India, Feb. 28 -- PUNE Shiv Sena leader and deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde's ambitious initiative to introduce mechanised cleaning services in public healthcare facilities has been stalled due to a lack of funds.

The public health department, which was previously held by then minister and Shiv Sena leader Tanaji Sawant, has directed all hospital heads to halt mechanised cleaning and refrain from initiating new cleaning services until funds are allocated, officials said.

The state had planned to implement mechanised cleaning in government hospitals and Primary Health Centres (PHCs) for three years (2022-23 to 2024-25), as per a Government Resolution (GR) dated September 18, 2023. Subsequently, on September 13, 2024, the director of ...