Chief Secretary Directs Expenditure of 50% Health Funds by Mid-October

The Chief Secretary of Jharkhand, Alka Tiwari, has instructed all Deputy Commissioners to ensure the expenditure of 50% of the health funds allocated under the 15th Finance Commission by mid-October. The Chief Secretary was presiding over a review meeting concerning the expenditure of health funds from the 15th Finance Commission on Monday. During the review meeting, the Chief Secretary emphasized that claiming the pending amount of Rs 1020.27 crore from the Center is possible only after 50% of the funds are spent. She directed the Deputy Commissioners to work in mission mode and prepare an action plan to monitor progress. The Chief Secretary also instructed that health facilities be made operational in buildings that have already been constructed, obtaining necessary resources from the headquarters. A weekly review of this progress was also mandated. She observed that several health centers have been built, but health services have not been initiated, stressing the importance of utilizing completed infrastructure. Furthermore, the Chief Secretary directed the Deputy Commissioners of all districts to provide essential facilities and make them operational, ensuring that the public receives health services. She also instructed them to make payments for completed constructions and update the data. The Deputy Commissioners were instructed to contact the relevant departments and resolve problems if needed, and to utilize technical personnel specially assigned to districts for the successful and timely implementation of the work. During the meeting, the Deputy Commissioners informed the Chief Secretary that the work was slightly delayed due to rain, but 50% of the health funds would be utilized by October 15. It is noteworthy that the 15th Finance Commission funds are being used to construct Primary Health Centers (PHCs), Community Health Centers (CHCs), BPHUs (Block Public Health Units), UAAMs (Urban Ayushman Arogya Mandirs), and PM Atmanirbhar Swasth Bharat Yojana (PM-ABHIM) across the state, with an investment of Rs 1344.08 crore. Diagnostic infrastructure is also being developed in urban and rural areas. The Additional Chief Secretary of the Health Department, Ajay Kumar Singh, directed the Deputy Commissioners to seek the cooperation of the Circle Officers in selecting locations for construction. He emphasized the need for coordination with supply and health officials in conducting KYC of beneficiaries of the Ayushman Bharat Mukhyamantri Jan Arogya Yojana and Mukhyamantri Abua Swasthya Suraksha Yojana. He also instructed the payment of pending dues for the construction of HSCs, PHCs, CHCs, etc. The Additional Chief Secretary of the department stated that there are plans to construct 168 more health centers in the state, which are to be established in remote rural areas and tribal regions. All Deputy Commissioners were asked to identify locations in their areas and submit proposals within 15 days to facilitate further action. He also mentioned that health sub-centers are to be established in 948 panchayats.