Parliament news : Clarification on Family Planning Allowance to Central Government employees

This information was given by MINISTER OF STATE FOR HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE SHRI SUDIP BANDYOPADHYAY in written reply to a question raised (Shri S.SEMMALAI – 790) in Lok Sabha on 25.11.2011 regarding the FAMILY PLANNING ALLOWANCE to Central Government employees.

Age limit is prescribed for eligibility to receive the Family Planning Allowance..?

In the case of a male Central Government employee he should not be over 50 years and his wife should be between 20 to 45 years of age. In the case of a female government employee she must not be above 45 years and his husband must not be over 50 years of age.

FAMILY PLANNING ALLOWANCE FOR STERILISATION

Question :-

(a) whether Central Government Employees undergoing sterilization operation are paid family planning allowances;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether any age limit is prescribed for eligibility to receive the allowance;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether the cases of fraudulent sterilization of unwilling persons and swindling of incentives money have come to light;

(f) if so, the details thereof;

(g) whether any enquiry has been initiated by the Government; and

(h) if so, the action taken against those found guilty?

Identity Card to Every Adult Resident of the Country under NPR; No Card being issued by UIDAI

The Home Ministry has a proposal to issue every adult resident in the country an identity card. The Government has decided to create a National Population Register (NPR) by collecting information on specific characteristics of all usual residents in the country. The NPR would also have photographs, 10 finger prints and 2 IRIS prints of all usual residents who are of age 5 years and above. As per the approved procedure, NPR database would be sent to Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) for de-duplication and generation of Aadhaar Number. Financial proposals for issuance of Resident Identity (smart) Card (RIC) under the NPR are under the consideration of Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC). The scheme has not yet been approved. The mandate of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is to issue Unique Identity Numbers (Aadhaar) to all residents of the country and not a Card. The UIDAI is generating Aadhaar numbers and communicating it to the residents through a letter. UIDAI has informed Government that UIDAI is not issuing any card. However, it is learnt that the National Payment Corporation of India has tied up with the UIDAI for issue of ‘RuPay cards (Dhan Aadhaar cards) which serves as ATM/micro-ATM cards and about 250 such cards have been issued by Bank of India. This was stated by Shri Jitendra Singh, Minister of State of Home Affairs in written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.

December 02, 2011: The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA), the regulator in the insurance sector had constituted a Senior Citizens Committee in 2007. Based on the recommendations of the Committee, the IRDA had instructed insurers in April, 2007 to allow entry in health insurance policy at least till 65 years of age. In August 2008, IRDA mandated establishment of a separate channel to address health insurance related grievances of senior citizens. Further, vide instructions issued in March, 2009, IRDA instructed that apart from the entry age of 65 years, the denial of health insurance to senior citizens on any grounds should be in writing with reasons furnished and recorded and the premium charged to senior citizens should be fair, justified and transparent and duly disclosed upfront. As the most recent initiative, IRDA, while approving health insurance products, advises all general insurers to ensure that there is no exit age in the policy which ensures that no one is denied health insurance merely on grounds of age.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Finance, Shri Namo Narain Meena in written reply to an Unstarred Question in Lok Sabha today.