Special incentives to docs for serving in rural areas
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, June 23: In order to give further fillip to the implementation of National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) in tough terrain states, the Union Government has increased the Central share under the scheme for Jammu and Kashmir and two other hilly states from the current financial year.
This was disclosed by the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Ghulam Nabi Azad while addressing a public gathering at Nowshera after attending the seventh death anniversary function of former Minister and veteran Congress leader, Master Beli Ram.
Recognizing the importance of health in the process of economic and social development and improving the quality of life, the Union Government has extended the National Rural Health Mission scheme for five years beyond 2012, Mr Azad said while mentioning about the remarkable achievements registered in basic health care delivery system since the launch of NRHM in the country in 2005.
He said that Center-State share under the scheme during the first seven years of its implementation was of 85:15 ratio and as decided during the launch of the scheme in 2005, the Union Government reduced its share from 85 per cent to 75 per cent while extending the life of the scheme by five years from current financial year, Mr Azad said.
“However, we have decided not to put any financial burden on three hilly states of the country—Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal keeping in view the difficulties being faced because of tough terrain”, the Union Health and Family Welfare Minister said while disclosing that the Central share in respect of these states has been increased from 85 per cent to 90 per cent and state share decreased from 15 per cent to 10 per cent.
“This step would go a long way in further improvement in the basic health care delivery system by making available adequate infrastructure and manpower that too without any extra financial burden on these states”, Mr Azad said.
The Union Minister said that as an extraordinary measure to improve the health services in Jammu and Kashmir, Centre has decided to pay special incentives to the doctors serving in rural areas over and above the salary. “The special incentives are offered to encourage the doctors to serve in the rural areas as generally doctors avoid posting in hilly and far flung areas”, he added.
He announced that Union Government would launch a scheme in the month of September this year whereby free medicines would be provided to the poor sections of the society.
Responding to the local demand, the Union Minister announced a hundred-bedded hospital for Nowshera to be funded by the Centre. “The existing 30 bedded hospital would be upgraded to 100 bed capacity for which the funds will be provided by the Centre”, he added.
Highlighting the steps taken for Rajouri and Poonch districts during his Chief Ministership, Mr Azad said, “we paid special attention towards the tough terrain districts in order to bring them back on the developmental path”, adding “several Centrally Sponsored Schemes were launched in these districts and double shift work system was introduced to ensure timely completion of the developmental works”.
Recalling the contribution of former Minister and veteran Congress leader, Master Beli Ram in the socio-economic development of the people, the Union Minister said, “leaders like Masterji should be beacon light for today’s politicians and we all must follow their foot-steps”.
Earlier, Mr Azad accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand, Minister for Tourism and Culture, Nawang Rigjin Jora, Ministers of State, Dr Manohar Lal Sharma and Shabir Ahmed Khan and MLCs Jugal Kishore and Jahangir Mir visited the residence of Master Beli Ram and paid tributes to veteran Congress leader on his death anniversary. He stayed with veteran leader’s son and former MoS Romesh Sharma for sometime.
Mr Azad, who is on four day visit of Jammu, would inaugurate three-day Bhaderwah Festival tomorrow afternoon before leaving for tourism resort of Jai, where he will inaugurate Youth Hostel.
As per the itinerary of his visit, Union Minister would also conduct tour of Thathri and Gandoh areas where he will interact with people and review the status of developmental works. On June 26, Mr Azad would visit Kishtwar and on June 27 he will return to Doda where he will lay foundation stone of community hall to be constructed under MPLAD scheme.
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