A recent report from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has revealed that Tamil Nadu failed to utilize ₹265 crore from the COVID-19 relief funds allocated to the state.Unused COVID-19 Funds:
Tamil Nadu received a total of ₹1,787.48 crore in COVID-19 relief funds, comprising ₹1,435.59 crore from the Central government and ₹351.89 crore from the state government. Out of this, ₹1,522.75 crore was spent, leaving ₹264.73 crore unused.
The report highlighted inefficiencies in procurement practices. For instance, if the state had purchased N-95 masks in bulk, it could have saved ₹82.95 lakh.
The report noted a significant shortage of healthcare personnel in the Directorate of Family Welfare. Key positions such as extension educators, health assistants, female health inspectors, and maternal and child welfare officers had more than 75% vacancy rates.
Delays in Recruitment
Despite establishing a special recruitment board to hire medical staff, delays were observed in filling critical positions. Additionally, many posts under the Directorate of Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy remained vacant, impacting the government’s efforts to promote alternative medicine.
Unused Medical Equipment
Of the 3,757 oxygen concentrators provided by the Central government, 147 remained unused.
The CAG emphasized the need for the Tamil Nadu government to ensure adequate staffing to efficiently implement family welfare programs. The report also stressed improving procurement processes and utilizing available resources to avoid inefficiencies in future healthcare emergencies.
Funds for COVID-19 relief in Tamil Nadu were managed by the National Health Mission and included contributions from the Central and State governments, the State Disaster Relief Fund, PM CARES, and the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
The unutilized funds and unused medical equipment raise concerns about the efficiency of resource management during the pandemic. Addressing these gaps is crucial to ensuring better preparedness for future health crises.