Court slams vague state affidavit; demands detailed audit on healthcare spending and staffing gaps in PHCs
Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh High Court has raised serious concerns over the alleged mismanagement of ₹521.68 crore allocated under the National Health Mission (NHM) for the fiscal year 2024–25. During a recent hearing, the court criticized the affidavit submitted by the State Health Secretary, calling it vague and lacking clarity on how the funds were used to strengthen healthcare services and infrastructure across the state.
In a strong directive, a division bench comprising Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and Justice Ranjan Sharma instructed the Central Government to verify the state’s expenditure claims and submit a comprehensive report within four weeks.
The case is being heard in the context of a critical shortage of doctors at Primary Health Centres (PHCs), especially in rural Himachal Pradesh. The bench emphasized the need for transparency and accountability, pointing out that rural communities continue to suffer due to poor access to medical services.
“The affidavit fails to clearly explain how the ₹521.68 crore enhanced public health outcomes,” the court observed, while asking the Centre to scrutinize the state’s utilization of funds and submit factual findings, reported Himachal Headlines.
The court also examined the December 2024 transfer of 93 medical officers, seeking details on:
- How many doctors joined their new postings
- How many failed to report
- Whether disciplinary actions were taken
- Why 21 transfers were later cancelled
As per the state’s affidavit, only 11 doctors were reassigned, 32 transfers were cancelled, and at least 43 PHCs are still without doctors. The government claimed to have appointed 11 new doctors between March and June 2025, but the court highlighted a shortfall of 32 medical officers that remains unaddressed.
The bench made it clear that the state must provide a full explanation for the cancelled transfers and the ongoing staffing deficiencies. It also reiterated the importance of judicious use of centrally funded health schemes like the NHM, especially when lives in remote regions depend on it.
The next hearing is scheduled after four weeks, by which time the Central Government’s verification report on fund utilization and staffing is expected to be submitted.
