New Delhi (PTI): The government on Monday said about 40-lakh artisans would be provided health insurance coverage under the Rajiv Gandhi Shilpi Swasthya Bima Yojna over a period of five years.

"Rajiv Gandhi Shilpi Swasthya Bima Yojna (RGSSBY) was introduced during the 11th plan period under which about nine lakh artisans have been covered so far for health insurance. We hope to cover about 40 lakh artisans by the end of the 11th plan," Textile Minister Shankersinh Vaghela said here.

RGSSBY aims at financially enabling the artisans' community to access to the best of healthcare facilities in the country. This scheme covers four members of the artisans family, including self and any three out of spouse, dependent parents and children.

Under the scheme, there is a provision of medical expenses being reimbursed to the beneficiaries, subject to an annual limit of Rs 15,000 per family.

A sum of Rs one lakh for personal disability or death due to an accident is provided under the scheme. Out of the annual premium of Rs 800, the beneficiaries contribution is Rs 150 per year for general category and Rs 75 per year for Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribes and below poverty line categories, while the balance of Rs 650 and Rs 725, respectively, would be borne by the Central government.

The minister has released a book-'Crafts of India- Handmade in India'. It is a compilation of diverse range of crafts from every nook and corner of the country.