Bangalore: Karnataka government is launching the "YASHASWINI", the country's first of its kind health insurance scheme for farmers on November 14.

All the farmers, who are members of the co-operative institutions and their families would be covered under this novel scheme, which would be dedicated the farmers community by the Karnataka Chief Minister, S M Krishna.

Karnataka Minister for Co-operation, H Vishwanath told reporters that under the scheme a farmer would pay Rs 5 per annum towards his share for the premium and the state government would share its contribution, which he did not specify.

The beneficiary and his family members would become eligible for getting free medi- care including surgery for major ailments, he said.

The government has identified 40 government hospitals and planned to bring into the scheme's network some of the well-known private hospitals, Vishwanath said.

The scheme being launched on the occasion of the week-long "Co-operation Week", commencing from November 14, would cover one lakh people initially and about 25 lakh families later, he said.

The government has targeted to extend the scheme to atleast 50 lakh farmers families, Vishwanath said.

PTI