In a stern move addressing the sluggish progress of Ayushman card creation, the Kanpur district administration has taken a firm stand against underperforming officials. During a crucial review meeting held on Tuesday, District Magistrate Jitendra Pratap Singh voiced strong dissatisfaction with the performance of medical officers-in-charge (MOICs) from Shivrajpur, Bilhaur, and Bhitargaon areas. Consequently, the administration has ordered the issuance of show-cause notices against these officers, signaling a no-tolerance policy towards negligence in this vital public welfare initiative.
Ayushman Card Campaign Declared a Priority
Chairing the meeting, DM Jitendra Pratap Singh emphasized that the Ayushman card programme is not just another scheme but a life-saving public welfare measure. He made it clear that any laxity at any level would invite strict accountability from the administration. "This is a priority campaign. Negligence will not be tolerated," he asserted, underscoring the critical importance of timely card issuance for eligible beneficiaries.
Alarming Statistics and Immediate Directives
The review revealed concerning figures, with only 7,258 new Ayushman cards created so far in January, a pace deemed unacceptable by the district leadership. Directing officials to run the campaign on a war footing, the DM ordered that cards for all remaining eligible beneficiaries be issued without any further delay. He issued a clear warning that progress would be reviewed again on February 3, and any unsatisfactory performance would lead to strict administrative action, potentially including disciplinary measures.
Overall Achievements and Senior Citizen Focus
Despite the recent slowdown, officials informed the DM that a total of 8,64,021 Ayushman cards have been issued in Kanpur Nagar district overall. Under the Vaya Vandana Yojana, which targets senior citizens, 79,533 Ayushman cards have been issued to individuals above 70 years of age. This achievement places Kanpur Nagar at the top position in the state for this category, highlighting past successes that the administration aims to build upon with renewed vigor.
Budget Utilization Under Scrutiny
The meeting also delved into the status of budget utilization in urban primary health centers (UPHCs) under the Jan Arogya Samiti. Here, the DM expressed strong displeasure over poor spending, revealing a pattern of gross underutilization of funds. Specific centers identified for poor performance include Gwaltoli, Juhi, Jageshwar, Benajhabar, Sarvodaya Nagar, and Anwarganj UPHCs. The situation at Rambagh UPHC was termed particularly serious, with complete non-utilization of funds labeled as grave negligence.
Accountability for Financial Mismanagement
Directing the chief medical officer to write to the government regarding the unsatisfactory fund utilization by these seven UPHCs, the DM stressed that the money is intended for enhancing patient facilities, improving treatment arrangements, and boosting the quality of healthcare services. He issued a stern warning that henceforth, personal accountability of concerned officials would be fixed for any financial or administrative negligence, ensuring that lapses do not go unaddressed.
The meeting was attended by key health officials, including Chief Medical Officer Dr. Haridatt Nemi and Deputy CMO R.P. Yadav, among others, who are now tasked with implementing the DM's directives to accelerate Ayushman card creation and ensure proper fund utilization in healthcare centers across the district.
