J&K govt seeks additional funds for health projects

The Jammu and Kashmir government has sought additional funds for completion of various health projects under the state plan.

"Work on 15 major hospital projects are apace at a total cost of Rs 535 crore, against which Rs 228 crore was utilised up to last fiscal. During the current financial year, Rs 11 crore is being expended under the state plan," state Health Minister Shabir Ahmad Khan said today.

He was chairing a high-level meeting of planning, finance and health departments here.

Khan said that the state government has projected Rs 70 crore under NRHM for execution of these projects during the current financial year.

He said the planning department has been asked to consider additional funds for timely completion of these projects.

"There is need of Rs 295 crore for completion of these projects," Khan said, noting that the health services should not get affected at any cost and the government is committed to ensure it.

"There should be no financial cut in the plan allocation of health services," he said, and added that an amount of Rs 80.50 crore is being expended on health services under the state plan during the current financial year.

Principal Secretary, Planning, B R Sharma assured the minister that timely release of funds will be ensured for maintaining the health services in the state.

The state's share of funds for implementation of components of flagship NRHM and other Central schemes is being released well in time and balance amount, if any, will also be released in time, he said.