The Gopabandhu Sambadika Swasthya Bima Yojana is a health insurance initiative launched by the Information & Public Relations Department, Government of Odisha. Designed specifically for working journalists in Odisha, the scheme covers medical expenses for both indoor and outdoor treatments and extends benefits to eligible family members, ensuring that media professionals receive comprehensive health care support.
Benefits
- Death Benefit: ₹4,00,000 is provided to the legal heir in case of the journalist’s death.
- Permanent Incapacitation Benefit: ₹2,00,000 is granted if the journalist suffers permanent incapacitation.
- Comprehensive Coverage: Includes both indoor and outdoor treatments for working journalists and their eligible family members.
- Financial Security: Provides much-needed financial support during critical times, ensuring the wellbeing of media professionals.
Eligibility
- Primary Requirement: The applicant must be a working journalist.
- Location: The applicant should be an Odisha-based journalist, either working in Odisha or in New Delhi for an Odisha-based newspaper.
- Media House Registration: The journalist must be employed by a media house registered with the I&PR Department, Odisha, New Delhi.
- Additional Eligibility: Newspaper hawkers are also eligible to apply for this scheme.
Application Process
Online Application Steps
- Visit the Official Portal: Go to Odisha Working Journalist Welfare Scheme Application.
- Start Application: Click on ‘Apply for Gopabandhu Sambadika Swasthya Bima Yojana’ located at the bottom-left corner of the homepage.
- Fill Application Form: Complete the application by filling in sections such as Applicant Details, Education Details, Dependent Family Details, and Present Workplace along with the relevant document information.
- Submit Form: Once the form is submitted successfully, an application number will be generated for future reference.
- Receive Confirmation: An SMS confirming the successful submission will be sent to the registered mobile number.
- Login: Use the registered mobile number to log in. You will receive an OTP on your mobile; entering the OTP allows access to view the application status.
Documents Required
For Odisha-Based Journalists
- Proof of Identity: Birth Certificate, Matric Certificate, Voter Card, PAN Card, Passport, or Driving License.
- Aadhaar Card
- Photograph
- Accreditation Certificate: Required for freelance journalists.
- Photocopy of Dependent Family Member’s Document
- Appointment Letter
- Employee Identity Card
For Odisha-Based Journalists Working in New Delhi
- Photograph
- Proof of Identity: Birth Certificate, Matric Certificate, Voter Card, PAN Card, Passport, or Driving License.
- Aadhaar Card
- Editor Recommendation Letter
- Delhi Address Proof
- Accreditation Certificate: For freelance journalists.
- Photocopy of Dependent Family Member’s Document
- Appointment Letter
- Employee Identity Card
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is “Gopabandhu Sambadika Swasthya Bima Yojana”?
A1: It is a health insurance scheme introduced by the Government of Odisha to cover medical expenses for working journalists and their eligible family members.
Q2: Who is covered under this health insurance scheme?
A2: All working journalists in Odisha, including those based in Odisha and New Delhi (for Odisha-based newspapers), as well as newspaper hawkers, are covered.
Q3: What is the extent of insurance coverage provided by the scheme?
A3: The scheme provides a death benefit of ₹4,00,000 and a permanent incapacitation benefit of ₹2,00,000, along with coverage for medical treatments.
Q4: Who is eligible to apply for the scheme?
A4: Eligible applicants include Odisha-based working journalists and newspaper hawkers employed by a media house registered with the I&PR Department, Odisha, New Delhi.
Q5: What are the location requirements for eligibility?
A5: The applicant must be an Odisha-based journalist, either working in Odisha or in New Delhi for an Odisha-based newspaper.
Q6: Is there a specific registration requirement for the media house?
A6: Yes, the journalist must be employed by a media house that is registered with the I&PR Department, Odisha, New Delhi.
Q7: How do I apply under the scheme?
A7: Applications are submitted online via the official portal, where the journalist fills in the required details, uploads supporting documents, and receives an application number upon successful submission.