Hyderabad, March 26 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Telangana, A. Revanth Reddy, emphasized on Thursday that healthcare and education are the foremost priorities for his administration.

During his address responding to the Assembly's budget demands, the Chief Minister assured that there would be no reductions in the financial allocations for education and healthcare sectors. He stated that if required, additional funds would be made available.

He pointed out that the previous government allowed arrears under the Rajiv Aarogyasri scheme to accumulate, while his administration has increased the coverage limit from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh despite inheriting a debt of Rs 627 crore in outstanding dues.

Since taking office on December 7, 2023, the government has disbursed a total of Rs 2,408 crore towards the Aarogyasri scheme, including Rs 927 crore to government hospitals and Rs 1,480 crore to private hospitals.

The Chief Minister explained that payments are being processed on time, with only the previous government’s dues still pending, which total Rs 727 crore.

CM Revanth Reddy dismissed rumors that private hospitals are closing due to unpaid Aarogyasri dues, asserting that the outstanding payments to private facilities are minimal.

He also mentioned past irregularities in the Chief Minister's Relief Fund, where misuse was identified, leading to legal repercussions. Since assuming office, the government has implemented an online application system for the CM Relief Fund, effectively eliminating opportunities for misconduct.

To date, Rs 2,046 crore has been distributed through the Chief Minister's Relief Fund, with an allocation of Rs 4,500 crore dedicated to medical treatment for the underprivileged.

While there are 35 medical colleges in the state, patient visits to these teaching hospitals are currently low, compounded by a shortage of qualified doctors. The government is now considering a proposal to refer Aarogyasri beneficiaries to these hospitals and will allocate additional resources from the CM Relief Fund for their enhancement.

Furthermore, the administration plans to assign a Group-I officer to oversee these hospitals.

Based on census data from the caste enumeration, the government is set to extend the 'Indiramma Jeevitha Bima' (Life Insurance) scheme to 1.15 crore families, aiming to provide security and peace of mind.

With many doctors from Telangana practicing abroad, the government intends to develop a platform enabling them to offer their services in local hospitals during their visits.

The ongoing transformation of TIMS hospitals in Alwal, LB Nagar, and Sanath Nagar into specialized facilities is underway, alongside the construction of a new 30-acre building for Osmania Hospital in Goshamahal, costing Rs 3,000 crore.

Lastly, the Chief Minister stated that reforms are on the horizon to enhance the quality of education, recognizing that while education is accessible, achieving high standards remains a challenge.