Ministry of Health & Family Welfare is giving financial assistance to the poor patients for treatment at different hospitals in all over the country under the following two schemes: namely –

(i) Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN)
(ii) Health Minister’s Discretionary Grants (HMDG)

(i) RASHTRIYA AROGYA NIDHI (RAN)

1. Introduction
The Department related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Human Resource Development in their 31st Report on the functioning of the Central Government Hospitals under the Department of Health, had expressed concern about inadequate facilities for the treatment of poor patients for major illness. The committee felt that it was essential to explore all appropriate sources of funds to assist poor patients coming to AIIMS or other Central Govt. Hospitals for their treatment of specific life threatening illness. In view of the recommendations of the above Committee, it was decided to set up a National Illness Assistance Fund renamed Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN) under the Department of Health, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. The Committee on non-Plan Expenditure in its meeting held on 17th October 1996 approved the proposal for setting up of the fund. Accordingly the Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN) has been set up vide Resolution No. F-7-2/96-Fin-II dated 13/1/97 as published in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary) and has been registered under the Society Registration Act, 1860, as an autonomous Society. This was set up with an initial contribution of Rs. 5 crores from Ministry of Health & Family welfare. The Fund could also be subscribed by individuals in India or abroad with the approval of FCRA, Corporate bodies in private or public sector, philanthropic organisations and all contributions made to this fund are exempt from payment of Income-Tax under section 80-G of Income-Tax Act, 1961

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