Jharkhand Targets Mid-October Deadline for Health Fund Utilization

Jharkhand’s Chief Secretary, Alka Tiwari, has mandated that all Deputy Commissioners expedite the expenditure of 50% of the health funds allocated through the 15th Finance Commission, setting a mid-October deadline. This directive was issued during a review meeting held on Monday, focusing on the progress of health-related spending under the commission’s guidelines. During the meeting, the Chief Secretary emphasized that the state’s claim for the remaining Rs 1020.27 crore from the central government hinges on achieving the 50% spending target. She urged Deputy Commissioners to adopt a mission-oriented approach and develop actionable plans to monitor progress. The Chief Secretary also instructed the immediate operationalization of completed health infrastructure by obtaining the necessary resources from the headquarters and mandated weekly reviews to track the progress. Highlighting observations from her field visits, she noted instances where health centers have been constructed but lack operational services, underscoring the need to utilize completed infrastructure. Furthermore, the Chief Secretary directed all district Deputy Commissioners to facilitate the provision of essential facilities and ensure they are functional to provide accessible health services to the public. They were instructed to settle pending payments for completed constructions and keep the data updated. The Deputy Commissioners were advised to reach out to relevant departments to address issues and to utilize the district’s designated technical staff to ensure smooth and timely execution. During the meeting, the Deputy Commissioners acknowledged some delays due to rainfall but affirmed their commitment to meet the 50% spending target by October 15. Notably, the 15th Finance Commission funds, amounting to Rs 1344.08 crore, are being utilized across the state to establish Primary Health Centers (PHCs), Community Health Centers (CHCs), BPHUs, UAAMs, and under the PM Atmanirbhar Swasth Bharat Yojana, alongside the development of diagnostic infrastructure in both urban and rural regions. Ajay Kumar Singh, the Additional Chief Secretary of the Health Department, advised Deputy Commissioners to collaborate with Circle Officers to select suitable construction sites. He stressed the significance of coordinating with supply and health officials during the KYC process for beneficiaries under the Ayushman Bharat Mukhyamantri Jan Arogya Yojana and Mukhyamantri Abua Swasthya Suraksha Yojana. He also directed the settlement of outstanding payments for the construction of HSCs, PHCs, and CHCs. Additionally, the Additional Chief Secretary announced the plan to establish an additional 168 health centers in the state, with a focus on remote rural and tribal areas. Deputy Commissioners were tasked with identifying suitable locations within their respective areas and submitting proposals within 15 days to expedite the process. Furthermore, the establishment of health sub-centers in 948 panchayats was also announced.