Lok Sabha Question No. 86 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-02
Subject: Aam Aadmi Mohalla Clinic
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Harsimrat Kaur Badal

## GOVERNMENT OFINDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 86 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 2 nd FEBRUARY,2024

## AAMAADMIMOHALLACLINIC

## 86: SHRIMATI HARSIMRAT KAUR BADAL

Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government's attention is drawn to the claims of the Government of Punjab that Government is withholding Rs. 621 crore under Ayushman Scheme to let the promise through Aam Aadmi Mohalla Clinic fulfil; (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; (c) whether Government's attention is also drawn to the fake patients/doctors/staff whose medicines and salaries being paid by the Aam Aadmi Mohalla Clinic under Ayushman scheme of the Union Government, if so, the details thereof; (d) whether Government have made any assessment/fact finding/initiating any inquiry into the matter to ascertain the truth so that Ayushman Funds could not be misused for no other purpose than to provide effective medical care; and (e) the detailed view of the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR)

(a) to (e): Under National Health Mission (NHM), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) provides the technical and financial support to States/UTs for strengthening of their healthcare systems. The proposals from State/UT Governments are received in the form of Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs) under NHM and Government of India provides approval for the proposals in the form of Record of Proceedings (RoPs) as per norms & available resources.

Department of Expenditure (DoE) Guidelines stipulate that all the States/UTs have to adhere to the guidelines on the Scheme for Special Assistance to the States for Capital Investment 202324. One of the mandatory conditions stipulated in Para (4) is as below:

'Full compliance with the official names of all Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSSs) [correct translation to local language is permissible] and any guidelines / instructions issued by the Government of India regarding branding of CSSs, in all Schemes of all Ministries.'

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the MoHFW, Government of India (GoI) and the Punjab Government for implementation of National Health Mission (NHM) from 01.04.2021 to 31.03.2026 (Reference- DO No.- Z-14011/1/2022-NHM-II (Pt-7) Dated 16 th January, 2023). ( Clause 10.3 of NHM specifies that "The State shall ensure that the implementation of the programme/activities envisaged under the Mission is as per the Framework of Implementation of NHM and other guidelines provided by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare."

Clause 10.10 of NHM specifies that "The State Government shall adhere to all the existing manuals, guidelines, instructions and circulars issued in connection with implementation of the NHM, which are not contrary to the provisions of this MOU.").It is to be noted that the branding of Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs) (now called Ayushman Arogya Mandir), detailed guidelines were issued to all States/UTs vide letter No. D.O.No.Z15015/11/2017-NHM-I dated 30 th May 2018. This compliance was reviewed with all states/UTs frequently in meetings and correspondences with States. A D.O No.Z -28015/201/2023-NHM-I dated 25 th November 2023, has also been shared with the State for renaming of AB-HWCs as Ayushman Arogya Mandir.

Punjab Government has not adhered to the DoE Mandatory compliance guidelines on the scheme for special assistance to the States for Capital Investment 2023-24 and has violated the provisions of Clause 10.3 and 10.10 of MoU signed between the MoHFW, GoI and the State as it has not followed the branding guidelines and has branded Primary Health Centres -Health and Wellness Center (PHC-HWCs) as Aam Aadmi Clinic (PHC-HWC) and not as Ayushman Bharat -Health and Wellness Center (now Ayushman Arogya Mandir). The State has also not followed the colour scheme nor displayed the six logos.

MoHFW has written various letters informing the State on this issue and a review meeting was held with Minister of Health, Punjab in New Delhi under the chairmanship of Hon'ble HFM .

For the FY 2023-24 under NHM Central share allocation is Rs. 457.90 crores. Central Share released till date is Rs 62.29 crores and Central Share to be released is Rs. 395.61 crores which has not been released due to non-compliance of DoE guidelines and non-adherence to clauses of MoU signed between Centre and State for NHM.

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