M Ramadoss: Financial Inclusion

After taking over as Chairman and Managing Director of the Oriental Insurance Co in January 2005, M Ramadoss has directed his focus to fill-up the insurance gap that exists not only in the rural areas but in cities too. This population is being reached through the use of information technology. The Oriental Insurance has taken a lead in insuring the un-insured – providing Universal Health Insurance cover for cashless mediclaim to the underprivileged in rural areas and urban slums. The Universal Health Insurance policy from Oriental Insurance provides a hospitalisation cover of 30,000 rupees offered at just 30 rupees per month, bringing a substantial health insurance cover within real reach of the poorest. Know Your Customer includes capturing photo and fingerprints, to avoid any abuse of the cashless mediclaim facility. The Oriental Insurance has engaged Self Help Groups and micro-finance companies at the grassroots level to serve customers as diverse as NREGA wage seekers, migrant labourers, pavement hawkers and rickshaw pullers.