Mamata protests as Centre cuts down states NRHM fund share

NRHM schemes have been cut down from an earlier 85 per cent to the present 75 per cent.

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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has lodged her protest over a cut in the allocation of Central share to the NRHM schemes from an earlier 85 per cent to the present 75 per cent. In a letter to the Prime Minister,she has written that while the Centre is yet to provide any relief on its financial burden,the reduction of Central share in the National Rural Health Mission would be a blow to the state and urged him to review the decision.

The letter,dated May 12,mentions that she wants to bring to his attention a recent decision of Union government which will adversely affect her financially-stressed state. The decision to reduce the Central share of NRHM scheme from 85 to 75 per cent will add extra burden of Rs 150 crore per annum on Bengal. She has mentioned that NRHM provides affordable,effective healthcare facilities to the poor and the state cannot afford to stop the schemes due to fund constraint.

Health department officials said that currently the situation is not conducive to increase the state budget allocation of NRHM. The states contribution is Rs 280 crore,but if the Central share is reduced to 75 per cent,the states share increases to Rs 477.66 crore an amount Bengal government cannot afford.

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Bengal officials have urged their counterparts at the Centre to find out if its possible to provide a 100 per cent grant to Bengal. Officials,however,apprehend that with huge fund lying unutilsed,it will be difficult for them to convince the Centre to provide a 100 per cent grant. Simultaneously,if the states share is not increased then NRHM scheme needs to be stopped.

As per figures available,the Centre sanctioned Rs 305.29 crore for 2011-12 under Mission Flexible Pool of the NRHM,and only for civil construction work,which is part of the Mission,the Centre sanctioned Rs 103.82 crore. But the state was able to spend only Rs 14.23 crore. Thus,Bengal has an unspent balance of Rs 89.59 crore. From December 2010 to December 2011 the fund utilisation under civil works construction has shown a decreasing trend. In 2011,only 13.71 per cent of the fund was utilised. In fact,NRHM officials are yet to provide utilisation certificate to the Centre.