The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : YSR takes Health Department officials to task

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Sep 27, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

YSR takes Health Department officials to task

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, SEPT. 26. The Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, on Sunday came down heavily on the functioning of the Medical and Health Department following reports of inordinate delay in release of funds towards payments and user charges and sought a detailed status report within two days.

Reviewing matters pertaining to payment of stipend to house surgeons and salaries to contract nurses, release of funds to Government hospitals towards withdrawal of user charges, the Chief Minister wondered whether there was any accountability at any level with regard to overall functioning of the department.

Officials tried to explain to him that funds were received by the hospital under the Andhra Pradesh Vaidya Vidhana Parishad and pointed out to technical snags coming in the way of release of funds.

Officials rapped

Admonishing officials for some lapses, Dr. Reddy said: "In spite of the release of Rs. 8 crores in the last week of August towards replenishment of user charges, some hospitals are not able to give confidence to people that they are financially equipped to provide services. Where does the problem lie?"

Blaming lack of commitment of the staff at various levels, he said quick action was not being taken to sort out bottlenecks and ensure payments. He warned officers concerned that if funds towards the user charges were not remitted to hospitals and payments of salaries to contract nurses and stipend to house surgeons were not paid by October 1, it would be treated as dereliction of duty.

He asked the Finance Department to take immediate steps to ensure payment of pension to the aged and handicapped by first of every month. Funds to educational institutions enjoying grant-in-aid should be released before first of every month, he directed officials.

The Chief Minister asked officials to tackle the dengue menace on a war-footing. He expressed dissatisfaction over failure of the administration in motivating local bodies to identify larvae-generating areas.

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