YSRCP fears Rs 1,500 crore fund loss over tiff with Centre on projects credit

Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Bharti Pawar, who visited hospitals in Andhra Pradesh, said she is upset due to absence of logos of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the central government in boards and complained over the issue.

Amaravati:The BJP-led governent in the Centre is at loggerheads with the ruling YSR Congress party government in Andhra Pradesh over the latter's alleged attempt to take credit for the central government funds by preferring photograph of CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy's on leaflets and adverstisments of schemes over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's images.

The strained relationship between two governemnt's may impact the release of Rs 1,500 crore, sources said. In the financial year 2023-24, Rs.4,047 crore is due from the central government under special assistance for health, housing and other departments.

Out of the amount, Rs.1,500 crore is expected to be released to the health department. Sources said central government logos and photos of the Prime Minister were not given due importance. Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Bharti Pawar, who visited hospitals in Andhra Pradesh, said she did not find absence of logos of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the central government and complained over the issue.

The central government is also providing financial support to the patients through Arogyasree under Ayushman Bharat. However, Bharti Pawar was angry that there was no central government logo and Prime Minister's photo and asked the central authorities to take action on this.

Recently, the central government has written to the state that the funds will be stopped due to absence of boards with logos and photos of Prime Minister Modi at the boards of the sites of health centers. The state has requested the Center to release Rs.4,047 crores. Sources said a department-wise details will be collected and a comprehensive report will be sent to the central government in this regard.