Technical glitches mar scheme for TB patients

Manav Mander

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, October 31

Tuberculosis (TB) patients in the district have been unable to draw benefits from the “Nikshay Poshan Yojana”. Under the scheme, TB patients get Rs 500 as financial assistance every month for nutrition. However, from the last one-and-a-half month, the beneficiaries have not received any monetary assistance.

Inder Kumar, a TB patient said, “Earlier, I received allowance every month but since last month, I have not received the money in my bank account. Though the amount is small, it means a lot for poor person like me. I use the money to buy eggs and milk but failed to do so last month.”

A patient who wanted to get enrolled under the scheme said he had provided all his details to the department concerned but his name has not been registered yet.

Another TB patient on condition of anonymity said, “I have submitted my details with the department but my name has still not been registered. Being a TB patient, the amount financial help means a lot to me.”

District TB officer Dr Ashish Chawla said, “The patients who give their details are checked by the system. If the information is found correct they are enrolled. Patients’ names are registered on Nikshay portal.”

“The portal is being transferred to cloud. As a result, there are some technical glitches and patients are unable to receive monthly benefits. The patients applying for registeration must have active bank accounts or else they will not get registered,” he said.

Dr Chawla added that in case details of even one patient would be incorrect, the computer rejects the entire list and the entire process needs to be done again.