CENTRE RELEASED RS 2.74 LAKH CR UNDER NATIONAL HEALTH MISSION: RTI REPLY

CHANDIGARH The Union government has released Rs 274,370 crore under the National Health Mission (NHM) over the last decade, giving a boost to the health services in the country.

- NEERAJ MOHAN

The amount includes Rs 4,308 crore released under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat scheme since its inception in 2020-21.

As per the data provided by the Union Health Ministry under the Right to information Act to Punjabbased social activist and advocate Kamal Anand, the most populous state of Uttar Pradesh has emerged as the largest beneficiary of the initiative, receiving Rs 41,703 crore, which is around 15% of the total allocation to all states and union territories. Uttar Pradesh consistently ranked as the highest recipient, with allocations rising from Rs 3,957.73 crore in financial year 2020-21 to Rs 5,404.6 crore in financial year 202324.

While, another BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh with total allocations of Rs 20,182 crore is at the second position and Maharashtra remained at the third position with an allocation of Rs 19,095 crore. Another populous state, Bihar witnessed nearly 33% growth in the fund allocation under NHM, with the funding increased from Rs 2,034.98 crore in financial year 2020-21 to Rs 2,718.4 crore in financial year 2023-24.