Maharashtra’s health insurance scheme to Marathi-speakers in Belgavi

In a move sparking controversy, the Maharashtra government has established five common service centres in the border district of Belagavi, Karnataka, specifically aimed at enrolling Marathi-speaking residents for its Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Health Scheme. The scheme, originally designed for Maharashtrians, now extends its benefits to Marathi speakers in the border region, offering cashless treatment and post-treatment reimbursement to hospitals.

As per a circular issued by the Maharashtra Chief Minister’s office on January 4, 2024, the health scheme is now applicable to Marathi speakers residing in the border areas of Karnataka. This inclusion allows Marathi-speaking residents in Karnataka to avail financial assistance for healthcare. Seva Pratinidhis have been appointed by the Maharashtra government to facilitate the enrolment process in Belagavi district.

One of the scheme’s debated provisions is its exclusivity to Marathi speakers, raising concerns among critics. Additionally, the application process requires validation from the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES), a local political party advocating for the merger of Marathi-speaking areas in Karnataka with Maharashtra. MES leader Vikas Kalaghatagi hails the scheme as a “large-hearted gift” to Marathi speakers in Karnataka.

However, Kannada activists strongly oppose the initiative, arguing against the politicization of language in healthcare access. Ashok Chandaragi, convener of Kannada organizations in Belagavi, questions the discriminatory aspect of the scheme based on linguistic identity, emphasizing the need for equal treatment regardless of language.

Critics suspect that the scheme might be exploited to gather data for Maharashtra’s legal case against Karnataka in the Supreme Court. Chandaragi accuses the Karnataka government of not addressing the issue seriously and emphasizes the potential damage to linguistic harmony between the two states.

The background of the controversy dates back to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s announcement of the scheme in March 2023, aiming to provide coverage to Marathi-speaking residents in specified districts. The scheme, implemented in Maharashtra in April, faced opposition from then-Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, who deemed it against federalism principles and potentially damaging to linguistic harmony. The issue has yet to be resolved, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah urging neighboring states to refrain from raising border dispute matters until addressed by the Supreme Court.