As the year draws to a close, The State Rural Health Mission is still awaiting release of the State component of funds from the Puducherry government for implementation of programmes under the National Rural Health Mission, a flagship programme of the Union Government.
While the Centre had already released funds, the State component is needed for programmes to reach health targets and goals. In NRHM programmes, 75 per cent of funds are released by the Central Government with the state government contributing the remaining amount. At the start of 2012, Puducherry had an opening balance of `6.33 crore released by the Union Ministry of Health and a further `7.74 crore was given later in the year. However, the state component of ` 5.38 crore is yet to be released.
Unless State funds are obtained, programmes drawn up for realization in Puducherry cannot be realized. Furthermore, utilisation certificates for the programme are given only after utilisation of funds released by the Central Government. These certificates are required for obtaining the next instalment of funds. The funds unless obtained in the right time cannot be utilized before the end of the financial year. When this happens, Puducherry will lose the money for the current year and the amount will get carried over to the next financial year as opening balance. If the funds are utilized in the current year, then next year the UT can seek more allocation by showing the utilization. Unfortunately, time is running out for the UT government as there are less than four months to go before the financial year draws to a close.
Puducherry has been doing well under NRHM with infant mortality rate coming down to 19 per 1000 births from an earlier figure of 22. However, much can be achieved with proper utilization of the funds. M Sathiavathy, chief secretary, who reviewed flagship programmes, gave directions to speed up expenditure for the NRHM. “We expect the funds to be released within a week, “ Director of Health and Family Welfare Dr K.V Raman told Express.