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Himachal implements Senior Citizen Health Insurance Scheme, will provide Rs. 30,000 additional cover
If there are two senior citizens in a family, then a cover of Rs.60, 000 would be available on a floater basis to both the senior citizens.
Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh Government has implemented the Senior Citizen Health Insurance Scheme (SCHIS) in the state with an aim to provide access to curative geriatric health care services by way of additional insurance cover.
The scheme will provide top-up coverage of Rs. 30,000 per senior citizen to all existing Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna smart card holders in addition to basic coverage of Rs.30, 000 in Trust/Society mode, informed a government spokesperson.
Any beneficiary who is 60-years-old or above and is currently enrolled in RSBY or will be enrolled in RSBY is eligible for these additional benefits.
If in any RSBY rolled family, there is more than one senior citizen, then the additional cover will be multiples of Rs.30, 000 per senior citizen that will be provided on a floater basis among the senior citizens of the RSBY enrolled family.
Therefore, if there are two senior citizens in a family, then a cover of Rs.60, 000 would be available on a floater basis to both the senior citizens.
Exclusively senior citizen of the family enrolled in RSBY will be able to take additional benefit.
The coverage will be provided through State Nodal Agency HP Swasthya Bima Yojna Society till the start of National Health Protection Scheme and through Insurance Company after starting of National Health Protection Scheme.
The senior citizens of the families that are eligible for RSBY but not rolled in this scheme will not receive the benefit of SCHIS.
This package will be over and above the annual package of Rs.30, 000 per family provided under RSBY.
The spokesperson said various packages have been offered under SCHIS. Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has prepared a separate list of surgical packages that cost more than Rs.30, 000.
It was done through a technical committee that included representatives from the Ministry, State governments, and technical experts by covering cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, cardiovascular surgery, neurosurgery, poly-trauma and repair, burns, surgical oncology and medical oncology.
These two additional covers will be compensated from existing top-up of RSBY critical care up to Rs.1.75 lakh (for cancer it is up to Rs. 2.25 lakh).
These two additional covers will be compensated from existing top-up of RSBY critical care up to Rs.1.75 lakh (for cancer it is up to Rs. 2.25 lakh).
Financing of the scheme will be done through insurance and trust models under Insurance Model. The estimated annual add-on premium for the implementation of SCHIS is up to Rs.500 per family. Under the Trust Model, Central and State government will share the insurance premium in the ratio of 90:10.
All such funds will be routed through a corpus-pooled bank account.
The unspent amounts will be refunded at the closing of the financial year.
There will be no separate enrolment process to provide benefits under SCHIS. The same smart card issued for RSBY will also be used for identification and verification to get benefit under SCHIS, said the spokesperson.
All the providers already empanelled under RSBY will be automatically empanelled for providing benefits under the SCHIS. The hospital will need to install necessary hardware and software conforming to the guidelines issued by the Central government for providing benefits under this scheme.
The trust/society will receive claims directly from the hospitals and will settle them based on the defined package rates. The central share would be paid in the same ratio as mentioned above with respect to total actual expenditure for claims payments. Expenses for IEC and other administrative expenses will be borne by the state government out of the RSBY administrative funds.
Expenses for IEC and other administrative expenses will be borne by the state government out of the RSBY administrative funds.
The state government will bear the expenses for IEC and other administrative works will be borne by the state government out of the RSBY administrative funds.
He said a beneficiary under SCHIS would be able to get cashless treatment in any of the RSBY empanelled hospitals as per the fixed norms and guidelines.
Photo: Iran-Daily
Solan—In a shocking incident on Monday, an 18-year-old youth, Pravesh, survived a vicious leopard attack in Sarli village of Arki subdivision. The teenager reportedly fought the leopard for nearly 12 minutes before breaking its jaw, killing the animal on the spot.
Quick Thinking Saved His Life
Pravesh told the media that he was walking from the fields to a nearby shop in the morning to fetch milk when the leopard, hidden in the crops, lunged at him. Noticing the leopard’s tail, he attempted to run but fell after a short distance. During the attack, he covered his neck with his hands to protect himself from fatal bites.
The teenager continued to struggle with the leopard, repeatedly attempting to put distance between himself and the predator. In a desperate move, he grabbed the leopard by its mouth, twisted its jaw, and broke it, killing the animal instantly. Pravesh sustained multiple injuries, including deep claw marks, and is currently receiving treatment at Arki Hospital. Police and forest department teams have launched an investigation into the incident.
Serious Allegations of HP Forest Department’s Negligence
One of Pravesh’s relatives accused the forest department of negligence, noting that similar attacks had occurred in the area previously.
Earlier, a leopard had attempted to attack a scooter rider, who managed to escape. The family said they had informed the forest department on March 6 about potential danger, but no concrete action was taken. Villagers waited for three hours for a forest team to arrive, but none came. When the Block Officer eventually visited, he reportedly told villagers to ensure their own safety. Requests for cages to capture the leopard were also denied, with officials asking for written complaints instead.
SHIMLA | 7 August 2025 –The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast light to moderate rainfall across Himachal Pradesh over the next two weeks, with isolated heavy to very heavy showers likely over the low hills, plains, and adjoining mid-hill regions. While the ongoing monsoon remains vital for agriculture, it also brings an elevated risk of localized flooding and landslides.
Week of August 8–14
Maximum temperatures will range from 22°C to 34°C, depending on elevation—22°C to 28°C in high hills, 26°C to 30°C in mid-hills, and up to 34°C in lower regions. Minimum temperatures are expected to remain near normal, between 12°C and 24°C. Cooler conditions may persist in districts like Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti.
Week of August 15–21
Similar rainfall patterns are expected to continue, with scattered heavy rain episodes. Temperature trends will remain stable, though slightly below-normal maximum temperatures are likely in parts of Lahaul-Spiti, Mandi, Kangra, and Kullu districts.
Outlook for Late August
Rainfall is expected to remain broadly normal, with region-specific variations. Districts such as Kinnaur, Shimla, and Sirmaur may see below-normal precipitation, while Una, Kangra, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, and Solan are likely to receive above-average rainfall. Both maximum and minimum temperatures are forecast to stay close to seasonal norms.
Officials at the Meteorological Centre in Shimla have urged residents and local authorities to remain alert for sudden heavy downpours, which could disrupt road connectivity and trigger landslides—especially along vulnerable hillside routes. Past monsoon episodes have blocked key highways, including routes between Mandi and Kullu and near Banjar, underscoring the ongoing challenges in the region.
This advisory comes as Himachal Pradesh continues to face the dual pressures of sustaining its agriculture-dependent economy while managing the life and infrastructure risks posed by an active monsoon. Continued vigilance and preparedness remain crucial.
SHIMLA | 7 August 2025 –Himachal Pradesh continues to deal with the impacts of the 2025 monsoon season, reporting extensive property damage, loss of lives, and widespread disruptions across the state. According to the official reports from the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC), the Department of Revenue, and the India Meteorological Department, from June 20 to August 6, 2025, heavy monsoon rains caused significant damage across multiple districts:
- Casualties: 199 deaths due to landslides, flash floods, cloudbursts, drowning, lightning, electrocution, and accidents; 304 injuries reported.
- Property Loss: Extensive damage to houses (both pucca and kaccha), shops, factories, labor sheds, animal shelters, and substantial crop losses in agriculture and horticulture.
- Public Infrastructure: Over ₹1,900 crore in damages to roads (including PWD), power supply, health, education, fisheries, rural and urban development, and animal husbandry.
Most affected districts include Mandi, Kangra, and Hamirpur, with severe crop and infrastructure losses.
Additionally, 91 deaths occurred due to monsoon-related road accidents.
Public Utilities and Infrastructure Disruptions
The SEOC report dated August 7, 2025, highlights ongoing disruptions:
- Roads Blocked: About 493 major roads and 3 national highways (NH-305, NH-21, NH-05) remain blocked by landslides and floods.
- Power Supply: Disruption of 1,120 distribution transformers (DTRs).
- Water Supply: 245 water schemes affected, threatening access to potable water for communities.
Key blockages include NH-21 between Mandi and Kullu and NH-305 near Banjar and Jhed.
Weather Forecast and Warnings
The India Meteorological Department’s forecast valid from August 7, 2025, includes:
- Isolated heavy rainfall expected throughout the week.
- Thunderstorms and lightning predicted in isolated areas.
- Minimum temperatures near normal or slightly below.
- Maximum temperatures showing a moderate increase.
The public is urged to remain vigilant due to the risks of further landslides and flash floods.
Himachal Pradesh remains vulnerable as the monsoon season continues, with thousands affected by damage, displacement, and disruption of essential services. Authorities are continuing with rescue and recovery operations and are urging residents to stay alert to the ongoing adverse weather. This situation highlights the pressing need for enhanced infrastructure and disaster management strategies to mitigate monsoon-related risks.
Himachal’s LPG Supply Hit Amid Global Tensions, Likely to Affect Hospitality Industry
Himachal Teen Survives 12-Minute Leopard Attack, Kills Predator in Self-Defense
Weather Forecast for Himachal Pradesh For the Next Two Weeks
Monsoon 2025: Himachal Pradesh Suffers 199 Casualties, Over ₹1,905.50 Cr in Damages
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