The National Advisory Council, led by Sonia Gandhi, has expressed it unhappiness over the move to reduce the allocation to healthcare in the 12th Plan from the proposed 2.5 per cent to 1. 58 per cent. At a meeting on Friday, NAC members conveyed their concerns over the reduction in allocation to the Union Health Secretary, P.K. Pradhan.
Earlier, Pradhan gave a presentation to the NAC on the Ministry’s position on the chapter on health in the 12{+t}{+h} Plan draft document. The presentation was with regard to the Ministry’s response to the Report of the High Level Expert Group of the Planning Commission on Universal Health Coverage, chaired by Srinath Reddy, President, Public Health Foundation of India.
The Health Ministry and the expert group are reportedly unhappy with the final shape of the chapter in the draft Plan document, which has not incorporated key recommendations made by them.
Sindhushree Khullar, Secretary, Planning Commission, was also present during the presentation, an NAC release said here on Friday.
Nuclear issue
Meanwhile, NAC member Aruna Roy demanded a halt in the installation and commissioning of new nuclear power projects and sought greater transparency on safety of existing atomic energy units.
In a letter to NAC Chairperson, Sonia Gandhi, she also sought removal of “false cases” against those opposing the Kudankulam nuclear power project. She wanted the Government to initiate a dialogue with people in the affected areas.