The Union Government has approved an additional budget of Rs. 28.13 crores for Uttarakhand to strengthen health facilities for the pilgrims of Char Dham Yatra.
Health Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister and the Union Health Minister for the additional budget. Rawat stated that the state government had submitted an additional budget proposal of Rs. 32.85 crores to the Centre last month under the National Health Mission Programme to strengthen the health facilities at the Char Dham and to provide accessible medical services to the Char Dham Pilgrims. Accepting the proposal of the State Government, the Union Health Minister has approved the additional budget of Rs. 28.13 crores.
He said that under the additionally approved budget several decisions have been taken. A Cardiac Cath Lab will be established at Srinagar Medical college. Besides this, a high tech well equipped operation theatre will be set up there. The Cardiac Cath Lab in Srinagar Medical college will be set up at an expenditure of Rs. 8 crores. In addition, an amount of Rs. 1 crore has been approved to set up a modern operation theatre at the medical college and Rs. 1.62 crore has been sanctioned for appointment of manpower necessary for operation of the Cardiac Cath Lab.
Dr. Rawat reminded that for the first time the Centre has approved additional funds to strengthen the health services for the Char Dham Yatra. Apart from this, an amount of Rs. 16.47 crores has been approved as incentive allowance for doctors, nurses, paramedical staff and class IV personnel deputed on Char Dham Yatra Duty. The Centre has also approved the deployment of 100 Swasthaya Mitras and for this an amount of Rs. 1 crore has been sanctioned .
