Sorting to allay the apprehension that scarcity of funds could affect major health projects, the Union health ministry has released Rs 122 crores for the establishment of new medical colleges across t
Sorting to allay the apprehension that scarcity of funds could affect major health projects, the Union health ministry has released Rs 122 crores for the establishment of new medical colleges across the board.
States like Himachal Pradesh (HP), Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh (MP), Maharashtra, Orissa, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh (UP) have recently been sanctioned money under the Centrally-sponsored scheme of establishment of new medical colleges attached with district and referral hospitals. The major chunk of Rs 25 crores goes to Orissa, followed by West Bengal — which goes for poll this year — which has got Rs 20 crores under the scheme. Importantly, Rajasthan, UP and Chhatisgarh have also been sanctioned a substantial amount.
However, tightening its noose on the utilisation of funds, the Centre has made it clear that the states will have to furnish utilisation certificate to the Central government to avail the benefit and get its share of amount sanctioned. The Central government has asked the states to utilise the grand in aid only for the purpose for which it has been sanctioned and in case the state is unable to execute the grant, it will have to refund the entire amount to the Central government.
To further ensure its proper implementation, the scheme is also made open to inspection and audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, so that the states ensure proper implementation of the scheme. The health ministry has also directed the states not to grant the funds to the institutes receiving funds under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY).
Senior officials in the health ministry believe that sanctioning a substantial amount sorts to allay the fear that the resource crunch has affected the schemes. “Even as the health budget saw a dip last year, the centre had decided that there will be no decrease in the budget allocated for their major schemes. This further makes it clear that there is no dearth of funds and we are further expecting an increase in funds in the upcoming health budget.
This will give a major push to the upcoming institutes.”
