Jharkhand’s Chief Secretary Orders Swift Spending of Health Funds

Alka Tiwari, the Chief Secretary of Jharkhand, has issued a directive to all Deputy Commissioners to ensure that 50% of the funds allocated under the 15th Finance Commission for health-related expenditures are utilized by the middle of October. This order was given during a review meeting held on Monday, where the progress of health fund spending from the 15th Finance Commission was assessed. The Chief Secretary stated that the pending claim of Rs 1020.27 crore from the central government can only be made after 50% of the funds are spent. She urged the Deputy Commissioners to execute their responsibilities with urgency, adopting a mission-oriented approach, and developing detailed action plans to track progress. Tiwari also instructed the immediate operationalization of healthcare facilities in completed buildings, with necessary resources sourced from the headquarters. She mandated a weekly review to monitor the status. Highlighting observations from her state visits, she noted that many health centers have been built but are not yet functional, emphasizing the crucial need to utilize the existing infrastructure. Furthermore, the Chief Secretary directed Deputy Commissioners across all districts to ensure that essential facilities are provided and operationalized, thereby ensuring public access to health services. She further instructed the prompt payment for completed constructions and the updating of relevant data. The Deputy Commissioners were advised to liaise with concerned departments to resolve any issues and to engage the district-assigned technical staff for the seamless and timely execution of these tasks. During the meeting, the Deputy Commissioners acknowledged that construction work had been slightly delayed due to rainfall but assured that the target of spending 50% of the health funds would be met by October 15. It is important to note that funds from the 15th Finance Commission, totaling Rs 1344.08 crore, are being utilized to establish Primary Health Centers (PHCs), Community Health Centers (CHCs), BPHUs, UAAMs, and under the PM Atmanirbhar Swasth Bharat Yojana, across the state. This initiative also includes the development of diagnostic infrastructure in both urban and rural areas. Ajay Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary of the Health Department, instructed the Deputy Commissioners to collaborate with Circle Officers in the selection of construction sites. He also stressed the importance of coordinating with supply and health officials in KYC procedures for beneficiaries of the Ayushman Bharat Mukhyamantri Jan Arogya Yojana and Mukhyamantri Abua Swasthya Suraksha Yojana. He also mandated the payment of outstanding dues for the construction of HSCs, PHCs, and CHCs. The Additional Chief Secretary also revealed plans to construct 168 more health centers in the state, focusing on remote rural and tribal areas. All Deputy Commissioners were requested to identify and propose suitable locations in their respective areas within 15 days to enable further action. The establishment of health sub-centers in 948 panchayats was also announced.