February 08, 2021
Says Govt must not include the allocations of other departments in the health budget
Despite grappling with the Covid-19 pandemic for over a year, allocations towards health-related programmes in the Budget have been “misrepresented”, according to the Jan Swasthya Abhiyan (People’s Health Movement, India).
Pointing to the 137 per cent increase in healthcare allocation, JSA said, “the reality was exactly opposite”, and the government had lost an opportunity to strengthen the health system.
According to the Finance Minister, allocations for health and well-being have been increased from ₹94,452 crore to ₹2,23,846 crore, the note said. But this included allocations for Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation under the Ministry of Jal Shakti; Allocations for POSHAN Abhiyan (National Nutrition Mission) under Ministry of Women and Child Development; Grants to Drinking Water and Sanitation, and health by the Fifteenth Finance Commission, and the allocation for Covid-19 vaccination.