Date:17/01/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/01/17/stories/2008011756340300.htm

Karnataka - Mysore

Only 38 per cent of target met under Yashaswini scheme

Staff Correspondent

Target for this year is three lakh members of cooperatives

— PHOTO: M.A. SRIRAM

Launch: Additional Registrar of Cooperative Societies Basave Gowda inaugurating the workshop in Mysore on Wednesday.

MYSORE: The authorities have set a target to enrol three lakh members of cooperatives under the Yashaswini Health Insurance Scheme in the district for this year.

Though a similar target was fixed for 2007-08, only 38 per cent of it was achieved.

Since members of self-help groups (SHGs), including Stree Shakthi Sanghas are eligible under the scheme from this year, officials of the Department of Cooperation are optimistic about achieving the target by March-end. Cooperative institutions such as the Mysore-Chamarajnagar District Cooperative (MDCC) Bank have been given the responsibility of meeting the target by launching a membership drive.

A workshop was organised here on Wednesday to sensitise employees of these institutions on their role in making cooperatives and farmers aware of the benefits of the scheme.

The guidelines for the year 2008-09 were discussed at the workshop.

MDCC president C. Basave Gowda said the target of enrolling three lakh members under the scheme in 2007-08 could not be achieved owing to lack of awareness about the scheme. He said that 1.08 lakh members had been enrolled and Rs. 1.29 crore was collected as fees from them.

“With the members of SHGs being allowed to register under the scheme, we can exceed the target for 2008-09,” he said. According to officials, a discount of 15 per cent in membership fee will be given to those who register under a family package (for more than five persons). The minimum number of persons for enrolment under the family package has been increased from three to five. The membership fee is Rs. 120.

Even members of SHGs operating in Mysore can opt for the scheme, they added.

The membership drive commenced on January 1 and will conclude on March 31.

Additional Registrar of Cooperative Societies Basave Gowda inaugurated the workshop. Joint Director Himavanth Gopal, Deputy Registrar Praskash Rao, MDCC Bank managing director Mahendra were present.