TN delegation to Delhi to finalise state's NRHM fund

Chennai, Mar 1 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Health Minister M R K Panneerselvam would lead an official delegation to New Delhi to finalise the state's financial outlay under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM).

Talking to reporters after a review meeting on implementation of NRHM schemes in the state, Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss said Mr Panneerselvam would visit New Delhi on March 7 to finalise the fund allocation under the Programme Implementation Plan of the NRHM.

Under the NRHM, Tamil Nadu had been allotted Rs 1,043 crore in the past three years. ''Last year, the state got Rs 433 crore and this year it had sought more allocation'', he added.

Mr Panneerselvam, who was also present, said the state had sought an increased allocation of Rs 780 crore this year.

''We are hopeful of getting higher allocation, since the Union Minister himself has lauded the state for implementing the programme well,'' he said, adding that he would be accompanied by Health Secretary V K Subburaj, Health Department Director and other officials from the state.

Dr Ramadoss said the programme, launched two and a half years back in 18 focussed states, was being implemented well in the state.

''Global experts and those in the UN have hailed the programme and said it should be replicated across the world and also in developed countries''.

Asked whether he was satisfied with the funds allocated in the Budget for his Ministry, he said,''We would like to have more allocations. But the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister have assured that funds would not be a constraint in launching various programmes of the Health Ministry,'' he added.

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