Union,UP ministers spar over healthcare at public event

The two were at the inaugural function of Arogya Mela

Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Santosh Chowdhary and UP Health Minister Ahmad Hasan Friday sparred in public over the use of healthcare funds. The two were at the inaugural function of Arogya Mela organised by the Department of Ayush in Lucknow where Chowdhary was the chief guest.

The row started when Chowdhary,during her address,said the UP government had not accounted for central funds and was also mismanaging funds. In such a situation,we cannot provide it more funds, she said.

Following the allegation,Hasan,who had concluded his speech,rushed to the podium and insisted it was due to bungling by the previous BSP government that they could not provide fund utilisation certificates.

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Later,talking to mediapersons on the sidelines of the event,Chowdhary made a stinging remark against the state government. The UP governments health is in a bad shape, she said while adding that she would come to the state next month to review the utilisation of NRHM funds.

She said the state has not accounted for Rs 12 crore funds for AYUSH schemes for three years. Hasan took potshots at the Centre,saying it only sanctioned Rs 1,500 crore under the NRHM this year while the state government had sought Rs 5,000 crore.

The slanging match between the two ministers did not stop even when the issue of encepahlitis deaths was raised.

Maintaining that health was a state subject,Chowdhary said: We are ready to provide whatever funds are required but the state government will have to decide what is needed and where.

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