Bhat Imran
Srinagar, Mar 04 : In the three Financial Years (FYs), among all states and Union Territories (UTs) of India, the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has received more than two percent of shares from the Emergency COVID-19 Response Package (ECRP) from Union Health Ministry.
According to official figures available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), “In the Financial Year 2019-20, the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir has received a total of Rs 26.69 crores on account of COVID-19 funds under the centrally sponsored scheme National Health Mission (NHM).”
The figures were revealed by the Center Public Information Officer (CPIO) and Section Officer for NHM, Suidigwangbe Hau Ministry of Health and Family Welfare—NHM Finance Division in a reply to Right to Information (RTI) application filed by activist M M Shuja.
According to government figures, in the FY-2020-21 ECRP Phase-I, the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has received a total of Rs 194.58 crores while the Union Territory of Ladakh has received a total of Rs 44.77 crores in the financial year.
Similarly, in the FY 2020-21 under ECRP Phase-II, the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has received a total of Rs 128.82 crores while the Union Territory of Ladakh has received a total of Rs 31.26 crores in the financial year.
The RTI reply reveals that in all three FYs, a total Rs 16617.04 crores were released in three financial years across India in different states and UTs that includes Rs 350.09 crores that were released to Jammu and Kashmir.
“The release of Ladakh for the FY 2019-20 was included in the UT of JK as per the direction of MoF. The ratio of distribution between JK and Ladakh for COVID -19 funds is 71:29,” CPIO said.
The CPIO further said that the release for the FY 2019-20 for Jammu and Kashmir include the release of Ladakh.
“Release of funds under NHM during the FY 2019-20 is as per approved Centre-State funding pattern under NHM and release of funds under Phase-I during the FY 2020-21 is 100 percent centrally funded,” it reveals.
The RTI reply reads, “Release of funds under Phase-II during the FY 2021-22 is as per the approved Centre-State funding under NHM and is updated up-to January-01-2022.”—(KNO)
