The Indian Medical Association has demanded increased allocation of financial resources in the budget, advocating a tax-based system of health financing, the medical body said in a letter written to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, who is on a visit to the national capital, interacted with the Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, where they possibly discussed various aspects of the southern state's developments.
During the pre-budget meeting with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Delhi on Thursday, health experts emphasized the need to increase the availability of hospital beds in the country. They pointed out that the current bed availability is significantly below World Health Organization
Leading names in the sector of skilling and employment such as Anshuman Magazine, Suchita Dutta, Sarvesh Agrawal, and Gayatri Vasudevan were present in the meeting.
During the meeting, the industry representatives conveyed their suggestions to the finance minister ranging from exports and the need to enhance R&D, Interest Equalization Scheme, ease of doing business, and issue of employment among others.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Monday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the Goods and Services Tax to give relief to the citizens and that the Centre is resolved to bring in more reforms to improve the lives of the citizens.
High-ranking officials, including the Secretaries of the Department of Economic Affairs and the Ministry of Labour and Employment, as well as the Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India, were also in attendance, underscoring the importance of the consultation process.
Following Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's remarks on the Kallakurichi Hooch tragedy which claimed 56 lives so far, Congress leader K Suresh said on Sunday that the hooch tragedy happened in Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled states too, but she "closed her eyes" at those times.