CAG Report Reveals Non-Functional PM CARES Oxygen Plants in West Bengal Hospitals

Kolkata, India Jul 26, 2026 ALN: Kolkata: A report from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has raised serious concerns regarding the operational status of Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) oxygen plants installed in West Bengal under the PM CARES Fund. As of December 2023, more than half of these plants were either uncommissioned or non-functional, highlighting significant deficiencies in the state's public health infrastructure during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The report indicates that out of the 75 PSA oxygen plants supplied under PM CARES and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, only 32 were operational. The remaining 43 plants were either yet to be commissioned or were non-functional. This situation is alarming, especially considering the critical role these facilities were intended to play in enhancing healthcare capacity during the pandemic. The need for such facilities was particularly pronounced during the peak periods of COVID-19 when hospitals were overwhelmed with patients requiring supplemental oxygen.

The establishment of PSA oxygen plants was part of a broader strategy to improve healthcare infrastructure across India, particularly in states like West Bengal, which faced severe challenges during the pandemic. The PM CARES Fund was set up in March 2020 to provide relief during the COVID-19 crisis, with a focus on strengthening healthcare systems. However, the CAG's findings suggest that the implementation of these initiatives has not met the expectations set forth by policymakers and public health officials.

In addition to the issues with the oxygen plants, the CAG report pointed out that ventilators and oxygen concentrators provided to government hospitals were found lying idle. At the Critical Care Medicine Department of SSKM Medical College and Hospital, five ventilators received under the PM CARES Fund were reported as non-operational due to a lack of necessary consumables. Furthermore, three additional ventilators were discovered packed away in the hospital's storage. This raises serious questions about the management of critical medical equipment, particularly in a time when healthcare systems are under immense pressure to respond to emergencies.

At Raiganj Medical College and Hospital, the audit revealed that 17 ICU ventilators, also funded by PM CARES, remained non-functional due to the non-operation of the High Dependency Unit. Additionally, five oxygen concentrators were found unused in the hospital's store. This raises questions about the management and utilization of critical medical equipment intended for emergency situations. The failure to utilize these resources effectively not only reflects poorly on the management of healthcare facilities but also signifies a missed opportunity to save lives during critical moments.

The CAG report also highlighted financial mismanagement, noting that a substantial portion of COVID-related funds remained unspent. Specifically, Rs 659.28 crore (approximately 65 percent) of the total amount released under the Emergency COVID Response Package-II (ECRP-II) was unutilized as of March 2022. Furthermore, Rs 462.05 crore allocated as state COVID untied funds, meant to address pandemic responses not covered by central packages, also remained unspent. This underutilization of funds raises concerns about the planning and execution of pandemic response strategies by the state government.

The findings are part of a broader audit examining public health infrastructure and the management of health services in West Bengal, which was tabled in the Assembly on Friday. Notably, the previous Trinamool Congress (TMC) government had failed to present CAG reports for four fiscal years up to 2024-25. The lack of transparency and accountability in presenting these reports has contributed to ongoing concerns regarding the management of public health resources in the state.

The report underscores the urgent need for accountability and transparency in the management of public health resources, especially in light of the ongoing challenges posed by the pandemic. The CAG has called for immediate action to ensure that the remaining PSA oxygen generation plants are made operational, as the lack of functional equipment could have dire consequences for patient care in the event of future health crises. The implications of these findings extend beyond mere statistics; they reflect a critical need for systemic improvements in healthcare delivery and emergency preparedness.

In response to the audit findings, the West Bengal Medical Services Corporation Ltd stated that the installation of the plants fell within the purview of the Union government and the concerned CSR agencies. They indicated that tenders had been invited to make the remaining plants functional. However, the CAG noted that there was no assurance regarding when these plants would become operational, leaving a critical gap in the state's healthcare preparedness. This situation highlights the complexities of intergovernmental coordination in health crisis management, where responsibilities may be shared across different levels of government and private entities.

The implications of the CAG report are significant, particularly in the context of ongoing discussions about public health investment and infrastructure development in India. As the nation continues to grapple with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the findings serve as a reminder of the importance of ensuring that investments in health infrastructure translate into tangible benefits for the population. The report may also prompt calls for greater oversight and reform in how public health funds are allocated and utilized, particularly in states that have faced significant challenges during the pandemic.

Furthermore, the report could lead to increased scrutiny of the performance of the West Bengal government and its health department, particularly as the state prepares for potential future health crises. The ability of healthcare systems to respond effectively to emergencies is contingent upon having the necessary resources and infrastructure in place, and the current findings suggest that West Bengal has significant work to do in this regard.

In conclusion, the CAG report on the non-functional PM CARES oxygen plants and the idle medical equipment in West Bengal hospitals reveals critical gaps in the state's healthcare preparedness. The urgent need for accountability and transparency in the management of public health resources cannot be overstated, especially as the world continues to navigate the complexities of the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath. The findings serve as a call to action for all stakeholders involved in public health to prioritize effective management and utilization of resources to ensure that the healthcare system is better equipped to handle future challenges.