Ayushman Sahakar Scheme

The Ayushman Sahakar Scheme is an initiative by the NCDC to provide financial assistance to cooperatives for creating a holistic healthcare infrastructure in rural areas. On October 19, 2020, the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare launched the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme in India.

Launching this scheme is a move towards developing the healthcare sector in rural India, under the National Health Policy, 2017. In this article, we will explain the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme, its objectives and how the NCDC plans to extend financial assistance.

About Ayushman Sahakar Scheme

Realizing the need to invest in holistic healthcare in India, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare launched the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme in 2020. This scheme offers financial benefits to cooperative societies working for the upliftment of the healthcare sector, especially in the rural parts of India.

Find an overview of the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme in the table below.

Ayushman Sahakar Scheme - Objectives

The Prime Minister launched the National Digital Health Mission on August 15, 2020. On October 19, 2020, the NCDC introduced the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme to offer financial assistance for the development of healthcare services in India. Here are some of the objectives of the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme.

• Ensure holistic and affordable healthcare through cooperative societies using hospitals and education facilities.
• Promote AYUSH facilities that are offered by cooperative societies.
• The Ayushman Sahakar Scheme aims to ensure that cooperative societies meet the objectives of the National Health Policy.
• Ease participation of cooperative societies in the National Digital Health Mission.
• The Ayushman Sahakar Scheme enables cooperative societies to provide comprehensive healthcare services, including education, insurance, services, and more.

Ayushman Sahakar Scheme - Activities Covered

The following activities are covered under the Ayushman Sahakar scheme:

Ayushman Sahakar Scheme - Eligibility

In order to avail of the benefits of the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme, an entity needs to fulfil the eligibility criteria first. The scheme allows cooperatives to avail of benefits under other government schemes simultaneously. Here are the details about the eligibility for the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme:

• To be eligible for benefits under the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme, a cooperative society needs to be registered under the State or Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act.
• In addition, there should be a provision in the bylaws that allows society to provide services to hospitals or healthcare sectors.

Ayushman Sahakar Scheme - Terms and Conditions

The Ayushman Sahakar scheme has been launched to provide financial assistance to cooperative societies so that healthcare facilities for rural areas can be improved. The following are the details of the loan provided under the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme:

Period of Loan:

Under the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme, the loan is given for a period of 8 years with a 1-2 year moratorium facility for principal repayment. This depends on the project type and its ability to generate revenue.

Interest Charged:

The interest rate is set by the NCDC for the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme and varies from time to time. If women members form a majority in a cooperative society, the NCDC offers a discount of 1% against the applicable rate.

Security Required Against the Loan:

As per the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme, the NCDC may provide loans to cooperative societies either by direct funding or through the State Government. The cooperative society may provide the following securities or a combination of securities:

• Assets held by the society or being created as part of the project.
• State or Central Government Guarantee.
• Nationalized bank or scheduled bank guarantee.
• Central PSU or their CSR foundation and statutory body guarantee.
• Government bonds or securities can be hypothecated or assigned.

Ayushman Sahakar Scheme - Funds Provided

An initiative of the NCDC, the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme provides loans at competitive rates to cooperative societies. Here are the details about the funds offered under this scheme.

State Government Funding:

When NCDC funds the cooperative through the State Government for the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme:

• Loan by NCDC: 90%
• Share of Society: 10%

When the State Government provides funds to the Society for the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme

• Loan 50%
• Share Capital 40%
• Society's Share 10%

Direct Funding:

When NCDC provides funds directly to the society for the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme:

• Loan 70%
• Society's share 30%

FAQs on Ayushman Sahakar Scheme

Q1. What is the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme?

The Ayushman Sahakar Scheme is an initiative that offers financial assistance to cooperatives to upgrade healthcare infrastructure and education in rural areas in India. The National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, launched the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme in October 2020.

Q2. When was the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme launched?

The National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, launched the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme on October 19, 2020. The Ayushman Sahakar Scheme is an initiative that aims to assist cooperative societies in providing holistic healthcare in rural areas.

Q3. What is the aim of the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme?

The aim of the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme is to upgrade holistic healthcare infrastructure, services and education in rural India. This scheme offers cooperative societies financial assistance to enable them to develop and provide healthcare resources in rural India.

Q4. Ayushman Sahakar Scheme was launched by which ministry?

National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare launched the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme. This scheme was launched in October 2020, keeping in view the objectives of the National Digital Health Mission.

Q5. Which activities are covered under the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme?

The Ayushman Sahakar Scheme covers activities such as infrastructure, working capital, and margin money. Under this scheme, cooperative societies working for the development of holistic healthcare in rural areas get financial assistance and a loan period of up to 8 years.

Q6. Who are eligible to apply for benefits under the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme?

Only select people can apply for benefits under the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme in India. Cooperative Societies registered under the State or Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act are eligible to apply for benefits under the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme.