New Delhi, Feb 28 (IANS) The Indian health budget Saturday saw a dip of 5.7 percent with the Narendra Modi government Saturday announcing an outlay of Rs.33,152 crore for the sector, giving special emphasis to the promotion and development of AYUSH, the country's traditional methods of medicines.
The ministry of ayurveda, yoga and naturopathy, unani, siddha and homeopathy (AYUSH) was allotted Rs.1,214 crore. AYUSH till last year was a department under the health ministry, but was carved out as a separate ministry last year by the Modi government which believes in promoting India's ancient methods of treatment.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley while presenting the union budget in the Lok Sabha said that the health sector has been allotted Rs. 33,152 crore.
The budgetary allocation decreased by 5.7 percent as in the last fiscal it stood at Rs. 35,163 crore.
The department of health research under the health ministry got a hike of 9.2 percent with Rs.1,018.17 crore allotted to it compared to last year's Rs.932 crore, whereas the department of health and family welfare got a hike of a mere two percent as Rs.29,653 crore earmarked this year as compared to Rs.29,042 crore last fiscal.
The department of AIDS control also got a hike of just 7.4 percent. It was allotted Rs.1,397 crore this fiscal compared to Rs.1,300 crore last year.
The government also proposed to set up six more AIIMS like institutes in the country to improve the public health system in the country.
"In the fiscal year 2015-16, I propose to set up All India Institutes of Medical Sciences in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh and Assam," Jaitley said.
"Keeping in view the need to augment medical sciences in Bihar, I propose to set up another AIIMS-like institution in these states," he added.
With six more AIIMS-like institutes, the number of such super specialty institutes has gone up to 14 in the country.
The institutes have been named after the Delhi-based All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS), which became functional in 1956 as an autonomous institution through an act of parliament to serve as a nucleus for nurturing excellence in all aspects of health care.
With the major budget earmarked to AYUSH, the government said the objective is to develop and promote the Indian systems of medicines in an organised and scientific manner.
Terming the budget as balanced, progressive, pragmatic and pro-people, Health and Family Welfare minister J.P. Nadda said "the budget will lead to all around social and economic development that is inclusive and outcome oriented".
He said "the resolve to support the health sector in a big way has been shown by the outlay for health in the budget of Rs.33,150 crore".
"Moreover, announcement of five AIIMS in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Assam and Tamil Nadu and AIIMS-like institute in Bihar will provide a quantum jump in healthcare in these states and the neighbouring areas," he added.
He assured that the ministry will implement these in the shortest possible time.
The announcements of various mechanisms in expanding the healthcare insurance to the needy is a laudable step towards making healthcare affordable and accessible to all, he added.
Who is Justice Sanjiv Khanna who will replace DY Chandrachud as Chief Justice today?
Justice Sanjiv Khanna will be sworn in as the 51st Chief Justice of India (CJI) on Monday at a ceremony presided over by President Draupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The ceremony will begin at 10
Intelligence Bureau: Tapan Kumar Deka becomes Intelligence Bureau chief, Raw Chief Samant gets one year extension
Intelligence Bureau: Tapan Kumar Deka, a senior officer of the Indian Police Service (IPS), has been made the head of the Intelligence Bureau. According to an official order issued by the Ministry of
We do not know to what extent India is in the grip of Covid 19
India is entering the 9th month of the epidemic with 5 million cases of Covid-19. Here the cases of infection are second only to America - and more than 80 thousand people have lost their lives.
Ayodhya Ram Mandir: 392 pillars, 44 doors, and 161 feet height...built in Nagara style; Know the special features of Ram temple
Preparations are being finalized for the consecration of Ram Lalla to be held in Ayodhya on 22 January. The grand temple of Lord Shri Ram is ready in Ayodhya. Out of the three statues of Ramlala, one
Petrol Diesel Price: Oil companies have released the prices of petrol and diesel, know how much are the prices in your city
Oil companies have released the prices of petrol and diesel for today. Today companies have not made any change in oil prices. Recently, the government announced to reduce the prices of petrol and
Khan Sir Marriage: On whose formula did Khan Sir marry secretly? The bride was shown at the reception and told the secret.
After the wedding of the country's well-known teacher and YouTuber Khan, now his reception (banquet) is being discussed a lot. The photos and videos related to this are also becoming very viral on
Budget session may start ahead of time due to Corona, Parliamentary Affairs Minister writes letter to the speaker
The farmers' movement in the country and the transition to Corona continue simultaneously. Meanwhile, the news is coming that the budget session of Parliament may start before the next year, but the
PM Narendra Modi: PM Modi inaugurates Bharatiya Shiksha Samagam, releases first installment of PMShri scheme; know what said
Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan reached Bharat Mandapam at Pragati Maidan on the occasion of the completion of 3 years of National Education Policy
Undeterred Mooney's sole focus on beating Pakistan
Adelaide, March 12 (IANS) Ireland's pacer John Mooney on Thursday said he is not affected by a Zimbabwean newspaper article that his country's cricket board has slammed as a "vicious personal
Suspense on Hardik Pandya in T20 World Cup: Pandya may be out from Team India; Anyone can get entry in Vacantesh, Deepak and Shardul
Doubt remains on Hardik Pandya's inclusion in the team in the T20 World Cup. However, today the Board of Control for Cricket in India can decide on this. According to media reports, the Board of
