Maharashtra govt approves Rs 1.22 crore for snake venom rapid test kits

The Maharashtra government has approved the release and expenditure of Rs 1.22 crore to procure snake venom rapid test kits for public health institutions during the 2026-27 financial year. A government resolution in this regard was issued on Thursday.

The Public Health Department said Rs 1,22,83,000 has been sanctioned under the relevant budget head for the procurement of the diagnostic kits through the single-source procurement method. The move is part of an earlier administrative approval of Rs 6.14 crore for procuring Snake Venom Rapid Test Kits for government health institutions in the state.

According to the government resolution, the present sanction is for the release of 20 per cent of the approved amount, which had been made available by the Finance Department through the budget distribution system. The government has authorised the Administrative Officer in the Commissionerate of Health Services as the drawing and disbursing officer, while the Joint Director of Health Services (Finance and Administration), Mumbai, will act as the controlling officer for the grant.

The Chief Accounts and Finance Officer of the Maharashtra Medical Goods Procurement Authority has been authorised to receive the funds and ensure they are used only for the approved purpose. The authority has also been directed to submit utilisation certificates and progress reports to the state government after the expenditure.

"The expenditure would be met from the budgetary provision earmarked for the Maharashtra Medical Goods Procurement Authority for the purchase of medicines, medical supplies, equipment and essential devices during the current financial year," the resolution said.

Recently, Maharashtra Health Minister Prakash Abitkar told the legislature that the government had decided to introduce anti-snake venom diagnostic kits at primary health centres so that doctors can quickly determine whether a snakebite is from a venomous or non-venomous snake.

The Maharashtra government has approved the release and expenditure of Rs 1.22 crore to procure snake venom rapid test kits for public health institutions during the 2026-27 financial year. A government resolution in this regard was issued on Thursday.

The Public Health Department said Rs 1,22,83,000 has been sanctioned under the relevant budget head for the procurement of the diagnostic kits through the single-source procurement method. The move is part of an earlier administrative approval of Rs 6.14 crore for procuring Snake Venom Rapid Test Kits for government health institutions in the state.

According to the government resolution, the present sanction is for the release of 20 per cent of the approved amount, which had been made available by the Finance Department through the budget distribution system. The government has authorised the Administrative Officer in the Commissionerate of Health Services as the drawing and disbursing officer, while the Joint Director of Health Services (Finance and Administration), Mumbai, will act as the controlling officer for the grant.

The Chief Accounts and Finance Officer of the Maharashtra Medical Goods Procurement Authority has been authorised to receive the funds and ensure they are used only for the approved purpose. The authority has also been directed to submit utilisation certificates and progress reports to the state government after the expenditure.

"The expenditure would be met from the budgetary provision earmarked for the Maharashtra Medical Goods Procurement Authority for the purchase of medicines, medical supplies, equipment and essential devices during the current financial year," the resolution said.

Recently, Maharashtra Health Minister Prakash Abitkar told the legislature that the government had decided to introduce anti-snake venom diagnostic kits at primary health centres so that doctors can quickly determine whether a snakebite is from a venomous or non-venomous snake.