Paswan rules out ending subsidy on ferilizers

Ludhiana, Oct 8 (UNI) Union Minister for Fertilizers, Chemicals and Steel Ram Vilas Paswan today ruled out doing away with subsidy on fertilizers saying ''there was no such proposal under consideration by the government''.

''Subsidy on ferilizers will stay and as per current figures the government was providing subsidy of Rs 4,800 to each farmer in an year'', he said while talking to mediapersons here.

Refering to the UPA-governments commitment of 'health for all', the Minister said in January next year a comprehensive healh insurance scheme would be introduced in the country. This scheme was expected to benefit about 30 crore people living Below the Poverty Line (BPL), he added.

''Under the scheme the government would pay an amount of Rs 3000 crore annually to insurance companies'', he said.

Regarding the proposed New Drug Policy to be introduced next month, Mr Paswan said this would be centered around establishing Drug Banks in every district across the country. The government proposes to establish such Banks in about 600 villages, he added.

Through these Drug Banks, BPL families would be provided medicines free of cost, he said adding that every pharmaceutical company would be expected to contribute 1.5 per cent from its annual turnover to this Bank.

Replying to a question on the steel industry, the Minister said as of now 42 million tonnes of steel was being produced and by 2010 this would touch 65 million tonnes.

''By 2020 we expect to produce 110 million tonnes steel and for achieving this target the government would invest about Rs 1.25 lakh crore in this sector'', he added.

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