AMN / WEB DESK
UNION Health and Family Welfare Ministry has termed a media report misleading which claimed that the Centre has only released 26.14 per cent of funds under India Covid-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Package – Phase-II.
Health Ministry said that over six thousand crore rupees which is 50 per cent of central share has already been released to States and Union Territories through National Health Mission in August last year. Out of over six thousand crore rupees a total of one thousand 679 crore rupees have already been spent by States and Union Territories.
Health Ministry said, the remaining funds will be released to states based on the progress and utilization of at least 50 per cent of the released funds. So far, five states have reported expenditure of more than 50 per cent. Central Government is actively pursuing with states with speedy implementation of the health package.
The Cabinet approved the health package in July last year worth over 23 thousand crore rupees to be implemented till end of March this year. The Scheme is aimed to strengthen health systems for emergency response and preparedness across the country in view of the challenges posed by Covid-19 pandemic. Under the scheme, over 20 thousand crore rupees are to be spent by States out of which over 12 thousand crore rupees is to be provided by the Central government and over eight thousand crore rupees by state governments.