Thursday, May 28

Delhi Health Minister denies any wrongdoings in building Arogya Mandirs

New Delhi, May 28 (IANS) Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh on Thursday dismissed media reports and speculative claims that alleged lapses in expenditure incurred on Ayushman Arogya Mandirs in Delhi, an official said.

“It is clarified that the development and operationalisation of these centres has been carried out strictly in accordance with the financial norms, technical guidelines and approved funding framework prescribed by the Government of India,” said the Health Minister

He said that the suggestion that existing health facilities were merely cosmetically altered or that expenditures exceed approved norms is factually incorrect.

The Minister said that under the Union government’s approved framework for Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, a fixed allocation model has been adopted for infrastructure strengthening and service enhancement.

“For each centre, Rs 25 lakh has been earmarked for infrastructure upgradation, while Rs1 lakh has been provided towards furniture, fixtures and essential functional requirements.

All works undertaken have been executed within these sanctioned parameters to improve service delivery, patient experience, diagnostic readiness and primary healthcare infrastructure.

During Financial Year 2025-26, a total of 370 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs were operationalised across Delhi under centrally sponsored healthcare schemes aimed at expanding accessible and preventive healthcare services.

The breakup of operational centres is: 244 Centres under PM-ABHIM (Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission) and 126 Centres under NHM (National Health Mission)

The Minister clarified that financial releases linked to these projects remain fully aligned with approved scheme provisions and utilisation norms. The actual funds released till date are: Rs 58.30 crore under PM-ABHIM and Rs 8.50 crore under NHM, taking the total Funds released: Re 66.80 crore.

–IANS

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