The Hindu : National : Health insurance soon for poor: Manmohan

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Aug 31, 2007
ePaper

National

National

Health insurance soon for poor: Manmohan

Special Correspondent

Bid to ensure a minimum level of social
safety for all
Credit flow to SME sector to be doubled
within 5 years

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday said his government was working on a scheme to provide health insurance for the poor, besides offering life and disability cover to one earning member of each economically weaker family.

“These measures, along with pension to all citizens above 65 years and living below the poverty line, would help the poor cope with distressed times,” Dr. Singh said after giving away national awards for micro, small and medium enterprises.

While observing that “through these initiatives, we intend to ensure a minimum level of social safety for all of them [poor families],” Dr. Singh said the health insurance model would help the poor bear the high cost of medicare while the life and disability cover would enable them to “get over the consequences of injury or death.”

Underlining the importance of the role of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in providing employment to over 60 million people, he said the government intended to fund polytechnics and industrial training institutes to address the demand for skilled manpower.

The government hoped to double the credit flow to the SME sector within five years, he said and asked banks and financial institutions to support them, especially through risk and venture capital. The government had set up a Credit Guarantee Fund to provide relief to the small units, which are unable to pledge collateral securities.

The government, he said, was open to new ideas on how industrialisation could be spread across the country and encourage new enterprises in the SME sector. “I invite all enterprises in this sector to pay greater attention to quality, reduction of cost and to the welfare of your employees and workers.”

Reaffirms commitment

The Prime Minister also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to their growth and progress in years to come. He reminded the entrepreneurs that “international experience shows it is possible for SMEs to remain competitive” even in an increasingly integrated global market.

“I do believe that the SMEs have demonstrated their ability to be globally competitive. The National Manufacturing Competitiveness Council has also recognised this fact and come forward with new ideas to further enhance the competitiveness of the sector,” he said, referring to the fact that the SMEs had done well in terms of their share in exports, showing that it was a globally competitive sector.

Dr. Singh hoped that a statutory board for micro, small and medium enterprises would help the enterprises become more competitive and efficient.

Small Scale Industries Minister Mahavir Prasad said the steps taken by the government had led to increased credibility of micro, small and medium enterprises at the global level.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National