Bengali film technicians to get state health scheme benefits
Kolkata: At the request of Bengali superstar and Trinamool Congress MP Deepak Adhikari, popularly known as Dev, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has made arrangements to extend health benefits to the technicians working in the Bengali entertainment industry.
This move aims to bring thousands of hardworking technicians under the state government’s Swasthya Sathi health scheme, ensuring better medical coverage for them and their families.
Earlier this week, Deepak Adhikari had shared a copy of a letter he wrote to the Chief Minister on his social media accounts, requesting that all technicians associated with the industry be included in the Swasthya Sathi Scheme. The Chief Minister accepted his request, meaning that now all technicians affiliated with the Bengali film industry will be able to avail themselves of the benefits of the state-run health program.
In a post on his X account, Dev expressed gratitude, stating, “Grateful to share that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has honoured my request to avail the Swasthya Sathi Scheme for the welfare of more than 7,000 hardworking technicians of the Bengali film industry.”
He further informed that a registration camp will be organized on March 17 at Technicians Studio, urging all technicians to participate and complete their registration under the state government scheme to access its benefits.
In his letter to the Chief Minister, Dev highlighted that more than 7,000 technicians work under the Federation of Cine Technicians and Workers of Eastern India (FCTWEI). Previously, these technicians were covered under the state government’s mediclaim scheme of Rs 5 lakh, but this facility was recently discontinued, leaving them and their families without proper health security.
Many technicians had conveyed to Dev that they were not insured under the Swasthya Sathi Scheme, which prompted him to request the organization of a registration camp at Technicians Studio to facilitate their enrollment.
Alongside this initiative, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated a new 10-storied B.C. Roy Memorial Building at N.R.S. Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.
The facility is designed to provide improved patient care and medical services. Additionally, West Bengal University of Health Sciences has constructed a new building in Salt Lake, Kolkata, with a total investment of Rs 102.75 crore, which includes office accommodations, seminar spaces, and areas for academic and administrative activities.
The Swasthya Sathi Scheme for technicians is expected to cover over 7,000 individuals, with a total financial outlay of Rs 148 crore, reflecting the state government’s commitment to strengthening healthcare access for the film industry workforce. (With inputs from IANS)
Khushi Chittoria joined Medical Dialogues in 2025 as a Media and Editorial Intern. She holds a degree in Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication from IP University and has completed certifications in content writing. She has a strong interest in anchoring, content writing, and editing. At Medical Dialogues, Khushi works in the editorial department, web stories and anchoring.