Member of Parliament Bishnu Pada Ray has written to the Prime Minister, the Union Home Minister, and the Union Health Minister seeking their immediate intervention to extend the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) benefits to pensioners of the Andaman & Nicobar Administration. Despite the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare’s directive issued nearly two years ago, the scheme’s implementation in the Islands remains pending.
The Ministry’s Office Memorandum dated 13 November 2023 had instructed all Union Territories to extend CGHS facilities to their pensioners on par with Central Government retirees. However, according to the MP, neither the Union Territory Administration nor the CGHS Division has taken concrete steps to begin enrolment, registration, or the issuance of CGHS cards. The establishment of a local CGHS Wellness Centre has also seen no progress.
In his letter, Bishnu Pada Ray highlighted the growing challenges faced by retired employees, many of whom are senior citizens struggling with limited access to advanced healthcare facilities within the Islands. The delay, he noted, has deprived them of the medical benefits they are entitled to, particularly when they travel to mainland India for treatment, where CGHS coverage is widely available.
The MP also referred to a representation submitted by the Government Pensioners’ Association, A&N Islands, on 17 February 2025, which has seen no follow-up action beyond forwarding. He urged the Centre to ensure prompt implementation of the scheme, which includes the enrolment and registration of eligible pensioners, timely issuance of CGHS cards, and the establishment of a functional CGHS Wellness Centre or dispensary in the Islands.
The Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) is a comprehensive healthcare program run by the Government of India for serving and retired Central Government employees and their dependents. It provides access to a wide network of empanelled hospitals, diagnostic centres, and wellness facilities across the country. Beneficiaries receive cashless medical treatment, including consultations, hospitalization, specialist care, and diagnostic tests at prescribed rates.
While the scheme is operational in major Indian cities, extending its coverage to Union Territories like the Andaman & Nicobar Islands would ensure that retired government employees here enjoy equal healthcare benefits and access to quality medical care.
Bishnu Pada Ray emphasized that the early operationalisation of CGHS in the Islands would bring much-needed relief to elderly pensioners and strengthen the healthcare safety net for those who dedicated their careers to public service.
