'Violation Of Contract': Mandaviya Says States Setting Up Health Infra With Ayushman Bharat Funds But Not Naming It

Citing an example, Mandaviya said Punjab has created health infrastructure with the utilisation of Ayushman Bharat funds but named these facilities as 'Mohalla Clinics'.

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya speaks in the Lok Sabha during Budget Session of Parliament

New Delhi: Several states have set up healthcare centres with the help of Ayushman Bharat funds but given them different names, such as 'Mohalla Clinic' in Punjab, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya told the Lok Sabha on Friday.

Terming the implementation of the health scheme in such a manner by the states a "violation" of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) that they signed with the Centre, Mandaviya said, "They won't abide by the contract (MoU) and stop the health and wellness centre scheme, then the central government will not be left with any other option. Considering that they have stopped implementing the scheme, the grant that we give from here…."

"We release scheme-based grants. If they don't utilise the scheme and follow its provisions, we are not left with any other option," the minister added.

The Union Minister was replying to a question asked by YSRCP member K Raghu Rama Krishna Raju. "Several state governments are violating that (MoU), (they) have given their own names (to the scheme)...," Mandaviya said.

Citing an example, he said that Punjab has created health infrastructure with the utilisation of the funds provided by the central government under the Ayushman Bharat-Health and Wellness Centre scheme. However, the state government has named these facilities as 'Mohalla Clinics'.

"This should not be done," Mandaviya said while replying to a question in Lok Sabha during Zero Hour.

"I have written to all the state governments, to Andhra Pradesh also," he added.

The minister also appealed to the states to work with the central government in tandem and said there is no need for "anybody" to play politics over providing healthcare facilities to people.

Mandaviya further said that over 1.54 lakh health and wellness centres have been set up across the country under the Ayushman Bharat-Health and Wellness Centre scheme since it was rolled out by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018.

For the implementation of the scheme, the Centre bears 60 per cent of the total expenditure and states 40 per cent, he added.