About eight lakh retired personnel of Paramilitary and Central police forces can now avail healthcare facilities through hospitals run by the respective forces. In its recent decision the Home Ministry has decided that retired personnel from forces like CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, NSG and Assam Rifles can now avail the facilities of diagnosis, ultra sound, X-ray and supply of prescribed medicines among others. Till now only serving personnel could avail these facilities.

According to a Ministry the scheme will also cover spouse and children of a personnel who has retired from any of the forces under the command of the Home Ministry. He added that the widows of central paramilitary personnel receiving pension are a special category under this scheme.

The Ministry has also directed base and command hospitals of BSF, CRPF, Assam Rifles, ITBP, CISF and NSG spread across various states to take care of the medical needs of these personnel. Any retired personnel with a valid ID card can visit these hospitals in the vicinity of his or her residence.