Government of West Bengal

Finance Department
Audit Branch
NOTIFICATION

No: 3472 F dt.: 11-05-09

In exercise of the power conferred by Sub-clause (2) of Clause-1 of the West

Bengal Health Scheme, 2008, the Governor is hereby pleased to appoint the 1st June,
2009 as the date on which the said Scheme shall come into force.

By order of the Governor,

D. Mukhopadhyay,
Principal Secretary to the
Government of West Bengal.
 Government of West Bengal
Finance Department
Audit Branch
Medical Cell

Notification
No. 6722-F Kolkata, the 9th July, 2009

The Governor is pleased to make the following amendment to the West Bengal
Health Scheme, 2008.

In clause-(3)

1. for sub-clause(b), the following sub-clause shall be substituted:-

(b) “beneficiary” means a dependent member of the family of an employee;

2. for sub-clause(e), the following sub-clause shall be substituted:-

(e) “dependent member of the family of an employee” means and includes-
(i) Husband or Wife, as the case may be;
(ii) Parents whose monthly income does not exceed rupees one thousand
and five hundred;
(iii) Children, including Step-children, legally adopted children and
unmarried daughters;
(iv) Dependent widowed/ divorced daughters;
(v) Minor brothers, minor sisters;
(vi) Dependent unmarried/ Widowed/ Divorced sisters;

The amendment is effective from 01-06-2009.

By order of the Governor,

D. Mukhopadhyay

Principal Secretary to the

Government of West Bengal

 Government of West Bengal
Finance Department
Medical Cell

No. 9205-F (MED) dt. 5th October, 2009

Memorandum

After the West Bengal Health Scheme, 2008 came into effect from 01-06-09;
requests for clarifications of some of the points laid down in the said Scheme are being
received by this department from various corners.

After careful consideration of the matter the undersigned is directed by order of the
Governor to offer the following para-wise clarifications on the points for information and
guidance of all concerned:

Sl. No. Points of Doubt Clarifications

1. “Dependent member For availing the medical facilities under the West
of the family of an Bengal Health Scheme, 2008 children, minor brothers,
employee” has been unmarried/ widowed/ divorced daughters, unmarried/
defined in clause 3(e) of widowed/ divorced sisters shall be deemed to be
the West Bengal Health dependent on the Govt. Employee if they are normally
Scheme ( as amended residing with him/her and their income from all sources
under notification no. does not exceed Rs. 1500/- per month.
6722-F dt. 04-07-09 )
The conditions of dependency are not applicable to
and conditions of
the spouse. In other words, spouse is automatically
dependency has been
clarified in Para-3 of the included for medical benefits under the West Bengal
Health Scheme, 2008 and hence where both husband
memo no. 3474-F dt.
11-05-09. and wife are State Govt. employees none of them will
be entitled to draw regular medical allowance if either
Whether conditions of of them opts to come under the scheme.
dependency are
(i)However both the husband and wife, if they are
applicable for spouse
who has income more State Govt. employees, may exercise option separately
than Rs. 1500/- per to come under the Scheme. In those cases they will get
identity cards as per their entitlement of
month?
accommodation. Their parents and other family
members as per definition of “family” of the Scheme
will get the benefits under the Scheme. A joint
declaration is to be furnished stating the names of their
beneficiaries and duly counter-signed by their
employers. Name of sons and daughters may be shown
either with the father or mother as per their option.

(ii)If the spouse is an employee of central govt. /Bank

or employed in a corporation / undertaking financed
 wholly or partly by the Central or State Government,
local bodies, aided institutions and Private
organisations, which provide medical services, the
medical facility can be availed of at one place only.
Therefore, if spouse wants to get the benefits under the
West Bengal Health Scheme, 2008 an official certificate
from his/ her employer is to be obtained first regarding
relinquishment of medical allowance and medical
benefits available from his/ her employer.

Above procedures may also be followed in the case of

a Government Pensioner enrolled under the West
Bengal Health Scheme, 2008, in other words, if spouse
is a pensioner or Government employee, both will not
be entitled to get medical relief or medical allowance,
as the case may be, where pensioner opts to come
under the Scheme.

2. A new entrant to New entrants into Government service may be

Government service enrolled under the Scheme following the procedure of
and having no G.P.F. enrolment as laid down under clause-4 of the Scheme.
number. What The Head of the Office/ Cadre Controlling shall issue
procedure will be taken him/ her “Temporary Family Permit” without any
for his/ her enrolment Employee Code till he/ she gets G.P.F. Number.
under the Scheme?

3. West Bengal Identity Cards to the West Bengal Secretariat Service

Secretariat Service is a Officers may be issued by the Administrative
Constituted Service but Departments with due information to the PAR
there is no Service Department.
Record Cell under the
PAR Department for
that Service Officers.
Who will issue identity
cards to such Service
Officers?

4. Whether animal bite Yes.

cases will come under
the purview of “Injuries
caused by accidents”
under clause 7(1)(x) of
the West Bengal Health
Scheme, 2008 for
reimbursement of the
cost of OPD treatment?
5. Whether “Registration Yes.
Charges”, “Service
Taxes” charged by
empanelled H.C.O.s are
reimbursable?

6. Whether the cost of Costs of special devices are reimbursable on the basis
special devices like of the advice of Specialist Surgeons/ Physicians of
hearing aid/ artificial recognised hospitals.
appliances, wheel chair,
etc. are reimbursable?

7. For treatment of a As per Clause-14 of the West Bengal Health Scheme,

Govt. employee/ Govt. 2008, Secretary of a department may allow a
pensioner and members Government employee/ Government pensioner or
of his/ her family in a family members to receive medical treatment in a
Speciality Hospital Speciality Hospital outside the State, as recognised
outside West Bengal, under notification no. 3473-F dt. 11-05-09. But such
prior permission of permission may be given when treatment in such a
Secretary of the hospital is essential and referred by a recognised
Department is required. hospital. To determine essentiality of the treatment
Whether consultation outside the State the West Bengal Health Scheme
of the West Bengal Authority should be consulted.
Health Scheme
Authority, as stated in
Para-10 of the F.D.
memo no. 3474-F dt.
11-05-09, is essential in
each and every case?

8. As stated in Para-4 of For Pensioners drawing pension from Bank in Kolkata,

the F.D. memo no. the Pension Sanctioning Authority shall issue enrolment
3475-F dt. 11-05-09 certificate in Form-II and direct the concerned Bank for
Pension Sanctioning discontinuation of monthly medical relief w.e.f. the date
Authority shall issue mentioned in the enrolment certificate. A copy of the
enrolment certificate in enrolment certificate is to be sent to the A.G. (A. & E.),
Form-II in respect of West Bengal for information.
Pensioner/ Family
Pensioner and direct
the concerned Treasury
to discontinue regular
monthly medical relief
w.e.f. the date
mentioned in the
enrolment certificate.
What procedure is to be
followed in case of
 Pensioners residing in
Kolkata and drawing
pension direct from
Bank?

9. Whether State Govt. Yes. Such pensioners may contact the concerned
pensioners residing in a Pension Sanctioning Authority for enrolment under the
place outside the State Scheme. Enrolment certificates in those cases should be
are entitled to get the sent to the A.G. (A. & E.), West Bengal, Treasury
benefits of the the West Building for taking necessary action towards
Bengal Health Scheme? discontinuation of monthly medical relief w.e.f. the date
mentioned in the enrolment certificate.

10. Whether Government Yes.

employees retired
before 01-06-2009 will
be entitled to get the
benefits of the West
Bengal Health Scheme,
2008?

This order shall be deemed to have taken effect from 01-06-2009.

Special Secretary to the

Government of West Bengal
 Government of West Bengal
Finance Department
Audit Branch

No. : 524-F(Y) Kolkata, the 22nd January, 2010

MEMORANDUM

Subject: Consolidated instructions regarding release of fund from

Kolkata Pay & Accounts Offices and the Treasuries under
West Bengal Health Scheme, 2008.

With a view to smooth implementation of the “West Bengal Health Scheme, 2008”
following instructions are issued pending amendment in relevant provisions of the West
Bengal Treasury Rules, 2005:-

1. Advance under West Bengal Health Scheme, 2008 shall be drawn in Pay Bill Format
(T.R. Form No. 18) till a new Bill Format under the West Bengal Treasury Rules, 2005
is derived at with the concurrence of Accountant General, West Bengal and suitable
amendment in Rule 4.107 of the W.B.T.R., 2005 is made.
2. Pay & Accounts Offices/ Treasuries are advised to release bills pertaining to drawal
of advance and reimbursement under West Bengal Health Scheme, 2008 in
anticipation of allotment subject to the condition that Administrative Departments
shall make adequate provision of fund under unit head, “12-Medical
Reimbursement under the West Bengal Health Scheme, 2008” to make good the
shortfall before closure of each financial year.
3. Advance under West Bengal Health Scheme, 2008 amounting to over Rs. 20,000/-
shall be drawn through open cheque in relaxation of Rule 4.044 (1) of West Bengal
Treasury Rules, 2005, till suitable amendment in the Rules is made.
4. Rule 4.107 of West Bengal Treasury Rules, 2005 includes only Government
employees. Till a new system is evolved this provision shall be applied to pensioners
for reimbursement only under the West Bengal Health Scheme, 2008.
5. In the case of an employee who is transferred after taking medical advance under
the West Bengal Health Scheme, 2008, it is advised that till relevant rule under the
West Bengal Treasury Rules are amended the amount of advance lying outstanding
at the time of transfer may be endorsed on the Last Pay Certificate of the employee
by the D.D.O. The new D.D.O. will take suitable measures for adjustments which will
be communicated to the former D.D.O.

Sd/- S. Bhattacharyya

Special Secretary to the

Government of West Bengal,
Finance Department.
 Government of West Bengal
Finance Department
Medical Cell

No. 589 F (MED) dt. 27-01-2010

Memorandum

Subject: Discontinuation of the process of drawal of

advance under the West Bengal Health Scheme,
2008 in A.C. Bill

In terms of Clause-15 of the West Bengal Health Scheme, 2008, an

advance amounting to 80% of the estimated cost of treatment may be
granted in favour of a Government employee if medical attendance and
treatment is received as indoor patient and such advance may be drawn
in A.C. Bill following Para-11 of the memorandum no. 3474-F dt.
11.05.2009. As difficulties are being experienced in drawal of advance in
the said manner now a consolidated instruction regarding drawal of
advance etc. has been issued under the Finance Department memo no.
524-F(Y) dt. 22.01.2010 (copy enclosed). For drawal of advance under
the West Bengal Health Scheme, 2008 provisions of the said memo may
be followed.

Sd/- S.K. Chattopadhyay

Special Secretary to the

Government of West Bengal
 Government of West Bengal
Finance (Audit) Department
Medical Cell

No. 2249-F (MED) dt. 24.03.2010

Circular

The Government of West Bengal has introduced the West Bengal Health Scheme,
2008 under notification no. 7287-F dt. 19-09-2008 to provide better medical facilities to
the State Government employees and their family members. Benefits of the Scheme
have also been extended to the State Government pensioners and their family members
under memo no. 3475-F dt. 11-05-2009. The Scheme is optional and effective from 01-
06-2009.

2. But although a considerable period of time has elapsed since the publication of the
notifications and memoranda were issued, the response is still not satisfactory. The
Principal Secretary, Finance Department had written to the Additional Chief Secretaries/
Principal Secretaries/ Secretaries, vide letter no.s 8704(65)- F dt. 08-09-2009 and
9364(65)-F dt. 09-10-2009, requesting them to give due publicity to the Scheme. This has
also not achieved desired result. So many officers and employees of various
departments, directorates and regional offices under the establishment of the
Government of West Bengal as well as Government pensioners are still not aware of the
various features and benefits of the Scheme and as a result many of them have not yet
opted for the Scheme.
3. It has now become essential that the features and benefits of the Scheme be
brought to the knowledge of all the officers, employees and pensioners without any
further delay so that they may exercise option to get the benefits of the Scheme.

4. The Additional Chief Secretary/ Principal Secretary/ Secretary of the department

concerned, Director of the Directorate, Divisional Commissioners and District
Magistrates are therefore requested to take necessary steps so that the provisions of
the Scheme are explained to the officers and employees/ pensioners in an appropriate
manner. For this purpose workshops and interactive sessions may be conducted under
intimation to the West Bengal Health Scheme Authority under Finance Department.
Officers of the nodal department, i.e., Finance Department/ members of the West
Bengal Health Scheme Authority may attend and participate in those workshops and
interactive sessions in order to make the said workshops and interactive sessions
effective.

5. The West Bengal Health Scheme, 2008 with latest circulars and memos are available
in the official website of the Finance Department www.wbfin.nic.in (link W.B. Health
Scheme 2008).
Sd/-
(A.M. Chakrabarti)
Chief Secretary to the
Government of West Bengal
 GOVERNEMENT OF WEST BENGAL
FINANCE DEPARTMENT
AUDIT BRANCH
MEDICAL CELL

Notification
No 8014-F (MED) dt 30-07-10

The Governor is pleased to make the following amendment to the West Bengal
Health Scheme, 2008:

In clause (4) insert the following sub-clause after sub-clause (4) -

“(5) (i). The enrolment of the existing employees of the State Government under the Scheme
shall be completed within 31.12.2010 or two years from the date of joining, whichever is
later.

(ii). New entrants into Government service shall be allowed to exercise option and complete
enrolment under the Scheme within two years of their appointment in Government service.

(6). The employees not opting to come under the West Bengal Health Scheme within the
period as specified at sub-clause 5 shall not be eligible to opt for the Scheme at a later
period.”

By order of the Governor,

Sd/-

(C. M. Bachhawat),

Principal Secretary to the Government of West Bengal

 GOVERNEMENT OF WEST BENGAL
FINANCE DEPARTMENT
AUDIT BRANCH
MEDICAL CELL

No 8015-F (MED) dt. 30-07-10

Notification
The Governor is pleased to make the following amendment to the
West Bengal Health Scheme, 2008:

In clause (13) insert the following sub-clause after sub-clause (4) –

“(5). The Sanctioning authority for reimbursement of the costs of

medical attendance and treatment in all the cases of the employees
working in the Calcutta High Court shall be the Registrar General.

(6). The Sanctioning authority in the case of an employee working in the

Public Service Commission, West Bengal shall be the Secretary of the
Commission, where the claim does not exceed Rs.50,000/- for indoor
treatment and Rs.5,000/- in case of OPD treatment and the Chairman of
the Commission where the claim exceeds these limits.

By order of the Governor,

Sd/-

(C. M. Bachhawat),

Principal Secretary to the Government of West Bengal

 Government of West Bengal
Finance Department
Budget Branch
No. 2225-F.B. Dated, Kolkata, the 26th October, 2010

From: S. Datta
OSD & E.O. Joint Secretary to the
Government of West Bengal

Sub: Opening of sub-detailed heads under ‘70-Deduct Recoveries’ in respect

of refund of “WBHS, 2008” advance and normal refund

The undersigned is directed by order of the Governor to say that the Governor is
pleased to sanction the opening of two sub-detailed heads viz. ‘01-Others’ for normal refund
and ‘02-WBHS, 2008’ for refund of advance in connection with WBHS, 2008 sub-ordinate to
the detailed head ‘70-Deduct Recoveries’ under the same major, sub-major, minor, sub-
head where the expenditure has originally been made for exhibiting refund.

This order issues with the concurrence of the office of the Principal Accountant
General (A & E), West Bengal vide their letter No. A.M.-I/3-37/X/339 dated 12th October,
2010.

Sd/- S. Datta

OSD & EO Joint Secretary to the

Government of West Bengal

No. 2225/1(105)-F.B. Dated, Kolkata, the 26th October, 2010

Copy forwarded for information and necessary action to the:-

1. Joint Secretary, ____________________________ Department.

2. Senior Accounts Officer (A.M.-I Section)

Indian Audit and Accounts Department
Office of the Principal Accountant General (A & E), West Bengal.

3. Accountant General (R.W. & L.B. Audit), West Bengal.

4. Director, Directorate of Treasuries and Accounts.
5. All Budget Assistants of Group ‘N’ of Finance Department.

Sd/-

Deputy Secretary
 Government of West Bengal
Finance Department
Audit Branch
Medical Cell

No. 10531-F(MED) dt. 10.11.10

Notification

The Governor is pleased to make the following amendment to the West Bengal
Health Scheme, 2008 as amended under notification no. 6722-F dt. 09-07-2009:-

In Clause-3

for Sub-Clause (e)(ii), the following Sub-Clause shall be substituted:-

(e)(ii) Parents whose monthly income does not exceed Rupees Three
Thousand Five Hundred;

Note:- In case of pensioners, income from all sources including pension before
commutation is to be taken as income. However, the dearness relief on pension is not to be
considered as income.

The amendment is effective from 01-09-2010.

By order of the Governor,

(C.M. Bachhawat)

Principal Secretary to the

Government of West Bengal

 Government of West Bengal
Finance Department
Audit Branch

No. 1823-F(Y) Kolkata, the 4th March, 2011.

MEMORANDUM

Subject: Instruction regarding release of fund

from Pay & Accounts Offices/ Treasuries
under West Bengal Health Scheme, 2008.

In continuation of this Department Memorandum

No. 524-F(Y) dated 22.01.2011, with a view to making the
procedures of sanctioning advance as well as settling
claims for reimbursement under the West Bengal Health
Scheme, 2008 less time-consuming, the Kolkata Pay & Accounts
Offices and the Treasuries are advised to clear the Advance
bills within two days and the Reimbursement bills within
five days of receipt on top priority basis.

Sd/- A.K. Chakraborty

Joint Secretary to the

Government of West Bengal

Finance Department.
 Government of West Bengal
Finance Department
Audit Branch
Medical Cell

No. 2618-F (MED) Dt. 05-04-2011

Memorandum

Under Clause 12(2) of the West Bengal Health Scheme, 2008 the application for
settlement of claim is to be made within three months of the completion of treatment.

Now, following the requests from various corners the undersigned is directed by
order of the Governor to offer the following clarification on the above clause for information
and guidelines of all concerned.

Treatment Time limit for preferring claim under Clause-

12(2) of the West Bengal Health Scheme, 2008

1. Indoor treatment : Three months from the date of discharge.

2. O.P.D. treatment : Three months from the date of each O.P.D.
consultation.

Note: Where medicines are to be taken for indefinite period, advance purchase for
more than three months period will not be entertained and three months period for
preferring claim is to be counted from the date of purchase of medicines in such cases.

This will take effect from the date of issue of the order.

Sd/- S.K. Chattopadhyay

Officer on Special Duty and Ex-officio Special Secretary

to the Government of West Bengal
 Government of West Bengal
Finance Department
Audit Branch

Medical Cell

No. 9226-F (MED) Dt. 26-09-2011

Memorandum

Medical treatment in eight speciality hospitals outside the State is

allowed under the West Bengal Health Scheme, 2008. Now, in partial
modification of the Finance Department Memo No. 3474-F, dt. 11-05-
2009, the Governor is pleased to order that cost of train journey for
medical attendance and treatment in speciality hospitals outside the
State with one attendant, both ways, may be reimbursed as per entitled
class of T.A. Rules.

It is clarified that air journey is not ordinarily admissible unless it is

essentially advised by the attending physician of the speciality hospital
under unavoidable circumstances.

Sd/-

(C.M. Bachhawat)

Principal Secretary to the

Government of West Bengal