Karnataka - Hassan   

Social health activists to be deputed to all villages

Staff Correspondent

One lakh women to be appointed in the first phase

M.V. Rajasekharan

HASSAN: The Union Government, which is keen on implementing the National Rural Health Mission effectively, is planning to depute "accredited social health activists" to all villages, Union Minister of State for Planning, M.V. Rajasekharan said here on Friday.

Addressing presspersons, he said one lakh women will be appointed in the first phase.

The Government, he said, plans to upgrade primary health centres (PHCs) and taluk hospitals, and Rs. 1,20,000 crores has been earmarked for the implementation of the programme, which is aimed at reducing the infant and maternal mortality rates in rural areas and providing access to public health services to more people.

Mr. Rajasekharan said the Union Government has accorded priority to the Bharat Nirman Scheme, for which Rs. 1,74,000 crores has been earmarked. The Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, which has been sanctioned for 200 districts, will be extended to all regions in phases. About misuse of grain released under the "Food for work" scheme, he said the Government is consulting experts to plug loopholes. It is thinking of strengthening the Evidence Act, he added.

He admitted that the Railway Budget has not lived up to the expectations of the people of Karnataka.

A group of Congress leaders from the State met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and communicated the disappointment of the people.

Mr. Rajasekharan claimed the decision of the Congress President Sonia Gandhi to resign from the 14th Lok Sabha and as Chairperson of the National Advisory Council has proved that she is the greatest leader in the country.

On the stand of the Congress with regard to the candidature of Jnanpith award winner U.R. Ananthamurthy in the Rajya Sabha elections, he said the issue is before party high command and a decision will be taken shortly.

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