According to the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, if a deduction is made from the salary of a Central government employee every month, towards contribution to the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), then it is compulsory for the employee to be issued a CGHS card. This card will have to be given to the employee irrespective of whether the said employee has applied for the scheme or not.
This is good news for the thousands of employees who have yet to receive the card because now the departments they work for will be accountable and responsible to ensure that they receive the card and the associated benefits.
A memorandum has been issued to this effect by the Health Ministry to all government departments and ministries to ensure all employees getting salary deducted for CGHS contribution are issued a card so that they can avail of the CGHS facilities.
The Scheme is a mandatory one and the deduction from salary towards the same is automatic. Therefore, employees need not apply separately for a card. It will be automatically issued to them. The absence of such an application should not keep the employees unfairly deprived of the CGHS facilities.
The mission of CGHS is to offer preventive, promotive and curative health and wellness services that are responsive, accountable and cost effective, providing financial risk protection and ensuring healthy lives.
