Onlykashmir.in News Desk
In a major relief for poor cancer patients, the Omar Abdullah led government has overhauled the J&K Cancer Treatment and Management Fund for Poor, significantly expanding financial support available to vulnerable families battling the disease. The revamp marks one of the more substantial reforms to the fund since its inception, easing eligibility norms and speeding up disbursal timelines for beneficiaries.
Under the revised scheme, the annual income eligibility limit for beneficiary families has been raised from ₹2.40 lakh to ₹4 lakh, widening the pool of families who now qualify for assistance under the fund. Patients will also be able to receive financial assistance on up to three separate occasions, a shift from the earlier provision that limited support to a one-time grant regardless of the course of treatment required. Eligible families will receive assistance of up to ₹75,000 under the revised structure.
In a key procedural reform, aid under the fund will now be transferred directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer, moving away from earlier disbursal mechanisms that involved more administrative steps. Deputy Commissioners across districts have been directed to ensure that payment reaches beneficiaries within 72 hours of the release of funds, a timeline intended to reduce delays that have historically added strain on families already managing the financial and emotional burden of cancer treatment.
The overhaul comes against the backdrop of the high cost of cancer diagnosis and treatment in Jammu and Kashmir, where many families from economically weaker sections have previously struggled to access timely financial support while navigating lengthy treatment protocols. By doubling the income threshold and allowing repeated assistance, the government aims to ensure that support under the fund better reflects the often prolonged and recurring nature of cancer care, rather than treating it as a single, one-time expense.
The move is expected to ease the financial burden on families battling the high cost of cancer treatment across the Union Territory, with officials indicating that the streamlined DBT mechanism should help eliminate procedural delays that beneficiaries have previously faced in receiving assistance. The reform reflects continued administrative focus on strengthening healthcare support systems for economically vulnerable populations across Jammu and Kashmir.
