New Delhi, Jan 4 (Agency) The central government on Tuesday said 50 per cent amount of the Emergency Response & Health System Preparedness Package (ECRP-II) has been released to the states and union territories to deal with the corona situation and its impact. The Union Health ministry has denied some media reports claiming that only 26 per cent of the amount has been released so far. The ministry termed such news as false and misleading, saying these are not based on facts. The ministry said that this amount was released by August 24 last year.
In July last year, the government had announced Rs 23 thousand 123 crore Covid Emergency Response and Health System Preparedness Package – Phase II. Under this, the share of the Center is Rs 1500 crore and the share of the states is Rs 8,123 crore. The fund aiming to accelerate health system preparedness for immediate responsiveness for early prevention, detection and management, with a focus on health infrastructure development including for Paediatric Care and with measurable outcomes. At the beginning of the scheme, 15 per cent amount was released immediately by the Centre. Subsequently, the next installment was released in August. So far under this scheme, States and Union Territories have spent Rs 1,679.05 crore.