4ember 2007

Thanks: The Hindu
Investment in infrastructure to be hiked to 9 p.c. of GDP

NEW DELHI: The Centre proposes to raise the quantum of investment in the infrastructure sector to nine per cent of GDP (gross domestic product) within five years so as to achieve a high 9-10 per cent economic growth projected for the XI Plan (2007-12).

At a session on the prospects of achieving the projected growth rate titled ‘10 per cent growth: The infrastructure picture’ at the India Economic Summit here on Tuesday, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia said: “The Cabinet has recently approved the draft of the XI Plan which envisages an increase in infrastructure investment from five per cent of GDP to nine per cent.”

As per the Plan draft, the Government is envisaging an average GDP growth rate of nine per cent during the first four years of the Plan period and an increase to 10 per cent by the terminal year of the five-year Plan.

To achieve the projected level of funding in infrastructure, Dr Ahluwalia said the country would require an investment of $500 billion in the sector during the Plan period. Of this, the major chunk of $350 billion would be ploughed in as per the business-as-usual forecast, he said. In effect, the balance funding of $150 billion would be required to be arranged from various other sources, including the global financial market.

Dr. Ahluwalia felt that such a level of financing would not be a problem as “specific policies are in place for achieving a jump in investment”. In an optimistic note, Asian Development Bank (ADB) Managing Director-General Rajat Nag felt that it would be possible for India to exceed the Planning Commission’s target and raise the level of investment in infrastructure to 10.5-12.5 per cent of the GDP in the years to come.

Thanks: The Hindu
More people visiting primary health centres

CHENNAI: Funds have been allotted to 30 Primary Health Centres, including 10 in Tiruvallur district, for upgrading infrastructure to enable them to provide round-the-clock services.

Commissioner for Maternal, Child Health and Welfare Apoorva told mediapersons, who were taken on a tour of various facilities around Chennai on Tuesday, that more people now were seeking medical help in the PHCs. Pregnant mothers regularly visited ante-natal clinics, had access to modern medical equipment, improved laboratory and were provided nutritious snacks and lunch.

Women delivered of babies in the hospital will also have the opportunity to watch their favourite television serial.

Television sets have been installed in wards and in the O.P. sections in health sub centres.

The PHCs and sub-health centres in Tiruvallur district receive anywhere between 250 to 300 patients a day. A doctor and nurse are now on call round-the-clock in the PHCs.

At the peri-urban PHC, such as the one at Naravarikuppam in Red Hills nine women were delivered of babies since December 1. Doctors here said the number of deliveries increased from 35 last year to 65 this year. Around one or two per cent so far tested positive for HIV/AIDS. In the remote PHC at Budur, a child is born almost every day.

A village sub-centre such as the one at Pandikavanur, which caters to a population of about 2,000, about 110 patients are received at its weekly outreach programme. Counselling and testing for HIV/AIDS is offered.