Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 23: Minister incharge Health Shabir Ahmed Khan today said that the department has spent Rs 310.58 crore under NRHM in last three years while there was no such proposal at present to regularize doctors engaged under NRHM scheme.
While replying to a question of Congress member Jugal Kishore Sharma in the Upper House during Question Hour today, the Minister disclosed that Rs 310 crore were spent under NRHM in the State in last three years. The figures provided by the Minister revealed that the funds provided by the Centre were higher but their utilization was less. In Jammu Division against the Central funds available under NRHM to the tune of Rs 5478 lakh only Rs 4250 lakh were utilized during 2012-13, ending January 2013. In Kashmir during this period, out of Rs 6549 lakh available only Rs 5394 lakh could be spent.
During 2011-12, out of Rs 14,761 lakh available only Rs 11,933 could be spent and against during 2010-2011, against the funds available to the tune of Rs 11,923 lakhs just 9482.75 lakh could be spent. In district Jammu alone out of the funds available to the tune of Rs 1096 lakh available this year (up to Jan 13), hardly Rs 865 lakhs were spent. In district Doda out of 521 lakhs, just Rs 382 lakhs were spent, in Kishtwar out of Rs 394 lakh only 257 lakhs were utilized and in Udhampur out of Rs 607 lakh only 464.46 lakh were spent.
Replying to another question, Mr Khan said there were four purchase committees which finalise the rates and after tendering process, the drugs, machinery and equipment for the Health institution of the State are procured. He said in order to ensure continuity, responsiveness and sustainability of health services, the systematic establishment of Rogi Kalyan Samiti and Hospital Management Committees have been introduced under NRHM. He further disclosed that 10692 ASHA workers have been engaged in the State so far of which 496 in Rajouri and 374 in Poonch districts. He said the ASHA worker is a link between the community and health system, which creates awareness on health and social determinants. The minister also claimed that child sex ratio was better I n the State as compared to other States.
Intervening during the reply, former Health Minister and sitting PHE, I&FC Minister said that on the performance of State in respect of improving child sex-ratio, the Planning Commission has provided Rs 15.36 crore as incentives to J&K. He said that State’s performance remained at the top in the country in this respect as its ratio was better even at the national level.
Responding to the question of Bashir Ahmed Magray, Mr Khan said MBBS and ISM Medical officers are engaged on the contractual basis under NRHM in various Health institutions including far flung areas as per Central Government norms. He said regarding their regularization there was no such proposal. And if any State takes such initiative, the Government will also consider. And even if Centre issues such guidelines, the State will also go for the same.
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