Amid the pandemic, the Centre gave Rs 8147.29 crores to States and Union territories for management and containment of the virus. This comes as a reply from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Information sought by Civil Rights Activist Prafful Sarda under the RTI act of 2005.
On asking details about the allocation of funds for Covid-19 from Centre to State from Jan 2019 till 3rd May 2021 the response received from Manish Kumar, CPIO and Under Secretary of National Health Mission finance division states, “The information regarding funds released to States/UTs through National Health Mission (NHM) is available with the division which is Rs 1113.21 Crore during the FY 2019-20and Rs 8147.29 Crore FY 2020-21 (till 31st March 2021) for Covid-19 Emergency Response and Health System Preparedness.”
The detailed sheet titled as Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (NHM) Finance division States Central release of Grants in aid for management and containment Covid-19 as on (31-3-21) under NHM gives the details of funds released to all states and UT. Maharashtra received a maximum fund of 1185.12 crores followed by Tamil Nadu and Delhi with 868.09 Crores and 787.91 Crores respectively. While Kerala has received 573.96 Crores and Uttar Pradesh 541.56Crores. It’s UT Daman and Diu that has received the least fund of some 0.45 Crores followed by Lakshadweep with 0.79 Crores.
Relating the funds with the number of cases as of 31st March, 2021 Activist Sarda points that in figures Maharashtra receives Maha Budget but is not sufficient in the backdrop of the number of cases reported. By 31st March 2020 in Maharashtra state, there were 2812980 cases and 54649 deaths were reported. Comparatively other states like Delhi, Rajasthan, and Gujrat got max funds concerning the number of cases reported. “The figures clearly show that a state like Maharashtra was in dire need of Max Funds looking at worst hit by Corona. Despite being a Major Tax Contributor, Maha didn’t receive the help that was needed. Govt should evaluate, study the number of Corona cases in each state and implement them accordingly based on facts and requirements of the state.” Sarda ends.