Colour Branding Controversy Leads to Withholding of Health Mission Funds

Union Minister J P Nadda and TMC member Derek O' Brien debated over the withholding of Rs 828 crore in National Health Mission funds to West Bengal due to non-adherence to Union Government's colour branding guidelines. The issue has raised concerns about the impact on health benefits for the poor in Bengal.

Union Minister J P Nadda and Trinamool Congress (TMC) member Derek O' Brien engaged in a lively exchange in Rajya Sabha over the enforcement of colour branding guidelines for health and wellness centres, which has led to the withholding of National Health Mission (NHM) funds to West Bengal. Nadda humorously responded that the answer to the query would match O' Brien's grey hair colour.

During Question Hour, TMC's Saket Gokhale inquired whether Rs 828 crore had been withheld from West Bengal for not adhering to these guidelines, seeking a straightforward yes or no answer on the release of funds. Nadda replied that the release of funds depends on compliance with the guidelines.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene and remove the colour branding conditionalities, citing that the withholding of funds is depriving the poor of essential health benefits. She highlighted that around 11,000 functional health and wellness centres in the state currently serve over three lakh people daily.