In Punjab, Kapurthala has become the first district in the country to start distributing enhanced 64 KB Smart Cards to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families as part of the national health insurance policy scheme – Rashtiriya Sawasthaya Bima Yojna (RSBY). AIR Jalandhar Correspondent reports that the decision to move from current 32kb smart cards to 64kb smart cards in a phased manner was taken by the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment in February, this year. Under the RSBY scheme, BPL families can avail cash less health serices upto 30,000 rupees by paying a premium of Rs 30 per annum and the policy will cover five members of a family for a year. Transportation charges and visit fee are also covered upto some extent. Central Government pays 75 percent of the total premium while State Government pays the remaining. Chief Nodal Officer for RSBY in Punjab, Raji Srivastava said that with the new upgraded card, besides providing cash less health services, life insurance, accident and disability cover would also be provided to the BPL families upto 75,000 rupees. As per the year 2002 BPL survey, Punjab has approximately 4.5 lakh BPL families. Currently 2.16 lakh BPL smart cards have been issued with 32 KB capacity smart cards which would be replaced with new version of 64 KB cards by next year end. Nine districts will be covered under this project by August. Rest 11 districts will be taken up later.