Parl panel warns Budget cuts may hurt Ayush Ministry’s health schemes
A parliamentary panel has raised concerns over the reduced budget estimates for the Ayush Ministry in 2025-26, warning that the funding shortfall could negatively impact health schemes and projects.
According to the report by the parliamentary standing committee, chaired by Rajya Sabha MP Ram Gopal Yadav, the ministry projected demand of Rs 5,408.48 crore for 2025-26 against which an amount of Rs 3992.9 crore has been allocated in budget estimates, creating a deficit of ₹1,415.58 crore. The committee expressed apprehension that this reduced allocation would hinder the ministry’s ability to implement its originally planned initiatives.
The report further pointed out that despite previous recommendations in its 108th and 128th reports to allocate 5% and 10% of the total health budget to Ayush, the allocation has been steadily decreasing since 2023-24. In comparison, the budget for the Department of Health and Family Welfare has continued to grow. The committee urged the ministry to submit stronger proposals to the Ministry of Finance, backed by well-planned schemes, to justify an increased budgetary allocation.
A major concern highlighted in the report was the ministry’s limited financial resources to expand AYUSH services in underserved and remote areas.
“The need to establish integrated AYUSH hospitals in many districts has a high financial requirement. The committee also observes that the ministry is not fully utilising the funds allocated to it. It is crucial to optimise resource utilisation by implementing strategies that improve the efficiency and effectiveness of existing programs, focusing on high-impact interventions in priority areas, and establishing robust tracking systems to monitor spending and identify the most effective resource allocation,” the report said.
The panel also suggested that a strategic approach to infrastructure expansion is necessary wherein the integrated AYUSH hospitals in underserved districts through a phased approach should be established.
The National Ayush Mission (NAM), being a centrally sponsored scheme where Center and States have fund share like 60% and 40%.
The panel, in the report mentioned that some states and Union Territories (UTs) had expressed their inability to contribute their share.
To address this issue, the committee suggested that the ministry provide financial assistance schemes to help states and UTs participate in NAM. It also urged the Ayush Ministry to work with the Ministry of Finance to revise the Centre-State contribution ratio to 70:30, making it easier for states to join the initiative.
