Varanasi: Chief minister Yogi Adityanath will launch two major welfare initiatives for students and teachers during his proposed visit to Varanasi on July 8. The CM will roll out Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for around 1.1 crore students enrolled in council schools across the state and launch the Chief Minister Teacher Cashless Medical Scheme, which will provide cashless medical treatment up to Rs 5 lakh to eligible teachers and education staff.Under the DBT scheme, the state govt will transfer Rs 1,200 directly into the bank accounts of the guardians of about 1.1 crore students, including 1,54,634 students from Varanasi, to help them purchase uniforms, school bags, shoes, socks, sweaters and stationery. Earlier, on April 4, the CM had launched the statewide School Chalo Abhiyan from Varanasi.Chief development officer (CDO) Prakhar Kumar Singh said the CM will transfer the funds through DBT from Varanasi. Under the scheme, Rs 1,200 will be credited to the bank account of each student’s guardian.With funds being transferred directly to guardians, children will be able to purchase school materials according to their needs and sizes, ensuring they are better prepared to attend school on time.Basic Education Officer Bhupendra Singh said the government’s objective is to ensure that no child is deprived of education due to a lack of resources and that every student reaches school with confidence. Under the scheme, guardians will be able to purchase two sets of uniforms, a school bag, shoes, socks, a sweater and stationery (notebooks, books and other educational materials) according to the child’s needs.The DBT system has made the entire process transparent and accountable. With financial assistance being transferred directly into the bank accounts of guardians, the role of middlemen has been eliminated, ensuring that funds reach beneficiaries in a time-bound manner. The Basic Education Department has intensified preparations for the programme proposed at the TFC, with officials giving final shape to the arrangements.The Chief Minister will also launch the Chief Minister Teacher Cashless Medical Scheme from Kashi. Modelled on the Ayushman Bharat scheme, it will provide cashless medical treatment of up to Rs 5 lakh to 12,407 eligible teachers, Shikshamitras, Anudeshaks, and teaching and non-teaching staff from 1,145 Basic and Secondary Education Department schools in Varanasi.The scheme aims to free teachers and education personnel from financial worries during the treatment of serious illnesses by providing access to quality healthcare. The government believes this will allow teachers to focus on shaping students’ futures without concerns over medical expenses.The CDO said all 12,407 eligible teachers, Shikshamitras, Anudeshaks and other education personnel in Varanasi district will receive the benefits of the scheme. Eligible employees of 1,145 schools will also be issued the Chief Minister Teacher Cashless Medical Card.BoxCM to review devpt projects todayCM Yogi Adityanath will arrive in Varanasi on a two-day visit on Tuesday afternoon. After his helicopter lands at the Police Lines helipad at around 4 pm, he will proceed to the Circuit House. He will then chair a review meeting on the progress of ongoing development projects and the law and order situation. Later, the CM will offer prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath and Kaal Bhairav temples. In the evening, he will attend the wedding reception of Uttar Pradesh minister Dayashankar Mishra ‘Dayalu’s’ son at a hotel.On Wednesday morning, he will visit the auditorium of the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Trade Facilitation Centre (TFC) to launch the Chief Minister Teacher Cashless Medical Scheme. He will leave the city after the programme.
