Chandigarh: The Haryana govt on Sunday claimed 2,157 gram panchayats, accounting for 35% of the state’s total 6,237 panchayats, were found eligible for TB-free certification in 2025 after verification. This was stated by additional chief secretary, health and family welfare department, Dr Sumita Misra.The TB Mukt Panchayat initiative was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on World TB Day on March 24, 2023, at Varanasi. The objective of the initiative is to empower Panchayati Raj Institutions to understand the extent and magnitude of problems associated with tuberculosis, take necessary actions towards solving them, and create healthy competition among panchayats while appreciating their contribution towards TB elimination.Dr Misra said the growth in TB-free panchayat certifications over the past 3 years reflected the increasing momentum of the programme at the grassroots level. In 2023, the state secured 574 certifications, all in the Bronze category, accounting for just 9% of total panchayats. By 2024, this figure nearly tripled to 1,855 panchayats, comprising 1,542 Bronze and 313 Silver certifications, covering 30% of the state’s panchayats. In 2025, the tally rose further to 2,157 eligible panchayats, covering 35% of the total.Dr Misra explained that the initiative follows a 3-tier certification structure. Panchayats maintaining TB-free status for the 1st year are eligible for bronze certification, those maintaining it for 2 consecutive years receive silver certification, and those sustaining it for 3 consecutive years are awarded gold certification. Certificates are issued annually on World TB Day, March 24, by the deputy commissioner, with 1-year validity. Six indicators are used for submission and verification of claims, which are validated by the district development and panchayati raj officer, civil surgeon, and deputy civil surgeon before a panchayat can be declared TB-free.Of the 2,157 panchayats found eligible in 2025, 211 qualified for Gold status, 646 for Silver status, and 1,300 for Bronze status. Dr Misra emphasised that the eligibility of panchayats is verified and validated through a structured 3-tier mechanism involving the district development and panchayati raj officer, the civil surgeon, and the deputy civil surgeon TB of another district. This verification process ensures that only those panchayats that genuinely meet all 6 prescribed indicators (as per govt of India) are certified as TB-free, lending credibility and integrity to the programme.MSID:: 129588522 413 |
