Date:19/10/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/10/19/stories/2004101903261200.htm

National

Manmohan's directive to Family Welfare Ministry

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, OCT. 18. The Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, today asked the Department of Family Welfare under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to consult the 17 State Governments on its proposed Rural Health Mission programme. He asked the Ministry to hold a public debate on the issue and put on the website the proposal.

Dr. Singh's directive came during a presentation by the Union Health Minister, Anbumani Ramadoss, on the proposed Mission. The programme aims at putting in place health support structure in the north-eastern and north Indian States which have high infant and maternal mortality rates. .

The Finance Minister, P. Chidambaram, and the Deputy Chairperson of Planning Commission, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, were present during the presentation.