Question : NRHM

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has received any proposals from the States and UTs for allocation of more funds under National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) to improve healthcare facilities and if so, the details of such proposals and the action taken by the Government thereon, State/ UT-wise;

(b) whether cases of misuse of funds have been reported and if so, the details thereof along with the action taken by the Government in this regard;

(c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government for proper utilisation of funds and continuous monitoring and implementation of NRHM at various levels;

(d) whether the Government has fixed any monetary incentive regarding sterilisation under NRHM and if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether the Government proposes to increase the monetary incentive in view of rising prices and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(f) the reaction of the Government thereto?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI FAGGAN SINGH KULASTE)
(a): The States/UTs regularly seek more allocation of funds under NRHM to improve health care facilities. However, allocation to a State/UT is determined by the budgetary provision for NRHM and the formula approved by the Mission Steering Group for allocation of NRHM-RCH flexi pool funds among States.

(b): Certain instances of misuse of NRHM funds like mis-appropriation, misuse of untied funds, diversion of funds from one pool to another without authorisation, excessive and infructuous purchases etc. have come to light through Audit in States like Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Odisha and Rajasthan. The observations have been duly communicated to the concerned States for taking necessary remedial action.




(c): Besides provision of annual CAG audit, following monitoring mechanisms are put in place for adherence to financial procedures and proper financial utilization for implementation of NRHM at various levels:
• Annual Statutory Audit by CAG empanelled major CA audit firm;
• Concurrent Audit by CAG audit firm;
• Implementation of Public Financial management System (PFMS) developed by the office of the Controller General of Accounts (CGA) of Ministry of Finance for monitoring and management of funds on just in time basis.
• Submission of Financial Management Reports (FMRs) by the States/UTs,
• Release of subsequent instalments is based on the extent of utilization of earlier funds released,
• Annual visits to States by Common Review Mission (CRM), which inter-alia, looks at financial system and mechanism.
• Integrated monitoring visits by senior officials of the Ministry and National Health System Resource Centre (NHSRC).
• 2 or more signatories for all NHM accounts and Double Entry Accounting system are followed.

(d): Yes, the Government has fixed monetary compensation regarding sterilisation under NRHM, the details of which are annexed at Annexure-I.

(e) & (f): Yes, the Government has increased the monetary compensation in view of rising prices in 11 High Focus States w.e.f. 20-10-2014, the details of which are annexed at Annexure-II.