Vijayawada: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu directed the officials to implement health card scheme for employees from January 16. He asked the Employees JAC leaders, representatives of private hospitals and officials to form a committee to recommend the charges for special health services and directed them to submit a report on the issue within six weeks.

The Chief Minister, after a late night meeting with officials concerned on Wednesday, asked the finance department to release Rs 125 crore immediately for the health scheme. He also agreed to the proposal of JAC leaders to remit Rs 200 crore government fund along with Rs 200 crore to be remitted by employees every year to set up a special fund for the health scheme.

The CM said that the health cards would be distributed to those who had not received them so far. Minister for Health Kamineni Srinivas, JAC leaders Ashok Babu, I Venkaetswara Rao, G Venkateswarlu, Dr Murali and Dr Ramesh from private hospitals, Chief secretary of Health Poonam Malakondaiah, Revenue secretary Ravichandra, Chief secretary Satish Chandra and CMO secretary PS Pradyumna were present.