Delhi Helping Bengal with Funds in Health Sector, Kolkata Must Execute the Projects: Raju Bista

BIKASH CHETRY, EOI, GUWAHATI, DEC 13, 2025: More than Rs 8,652 crore have been released to West Bengal under the National Health Mission between the financial years 2019–20 and 2025–26, up to November 19 this year, Darjeeling MP Raju Bista said on Friday, quoting replies provided by Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav to his questions in Lok Sabha.

He said this showed that the Centre has been consistently supporting West Bengal in expanding health services and upgrading facilities. He said the reply provided by the Minister of State clearly explained the status of primary health centres, health sub-centres, community health centres, and health and wellness centres across the state, and also highlighted the scale of funds released to improve public health services.

Bista said this openness from the government would help push for stronger healthcare facilities in the state. Bista said under the 15th Finance Commission health grants, West Bengal had been approved a total of Rs 4,318.63 crore for the years 2021–22 to 2025–26. This funding was meant to build new health units and strengthen existing ones, covering a wide range of health facilities.

He said the scale of financial approval reflected the Centre’s intention to improve both rural and urban healthcare infrastructure across the state. He said the Centre had also sanctioned Rs 1,309.32 crore for West Bengal under the PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission. These projects were important because they would help district hospitals and rural health institutions deal with emergencies, improve testing capacity, and expand access to essential healthcare services.

Bista said Darjeeling has received approval for an Integrated Public Health Lab worth Rs 1.25 crore and a Critical Care Block worth Rs 23.75 crore. Kalimpong had also been sanctioned an Integrated Public Health Lab worth Rs 1.25 crore. According to him, these approvals were important for improving healthcare in the hills, where the terrain made access to quality treatment difficult. He said the new facilities would strengthen critical care and diagnostics systems in both districts and help the region respond better to health emergencies.

Bista said that while the Centre was providing funds and approvals, the responsibility of carrying out the work was with the West Bengal government. He urged the state authorities to prioritise these projects and give block-wise updates so people would track progress.