SHILLONG, March 8: The All India Trinamool Congress on Tuesday sniffed duplicity in the over Rs 655-crore COVID-19 expenditure during 2020-21 and 2021-22 fiscals and sought more details.
Replying to a query from Mawlai MLA, PT Sawkmie during Question Hour, Health Minister James PK Sangma said the total amount spent by the state government during 2020-21 was Rs 82.75 crore under DHS (MI) and Rs 156.96 crore under NHM. During 2021-22, he added, the expenditure was Rs 113.48 crore under DHS (MI) and Rs 302.08 crore under NHM.
He said there are no pending bills under DHS (MI) but Rs 85.5 crore is pending under NHM. He said the department has already moved for a supplementary demand and a certain portion of it is being drawn from the contingency fund.
“Hopefully by the first quarter of next financial year, we will be able to release all these payments as we do not want to keep any liabilities,” Sangma said.
On how much money the state has received from the Centre to combat the pandemic, he said the support under DHS (MI) was a tad over Rs 6 crore. Under NHM, he said, the state received Rs 15.87 crore in 2020-21 and Rs 91.94 crore in 2021-22.
He also said that certain funds from the central government came from the Ministry of Department of North East Region for the 2020-2021 financial year and some from the NEC besides the state budget that also comes from the Centre. Not amused, Sawkmie sought the detailed expenditure and urged the minister to place it on the floor of the House.
Opposition chief whip and Umroi MLA, George B Lyngdoh said according to the minister’s statement, Rs 655.29 crore was spent during 2020-2022 from the Health department alone. He questioned why this amount was given to two agencies – DHS (MI) and NHM. He sniffed duplicity in the expenditure.
To this, Sangma said, “Funds to the NHM are provided by Government of India from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and there is very little duplicity.”
He continued, “The DHS (MI) mainly handles work at hospitals. COVID-related admission and COVID management were handled by the NHM. Therefore, the demarcation is very clear but there is always a slight margin of duplicity but it has been clearly spelt out. These are the different verticals the DHS and the NHM will be working on.”
Lyngdoh was quick to respond. “Even though we say little duplicity, precious resources have been spent and unnecessary spending has happened. Much more details are required.”
He further sought details on the amount spent over and above the Rs 655 crore considering that it was spent from other departments and the CM’s relief funds. Before the minister could answer, the Question Hour ended.