UPA’s pet project a non-starter

The UPA government’s health scheme for poor pregnant women- Janani Suraksha Yojna - launched by Sonia Gandhi amidst much fanfare last year has turned out to be non-starter. The medical assistance scheme was launched to bring down maternal and infant mortality rates.

Admitting the failure of the scheme to take off as desired, Union health and family welfare minister Ghulam Nabi Azad told DNA that even after the Centre sent funds to the states in time and provided them with all the support, there are no takers for the scheme.

Consequently, the health ministry has to shell out an additional Rs 160 crore, in a tie up with Information and Broadcasting ministry, for extensive publicity of the scheme.

Under Janani Suraksha Yojna, a pregnant woman and her new born get several benefits, including free transportation to and from hospital, blood transfusion, medicines, food and even cash transfer. “But no one is accessing the scheme due to lack of awareness. So, we have tied with I&B ministry for publicity,” Azad said.

Azad also said that in the wake of the National Rural Health Mission scam in UP, the Centre has decided to get the fund allocations audited by the CAG.