More than 7,000 technicians from the Bengali film industry are set to benefit from the Swasthya Sathi Scheme after Member of Parliament Deepak Adhikari (Dev) appealed to the West Bengal government to include them under the health insurance programme.
The development comes after Dev wrote to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee requesting support for technicians working under the Federation of Cine Technicians and Workers of Eastern India (FCTWEI). According to the letter dated March 7, 2026, many technicians had earlier received medical coverage from the state government, but the facility was "discontinued in the current financial year".
Concern over loss of earlier medical coverage
In the letter, Dev pointed out that more than 7,000 technicians associated with the federation were previously covered under a Rs 5 lakh mediclaim facility provided by the Government of West Bengal. However, the benefit was discontinued this year, leaving many workers and their families without health protection.
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He also noted that a significant number of technicians are not currently enrolled under the Swasthya Sathi Scheme, which provides health insurance coverage to residents of the state.
Many technicians had reportedly approached him with their concerns, prompting him to request the Chief Minister's intervention so that they could be included under the scheme.
Special registration camp to be organised
Following the request, a registration camp will now be organised to help eligible technicians enroll in the Swasthya Sathi Scheme. The camp will take place on March 17 at the Technicians' Studio premises, where workers will be able to complete their registration and access the benefits offered under the programme.
Sharing the update, Dev wrote, "Grateful to share that the Hon'ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has honoured my request to avail the Swasthya Sathi Scheme for the welfare of more than 7000 hardworking technicians of the Bengali film industry."
He also urged technicians to participate in the registration process so they can receive the benefits of the scheme.
"A registration camp will be set up on 17th March at Technicians Studio, I request all technicians to kindly be present and complete their registration under the scheme to avail the benefits of the same."
Support expected to benefit thousands of workers
The initiative is expected to provide much-needed health coverage to thousands of technicians and their families who work behind the scenes in the Bengali film industry.
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By enrolling under the Swasthya Sathi Scheme, eligible workers will be able to access medical support under the state’s health insurance programme. The registration camp is intended to ensure that technicians who were previously left without coverage can now be included in the scheme.
