PANAJI, Jan 10 (IANS): Russian tourists in Goa can now have medical insurance. A Moscow-based firm supported by the Russian government is offering policies that will allow the 40,000-odd Russians visiting the state every year to be treated without having to pay.

Speaking to reporters Saturday, legal representative in Goa of the Mumbai-based Russian consulate Vikram Varma said that the formalities had been worked out and a list of hospitals had already been empanelled for cashless treatment of Russian tourists.

"The League of Defence and Medical Services is a Russian government supported establishment. They will reimburse all medical bills on the spot. Tourists will not have to spend any money when it comes to medical emergencies," Varma said.

Explaining the modalities of the medical insurance scheme, Varma said that a $30 insurance scheme provided medical cover up to $30,000.

"The plan is to empanel six private hospitals. The insurance scheme will cover both medical and legal expenses," he said.

An average of 40,000 Russian tourists visit Goa annually during the tourist season from October to February and the country ranks second after Britain in the number of foreign tourists. The bulk of the Russian tourists hail from Moscow, Yekaterinberg and St Petersburg.

Russians in Goa have recently been in the news for the wrong reasons. The alleged rape of a 25-year-old Russian by local politician John Fernandes created a furore when some politicians and policemen criticised the victim.

Russian teenager Elena Sukhonova was found dead on a railway track last year. While the police claimed that the girl had fallen from a train, her relatives, railway officials and the Russian consulate officials have suspected homicide.