The ₹1,056 crore health scheme is substantive in scale, but its credibility will hinge on whether the Employee Health Care Trust functions independently or becomes another bureaucratic layer. With data collection deadlines set and digital health cards promised, the government has drawn a clear accountability line for itself — one that opposition parties will be watching closely.
NationPress
16 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did CM Revanth Reddy meet AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge?
The meeting on 31 May at Novotel Hotel, Shamshabad was officially described as a courtesy call by the CMO. Party sources said current political developments in Telangana and government programmes were reportedly discussed during the approximately one-and-a-half-hour meeting.
What is the Telangana Employees' Health Scheme?
It is a state government health initiative approved by the Telangana Cabinet on 23 February, covering 3.56 lakh employees, 2.88 lakh pensioners, and their dependents — a total of 17.07 lakh beneficiaries. It provides fully cashless treatment across government hospitals and 652 empanelled private hospitals for 1,998 medical procedures.
How will the Employees' Health Scheme be funded?
The scheme will be funded through the Employee Health Care Trust with an annual outlay of ₹1,056 crore. Employees contribute 1.5 per cent of their basic pay, matched equally by the state government — ₹528 crore each.
When will the Employees' Health Scheme Trust be formed?
The formation of the eight-member Employee Health Care Trust — comprising six employee association representatives and two from pensioners' associations — is expected to be announced on Monday following the CM's review meeting.
What is the deadline for employee data collection under the scheme?
The Finance Department issued a circular to all state government departments requiring employee, pensioner, and family member details to be uploaded by 31 May 2025. This data will be used to issue digital health cards and enable cashless medical services.
