The
National Rural Health Mission was launched in the year 2005 by the honourable
Prime Minister and after it was launched, we wanted to know the effect of
the Mission on ground. With this end in view, from time to time, the
Members of the Review Commission visited different parts of the country.
The first Common Review Mission consisting of representatives from the Central
Government, State Governments and other representatives from outside Government
agencies, visited three States. The key findings were that increasing
access and improvement in quality reflected increasing utilization of the
facilities. There is a very good performance of the NHRM across the States. But
the States are lagging behind in utilization of funds and capacities to
absorb120 more funds and
deliver better services. But meanwhile in 2008, when the second Common Review
Mission consisting of 68 representatives140
visited another 13 States, the findings of that Mission were that there was
increase in public health services; increase in160 out-patients, increase in in-patients
and a sharp increase in institutional deliveries and greater utilization of
ancillary services like diagnosis and transport. Madam, what I mean to say is
that in the first two years, namely, in 2007 and in 2008, people were talking
about infrastructure; they were talking about human resources; but nobody was
talking about drugs, whether drugs were available or the drugs given were the
generic ones or the branded ones. It was in the third Common Review240 Mission in 2009 where 90 representatives
from Central Government, and NGOs visited over 17 States and Union Territories
and for the first time found that the thrust of the public was on drugs
instead of on equipment, infrastructure or280
human resource. Most States were sensitive to the availability of drugs. Almost
all the States reported improved availability of drugs and they also wanted
that generic drugs should be made available. I do not have much time but
I would like320 to
congratulate the State of Tamil Nadu for having the best system. Very recently,
the Governments of Haryana, Rajasthan, Assam and Chattisgarh have also taken
some steps whereby generic drugs will be provided to the common people because
it is360 very difficult
for common people to buy branded drugs.
Madam
Speaker, I would like to draw the attention of the House and of
the Union Government to a very sensitive and an important issue of paid news.
That means, if you give some money to the Press or media people, you can create
your news, which is being done420
in our newspapers and TV channel, which is undermining democracy and it is a
fraud on Indian people. It has already acquired a menacing proportion as
deposed by one of the Opposition leaders that it started out as an aberration
and went on to become a disease and is now an epidemic. The phenomenon of ‘paid
news’ traces back over many years.480
The Press Council of India recently did an investigation which revealed
that some of the biggest media groups in the country are involved in ‘paid
news’ practices. That report of the Press Council of India also said that the
phenomenon of ‘paid news’ goes beyond the corruption of individual journalists
and media companies. The report also said that ‘paid news’ has become
pervasive, structured and highly organized, and in the process is undermining
democracy in India. The report560
also indicated that the deception or fraud has three levels. First, the
publication or views of the Television programme is deceived into believing
that what is essentially an advertisement is taken to be as an independent
news. Second, by not officially declaring600
the expenditure by any candidate for a ‘paid news’, it is violating the Conduct
of Election Rules, 1961. Third, by not accounting the money received from candidates,
the concerned media company is violating the provisions of the Companies Act,
1956640 and the Income Tax
Act, 1961. I would like to make a demand to the Government that it should
activate the Election Commission of India to take proper action. The
Press Council of India and the Government of India must look into this serious
matter as the Press and media are being the Fourth Pillar of democracy. 700
Madam, I want to raise a very
important matter and urgent matter before this august House for its
consideration. As we are all720
aware, last year the Union Cabinet had introduced an innovative scheme
to waive interest on education loans. The scheme envisages providing full
subsidy on interest on loans taken by students belonging to economically weaker
sections from the banks under the Education Loan Scheme. This would definitely
help a large number of poor students who are availing loans from banks. Now,
the bank authorities are pressurizing students to make interest payment during
their course tenure, for the loans taken before800
April, 2009 saying they are not eligible for interest subsidy scheme. In fact,
it is a violation of policies framed for education loan. After the announcement
of interest subsidy on education loans, the parents who are availing education
loans840 did not pay interest
on their loans for the last few months. In view of above circumstances,
the bank authorities defer to issue next instalment of loans to student. This
would generate severe situations among banks and students. In such a situation
most of the students would be compelled to break off their education midway due
to financial problems. This situation will adversely affect the merit of this
notable scheme and the Government should intervene in this issue timely for
rescuing the future of lakhs of students in our country. Most of the students
belong to poor families and they do not have any source of paying higher rate
of interest. For those suffering students, this decision of the UPA Government960 to provide interest subsidy was a relief
from their hardships. As everyone is aware, the fee structure and cost980 of education is not affordable for
parents who are living in average living conditions. If this condition continues,
lakhs of students from economically weaker sections will lose their future.
Therefore, the Government should take urgent action to extend the range of
interest subsidy to all the students who are availing education loans
currently. The Government should also ensure immediate distribution of the
circular on the subsidy scheme, as it has not reached out to the banks
so far. Also, the Government should ensure speedy implementation of this
decision through apparent orders and instruct the banks via Indian Banks
Association.
I am very grateful1080 to the hon. Member for this question. I
must clarify one thing. We have an understanding with the Ministry of Power.
I think, without that, we cannot function. At the same time, I must make it
clear1120 to all the Members
of Parliament that it is basically the State that has to send the
projects and also implement the projects. The Central Government is here only in
the capacity of giving them assistance and, at the same time, providing all
the help that the State Governments need. Now as far as remote village
electrification is concerned, the Government of India is making efforts to
supplement the projects, but we need proposal from the State concerned.
Now the problem here1200 is
that in any State where we find that there is a
difficulty, we would have loved to have MPs do this in their areas, but it
is not possible. It is for the States to do this and for us to help them.
What I would request the Members of Parliament is that wherever there is a1260 possibility and they find that
the things are not being done or things are not working, they can send that1280 information to me and to the Ministry.
We will take it up with the State Government and try and see that it is done.
That is very important. We would like to assist the State Governments in a big
way so that people get electricity. That is the aim of the Government to
see that everybody in every village is able to have electricity. In these 60
years, we have 40 per cent of our population that does not know what the
power looks like. So, it is essential for us. This Ministry has God’s grace. We
have the God’s Sun; we have the God’s wind; and we have the water. We have all
facilities to be able to provide1400
it to the villages. My Ministry only needs your help so that we can make it
easier for your people to get this help. I can assure you that my Ministry
is working very closely with the Ministry of Environment1440 as well as with the Ministry of Power. We
have this difficulty. We want to set up power projects at several places
but there are forests and these forests make it difficult for many of
these projects to be put up. But we are trying to find a way with the
Ministry of Environment whereby we can give power to the people. I can assure
you that if you can write this to me, then I will take this up again
with the Ministry of Environment and see that the difficulties are removed. As
you have seen, the Government of India has taken a very strong view that every
Government building of the Government of India that will come up will be a
green building and it will have maximum use of renewable energy. At the
same time, if you look here in Delhi, a majority of the houses of the
MPs also have got solar water heating system. 1600
