LAHORE, Jan 19: Punjab Health Minister Dr Tahir Ali Javed has taken a strong notice of only 20 per cent utilization of the Rs3.61 billion health development budget for the 2005- 06 financial year. The minister has sought an explanation from the health secretary, additional secretaries, medical institutions’ principals and medical superintendents, besides EDOs for very low utilization of development budget during the first six and-a-half months.

He said he had also issued warning to all these officials that they would be removed if they failed to ensure at least 90 per cent utilization of the development budget by the end of the fiscal.

The minister was speaking at an open kutchery convened to listen to the common people’s grievances at the Muslim League House on Thursday.

The minister told the Muslim League office-bearers and workers that he had warned the health secretary as well as all additional secretaries that he would not tolerate lethargic attitude towards the utilization of development funds.

He said he had brought the whole situation into the knowledge of Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi. He said he would not adopt lenient attitude if these officials did not give up lethargy. “I have already talked to the chief minister for taking drastic decisions,” he added.

The minister also made it clear that he was not interested in the “tricky game of statistics” but wanted to see the output.

During the last three years, the minister said he had ensured 90 per cent utilization of health development budget. He said the health department officials must enhance the budget utilization to the tune of 90 per cent during the remaining five and-a-half months of the financial year. “This year, the health department officials’ attitude has disheartened me,” he commented.

The minister said he had called a meeting of the secretary, additional secretaries and Director-General Health Services, Punjab, on Friday (today) and a meeting of principals, medical superintendents and EDOs on Saturday (tomorrow) to discuss the budget utilization issue.

Dr Javed said he would personally monitor and ensure maximum utilization of the health development budget. He also said he would not tolerate negligence in providing healthcare services to the masses.

He also issued instructions to different hospitals’ medical superintendents for implementing directives regarding free treatment issued from the open kutcheries. He said only the needy approached ministers at open kutcheries and they needed to be attended sympathetically.

Meanwhile, talking to reporters, the health minister said the government would ensure the supply of quality medicines to the people and the relevant laws in this regard would be implemented in letter and spirit.