FDI in Multi-brand Retail: A Senseless Decision
In India, there are millions of retail traders, selling daily requirements of food items (i.e. food grains, groceries, fish, meat, etc.) and consumer durables. Many of them also carry on vending of vegetables, fruits, and grocery items through the push carts, which move around residential localities. The retail traders, mostly provision/grocery/consumer durable stores, serve all sections of the society, including the upper middle class and rich people. Even the push cart vendors have regular customers from the upper-middle class and richer sections. It is quite possible that people will migrate to foreign retail chain stores, partly due to the perceived better quality of the items and lower prices. The foreign supermarkets will first destroy the small businesses and then destroy the agriculturist-farmers and other producers with a monopoly. The foreign conglomerates like Wall-Mart will deliberately sell the items for some time at lower prices; they have the capacity to run the business even on loss for a few years. But once they are able destroy the small retail traders and push cart vendors, they will mindlessly raise the prices and restrict the services. Take, for instance, some of the existing Indian retail chains charge Rs. 2-3 for providing carry bags, which is free in the small retail stores. Moreover, they often sell spoiled items for reduced prices. Already the tiny entrepreneurs doing retail trading have a precarious existence. They find it difficult to earn adequate in even for meeting daily requirements. Once the foreign conglomerates enter retail trading, their livelihood will be affected very much. As far as Indonesia is concerned, Mr. Anand Sharma’s contention is wrong. It is a small county. Moreover, reports show that FDI in retail trading has ruined many local small retail shop owners. Therefore, Indonesia has recently imposed many restrictions on foreign retail chains. We indeed are at a loss to understand the need for opening up retail trade, which is the source of employment and livelihood for millions of people all over the country. The argument put forth by the authorities is absurd and hurtful. India has no need for FDI in retail sector; there is no need for the foreign retail chains in India. Let wisdom prevail upon our leaders!
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Friday, November 25, 2011
Perils of FDI in Retail Trade in India
Employment generation in the formal sector
Employment generation in the formal sector in India has been very sluggish in recent years. As a result, many unemployed youth all over the country have taken to self employment, particularly in the retail sector. These informal retail sector establishments are successful, to a certain extent, only in the big cities. In the smaller towns and villages retail units have a precarious existence. These tiny entrepreneurs find it difficult to earn enough income from their business to meet even the bare necessities of life. So, many of them migrate to big cities in search better pastures. But only a small proportion of them become successful after migrating to the city. The tiny entrepreneurs suffer from various bottlenecks, particularly lack of finance. Since the scheduled commercial banks do not come forward to render financial assistance, they are forced to borrow at high rates of interest from private lenders and run the business and earn a meager income. But, most of the tiny units/vendors have regular customers, including upper-middle class and rich people. If FDI is allowed in the retail sector, it will wipe out many of the smaller Indian retailer chains and the small retailers like the small provision shops and the push cart vendors, who thrive largely in the residential areas around upper-middle class and richer sections of the society. The estimate that FDI in retail trade will generate 10 million jobs is not realistic. But it will certainly destroy millions of tiny retail entrepreneurs. Therefore, India has all to lose and nothing much to gain by allowing higher FDI in retail. This decision of the government has been done only to favor the major retail establishments in the West and in the USA. India has no need for FDI in retail sector; there is no need for the foreign retail chains in India. Let wisdom prevail upon our leaders!
Dr.C.Murukadas
Employment generation in the formal sector in India has been very sluggish in recent years. As a result, many unemployed youth all over the country have taken to self employment, particularly in the retail sector. These informal retail sector establishments are successful, to a certain extent, only in the big cities. In the smaller towns and villages retail units have a precarious existence. These tiny entrepreneurs find it difficult to earn enough income from their business to meet even the bare necessities of life. So, many of them migrate to big cities in search better pastures. But only a small proportion of them become successful after migrating to the city. The tiny entrepreneurs suffer from various bottlenecks, particularly lack of finance. Since the scheduled commercial banks do not come forward to render financial assistance, they are forced to borrow at high rates of interest from private lenders and run the business and earn a meager income. But, most of the tiny units/vendors have regular customers, including upper-middle class and rich people. If FDI is allowed in the retail sector, it will wipe out many of the smaller Indian retailer chains and the small retailers like the small provision shops and the push cart vendors, who thrive largely in the residential areas around upper-middle class and richer sections of the society. The estimate that FDI in retail trade will generate 10 million jobs is not realistic. But it will certainly destroy millions of tiny retail entrepreneurs. Therefore, India has all to lose and nothing much to gain by allowing higher FDI in retail. This decision of the government has been done only to favor the major retail establishments in the West and in the USA. India has no need for FDI in retail sector; there is no need for the foreign retail chains in India. Let wisdom prevail upon our leaders!
Dr.C.Murukadas
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Tamilnadu: Increase in Bus Fares, Power Tariffs, Milk Prices Inevitable
Tamilnadu: Increase in Bus Fares, Power Tariff, Milk Prices Inevitable
When the AIADMK government, under the leadership Dr.Jayalalithaa, took over the governance of Tamilnadu, the economy of the state was in shambles. Many public sector undertakings, such as State Transport corporations, Tamilnadu Electricity Board, Avin,etc. were facing mounting loses due mainly to delay in revision of electricity tariff, bus fares, electricity tariff, bus fare and milk prices. The previous regime had deliberately avoided hike in the above cases fearing public out-lash and and consequent echo in the Assembly elections. While the price of every item has gone up steeply in recent years, no attempt was made to balance the impact on the bus fares, milk prices and electricity tariffs. All these three organizations come under public utility services and therefore it is the duty of the government to avoid shifting of cost escalation on the public. Yet there is a limit beyond which the government cannot absorb the escalation by way of subsidy. As the cost of production of milk and electricity has gone up severely the capacity of the government to absorb the cost escalation exceeded the limit. But the previous DMK regime took no steps to neutralise the impact of rising costs for narrow political considerations. Due to frequent increase in diesel prices by the central government and because of the hike in the prices of spares and accessories, the operational cost of the transport services soared severely.Therefore, bus fares should have to be raised reasonably. Despite such a scenario of intensifying crisis, the new government, under the leadership of Dr.Jayalalithaa, tried its best to avoid the unpleasant decision to hike rates of above the said public utility services, viz. transport, milk and electricity.
One argument is, had the government not been caught up in the distribution of so many free-bees, it would have been possible to keep down the rate of hikes to a certain extent. But, as the Chief Minister has rightly acknowledged, after many decades of economic development a large section of the population is left out of access to many modern consumer products. Moreover, she has rightly stressed that it is the responsibility of the government see that the poor people also have access to these items, viz. laptop, mixi, grinder, fan, induction stove, etc. Only then it is possible to narrow the gap bet been the haves and have nots. Therefore, it is unreasonable to persist with criticism of free-bees.
Dr.C.Murukadas
When the AIADMK government, under the leadership Dr.Jayalalithaa, took over the governance of Tamilnadu, the economy of the state was in shambles. Many public sector undertakings, such as State Transport corporations, Tamilnadu Electricity Board, Avin,etc. were facing mounting loses due mainly to delay in revision of electricity tariff, bus fares, electricity tariff, bus fare and milk prices. The previous regime had deliberately avoided hike in the above cases fearing public out-lash and and consequent echo in the Assembly elections. While the price of every item has gone up steeply in recent years, no attempt was made to balance the impact on the bus fares, milk prices and electricity tariffs. All these three organizations come under public utility services and therefore it is the duty of the government to avoid shifting of cost escalation on the public. Yet there is a limit beyond which the government cannot absorb the escalation by way of subsidy. As the cost of production of milk and electricity has gone up severely the capacity of the government to absorb the cost escalation exceeded the limit. But the previous DMK regime took no steps to neutralise the impact of rising costs for narrow political considerations. Due to frequent increase in diesel prices by the central government and because of the hike in the prices of spares and accessories, the operational cost of the transport services soared severely.Therefore, bus fares should have to be raised reasonably. Despite such a scenario of intensifying crisis, the new government, under the leadership of Dr.Jayalalithaa, tried its best to avoid the unpleasant decision to hike rates of above the said public utility services, viz. transport, milk and electricity.
One argument is, had the government not been caught up in the distribution of so many free-bees, it would have been possible to keep down the rate of hikes to a certain extent. But, as the Chief Minister has rightly acknowledged, after many decades of economic development a large section of the population is left out of access to many modern consumer products. Moreover, she has rightly stressed that it is the responsibility of the government see that the poor people also have access to these items, viz. laptop, mixi, grinder, fan, induction stove, etc. Only then it is possible to narrow the gap bet been the haves and have nots. Therefore, it is unreasonable to persist with criticism of free-bees.
Dr.C.Murukadas
Tamil Nadu Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Rules
Economic development is a continues an complex process involving the interaction of varied and numerous factors such as natural resources, human resources (manpower), capital and entrepreneurship (organization), which are interrelated and interwoven. The rate of economic growth depends upon the degree of conjuncture of the factors. Of all the factors human resources is the most important factor. In many developed countries, particularly in Japan, trained and skilled manpower played a dominant role in accelerating economic advancement. At present, India has the second largest reservoir of manpower in the world, next only to China. But only a part of the manpower in India is properly educated and trained; only about 12% of the youth get opportunities for higher education. Even today, a large number children India either do not get enrolled or drop out at the primary level. This is more evident in in rural areas and urban slums. As a result, a larger proportion of youth lack proper education and training.The opportunities for skill development is insufficient and thinly spread over the country. The children belonging to the downtrodden sections of society, particularly the SCs,STs and BCs, fall considerably below the middle, upper-middle and richer sections of society. They fall short in opportunities for education and skill development. Moreover, in many areas the children of the down trodden sections, particularly in rural areas, fail to enroll for education due to nonavailability of schools within reach. They are not in a situation to enroll in private unaided schools due to lack of ability to pay the fees.
After so much deliberation the Government of India brought the RTE Act (2009) for providing free and compulsory education to all children aged between six and 14 years. But the implementation of the RTE has been tardy. Only 22 states have notified the Act so far. The government of Tamilnadu has notified the Tamil Nadu Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Rules on November 12, 2011. It is really a landmark step in fulfilling the objective of hundred percent enrollment and continuing education at least until age 14 ( i.e. up middle school level)The government has instructed that unaided private schools should not discriminate against children belonging to weaker section and disadvantaged group. The notification has made clear the unaided schools shall ensure that children belonging to weaker section and disadvantaged groups are admitted in pursuance of relevant clauses of the Central Act. It provides that these children, “shall not be segregated from the other children in the classrooms nor shall their classes be held at places and timings different from the classes held for other children." This notification is an important step. The Tamilnadu Chief Minister deserves appreciation for taking steps to implement the provisions of the Act. Nevertheless, it is hoped that the private unaided schools will be adequately compensated for the loss incurred by them providing free education, so that this laudable scheme will be a success.
Dr.C.Murukadas,
After so much deliberation the Government of India brought the RTE Act (2009) for providing free and compulsory education to all children aged between six and 14 years. But the implementation of the RTE has been tardy. Only 22 states have notified the Act so far. The government of Tamilnadu has notified the Tamil Nadu Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Rules on November 12, 2011. It is really a landmark step in fulfilling the objective of hundred percent enrollment and continuing education at least until age 14 ( i.e. up middle school level)The government has instructed that unaided private schools should not discriminate against children belonging to weaker section and disadvantaged group. The notification has made clear the unaided schools shall ensure that children belonging to weaker section and disadvantaged groups are admitted in pursuance of relevant clauses of the Central Act. It provides that these children, “shall not be segregated from the other children in the classrooms nor shall their classes be held at places and timings different from the classes held for other children." This notification is an important step. The Tamilnadu Chief Minister deserves appreciation for taking steps to implement the provisions of the Act. Nevertheless, it is hoped that the private unaided schools will be adequately compensated for the loss incurred by them providing free education, so that this laudable scheme will be a success.
Dr.C.Murukadas,
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Sex Workers in Cnennai
Oldest profession has no new solution
Sex workers Chennai
A recent study has estimated that there are about 14,000 sex workers Chennai. It is very conservative estimate. A few years back we made a study of " shadow economy" in Chennai City (old city area) in which one of the aspect was prostitution. Our estimate revealed that there were around 10000 persons involved on a regular basis, 8000 persons involved on "occasional basis" and many persons on and of basis, particularly college students, employees and house wives. There is a large number of male and female brokers, who entice and guide them into prostitution. We found that many middle class and upper middle class women were involved in occasional indulgence in prostitution. In most such cases, family friends and neighbors happened to be the clients. In such cases the women will go to the residence of the client or guest houses or friends' house. In the case of students, they accompany the client to lodges or farm houses. Now Chennai's total area and population have gone up. Some of the newly added areas are notorious for prostitution. Therefore, the total number of prostitutes in Greater Chennai at present will be around, 25,000 regulars and and an equal number of other categories. It has to be noted that only through rapid economic development and adequate employment generation, besides changes in the mind-set of the people, alone this profession may be curtailed. Although many of those who indulge in prostitution on a regular basis dislike the profession, they are averse to rehabilitation for fear of publicity, which they think will spoil the chance for a peaceful life. During our survey one prostitute said, " I was driven into the profession against my will. Many times I withdrew and worked in odd jobs; but again and again I have been driven into it.
Dr.C.Murukadas, The Times of India, November 9, 2011
Tamilnadu: Free Laptop Scheme
Tamilnadu: Free Laptop Scheme
The statement made by the Tamilnadu the Chief Minister, while delivering the inaugural address at the two-day conference of Collectors and Police Officers at the Secretariat on 13.11.2011, shows her concern for the plight of the downtrodden sections of the society, besides her commitment to take necessary steps for accelerating the tempo of economic development and employment generation. The declaration that all out efforts will be made to improve agricultural production and productivity is timely. Her assurance that steps will be taken to ensure law and order in the state is very significant because no county/state can promote development and welfare of the people without ensuring safety and security to the life and property of the people. I firmly believe that new Tamilnadu government under the leadership of Dr. Jayalalitha would definitely take concrete steps to implement the assurances.
Dr.C.Murukadas,
The statement made by the Tamilnadu the Chief Minister, while delivering the inaugural address at the two-day conference of Collectors and Police Officers at the Secretariat on 13.11.2011, shows her concern for the plight of the downtrodden sections of the society, besides her commitment to take necessary steps for accelerating the tempo of economic development and employment generation. The declaration that all out efforts will be made to improve agricultural production and productivity is timely. Her assurance that steps will be taken to ensure law and order in the state is very significant because no county/state can promote development and welfare of the people without ensuring safety and security to the life and property of the people. I firmly believe that new Tamilnadu government under the leadership of Dr. Jayalalitha would definitely take concrete steps to implement the assurances.
Dr.C.Murukadas,
T. Nagar:Ceiling of Buildings
T. Nagar:Ceiling of Buildings
Most of the buildings in Chennai are, in one way or other, illegal structures in the sense either they are constructed without plan or constructed with deviations from the sanctioned plan. Available information indicates that almost 1 out of 10 buildings in Chennai City is constructed as per the plan. All other structures are, in away, are unauthorized constructions. These include, shopping malls and complexes, private universities/ colleges/ schools, hospitals,hotels, mutlistoried apartments, and individual houses,besides the thousands of dwellings in the slums. A study by the Association for Population Studies a few years back indicated that none of the illegal construction , including slums, takes place without knowledge and abatement of the Corporation/CMDA officials and local politicians. In fact, it is reported that some officials and politicians encourage the businessmen and individuals to proceed with the construction of illegal structures and unauthorized deviations. Otherwise how is it possible that so many buildings and huts have been constructed over the years in utter violation of building regulations? How is it possible that the authorities allowed the big unauthorized structures to come up in all the busy marketing and trading areas such as T.Nagar, Triplane, Purushavkkam, Parry's Corner, Sowcarpet,Mount Road, Mylapore, Adyar, Anna Nagar, Mogapair, etc. (In fact, in places like Sowcarpet , Triplicane and other areas hundreds of multi-soried buildings have been constructed in narrow lanes of even below ten feet.) How is it that so many private educational institutions have been going on constructing structures with out approved plan? How is it that the self-financing engineering colleges have been allowed construction in agricultural lands without re classification of land by competent authorities?. How is that sanction to layouts with narrow roads have been given? How is it that so many slums have come into existence in utter violation of norms ? How is that slums have been built on the road margins ( often even on the roads )The answer to all these queries is the same, viz. corruption and apathy on the part of officials and patronage by politicians for extraneous considerations. So enough damage has been done. Nevertheless, it ridiculous to seal and demolish such buildings, including slums, at a stroke. No sympathy should be shown to those who have violated the norms, even after notice by the authorities a and those structures causing inconvenience to the public, besides transport and traffic. Now, a situation has arisen, if peopled are allowed to put structures without permission and in violation of the sanctioned plans, the Chennai city will become unlivable and unsustainable. Yet an one time relief may be granted, except for gross violations, with hefty fine. But in future the government should not allow buildings, including slums, to come up without permission.
Dr.C.Murukadas, 14.11.2011
Most of the buildings in Chennai are, in one way or other, illegal structures in the sense either they are constructed without plan or constructed with deviations from the sanctioned plan. Available information indicates that almost 1 out of 10 buildings in Chennai City is constructed as per the plan. All other structures are, in away, are unauthorized constructions. These include, shopping malls and complexes, private universities/ colleges/ schools, hospitals,hotels, mutlistoried apartments, and individual houses,besides the thousands of dwellings in the slums. A study by the Association for Population Studies a few years back indicated that none of the illegal construction , including slums, takes place without knowledge and abatement of the Corporation/CMDA officials and local politicians. In fact, it is reported that some officials and politicians encourage the businessmen and individuals to proceed with the construction of illegal structures and unauthorized deviations. Otherwise how is it possible that so many buildings and huts have been constructed over the years in utter violation of building regulations? How is it possible that the authorities allowed the big unauthorized structures to come up in all the busy marketing and trading areas such as T.Nagar, Triplane, Purushavkkam, Parry's Corner, Sowcarpet,Mount Road, Mylapore, Adyar, Anna Nagar, Mogapair, etc. (In fact, in places like Sowcarpet , Triplicane and other areas hundreds of multi-soried buildings have been constructed in narrow lanes of even below ten feet.) How is it that so many private educational institutions have been going on constructing structures with out approved plan? How is it that the self-financing engineering colleges have been allowed construction in agricultural lands without re classification of land by competent authorities?. How is that sanction to layouts with narrow roads have been given? How is it that so many slums have come into existence in utter violation of norms ? How is that slums have been built on the road margins ( often even on the roads )The answer to all these queries is the same, viz. corruption and apathy on the part of officials and patronage by politicians for extraneous considerations. So enough damage has been done. Nevertheless, it ridiculous to seal and demolish such buildings, including slums, at a stroke. No sympathy should be shown to those who have violated the norms, even after notice by the authorities a and those structures causing inconvenience to the public, besides transport and traffic. Now, a situation has arisen, if peopled are allowed to put structures without permission and in violation of the sanctioned plans, the Chennai city will become unlivable and unsustainable. Yet an one time relief may be granted, except for gross violations, with hefty fine. But in future the government should not allow buildings, including slums, to come up without permission.
Dr.C.Murukadas, 14.11.2011
Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant: Needed Immediate Commissioning
Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant: Needed Immediate Commissioning
Kudankulam Nuclear Plant issue is unwarrantably blown up by vested interests. The agitation is carried out by only a small section of the people in and around Kudankulam. Reports indicate that outside disruptive forces are fomenting the feelings of the local people by spreading falsehood about the safety of the Project. The media, especially the TV channels, is blowing the news out of proportion. Of course, the safety of the Plant is of foremost importance. Available information suggests that there may not be a threat to the locals from natural calamities such as moderate tsunami or earthquake. Kudankulam, being a very backward and relatively illiterate area, the fisher-folk and the dry land farmers are easily misguided by the vested interests. Moreover, now the agitation has assumed religious color. It appears, if the agitation is prolonged further, it may ultimately develop into a religious flare up between Christians and Hindus, which would definitely become a threat to peace and tranquility of the area. The central/state government as well as the nuclear energy corporation should have taken steps much earlier to allay the fears of the people. Then, the agitation would not have reached this stage. Better late than never, the current moves, particularly after the visit of the Plant by Mr. Abdul Kalam and the assurance made by him about the safety of the Plant, I hope, will ease the situation to a certain extent. But then, the government should assure that the recommendations made by Mr. Kalam for the development of this backward area and employment generation should be vouched by the government. I trust that the impasse created by misunderstanding and false propaganda will be eased and the Plant will generate power soon. Otherwise, the vision of the new government to speed up the tempo of industrialization of the state will be in jeopardy.
Dr.C.Murukadas, The Times of India, 14.11.2011
Kudankulam Nuclear Plant issue is unwarrantably blown up by vested interests. The agitation is carried out by only a small section of the people in and around Kudankulam. Reports indicate that outside disruptive forces are fomenting the feelings of the local people by spreading falsehood about the safety of the Project. The media, especially the TV channels, is blowing the news out of proportion. Of course, the safety of the Plant is of foremost importance. Available information suggests that there may not be a threat to the locals from natural calamities such as moderate tsunami or earthquake. Kudankulam, being a very backward and relatively illiterate area, the fisher-folk and the dry land farmers are easily misguided by the vested interests. Moreover, now the agitation has assumed religious color. It appears, if the agitation is prolonged further, it may ultimately develop into a religious flare up between Christians and Hindus, which would definitely become a threat to peace and tranquility of the area. The central/state government as well as the nuclear energy corporation should have taken steps much earlier to allay the fears of the people. Then, the agitation would not have reached this stage. Better late than never, the current moves, particularly after the visit of the Plant by Mr. Abdul Kalam and the assurance made by him about the safety of the Plant, I hope, will ease the situation to a certain extent. But then, the government should assure that the recommendations made by Mr. Kalam for the development of this backward area and employment generation should be vouched by the government. I trust that the impasse created by misunderstanding and false propaganda will be eased and the Plant will generate power soon. Otherwise, the vision of the new government to speed up the tempo of industrialization of the state will be in jeopardy.
Dr.C.Murukadas, The Times of India, 14.11.2011
Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme
Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme
It is great that the Tamilnadu government has decided to eliminate the private heath insurers from the Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme that would benefit 13.4 million families in Tamil Nadu. The Health Insurance Scheme was one of the most accepted welfare schemes introduced by the previous regime. But, it is quite perplexing to know that such a massive welfare scheme was entrusted with a single relatively inexperienced private insurance company, viz. Star Health and Allied Insurance Company (Star Health), which lacked necessary expertise as well as adequate network for serving such a huge population. It is reported that many deserving patients were denied treatment under one pretext or the other. Even in the case of those who were fortunate to avail the scheme, most of them were forced to spend extra amount for the treatment, which resulted in grave monetary loss and agony for the beneficiaries. It is also reported that the said insurance company swindled crores of rupees in connivance with certain unprincipled hospitals. Therefore, there was a hue and cry against the malpractices and improper services rendered by the said private insurance company. In fact, there was growing dissatisfaction with the functioning of the scheme and indeed the pubic were craving for a change. It is heartening to know that the Chief Minister of Tamilnadu has taken the decision to revamp the Health Insurance Scheme and entrust the job to public sector insurance companies. Although there are complaints about the public sector insurance companies, there is greater accountability and better transparency. It is gratifying to know that the new scheme will have extensive benefits and it covers more than 900 surgical procedures, including life saving interventions like cardiac, renal, neurological procedures and neonatal/ pediatric procedures, which were hitherto not covered. It is nice to know that scheme has been allotted Rs 750 crore for the current fiscal. The people of Tamilnadu are deeply indebted to the Tamilnadu government in general, and the Chief Minister, Dr. Jayalalithaa, in particular.
Dr.C.Murukadas,
It is great that the Tamilnadu government has decided to eliminate the private heath insurers from the Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme that would benefit 13.4 million families in Tamil Nadu. The Health Insurance Scheme was one of the most accepted welfare schemes introduced by the previous regime. But, it is quite perplexing to know that such a massive welfare scheme was entrusted with a single relatively inexperienced private insurance company, viz. Star Health and Allied Insurance Company (Star Health), which lacked necessary expertise as well as adequate network for serving such a huge population. It is reported that many deserving patients were denied treatment under one pretext or the other. Even in the case of those who were fortunate to avail the scheme, most of them were forced to spend extra amount for the treatment, which resulted in grave monetary loss and agony for the beneficiaries. It is also reported that the said insurance company swindled crores of rupees in connivance with certain unprincipled hospitals. Therefore, there was a hue and cry against the malpractices and improper services rendered by the said private insurance company. In fact, there was growing dissatisfaction with the functioning of the scheme and indeed the pubic were craving for a change. It is heartening to know that the Chief Minister of Tamilnadu has taken the decision to revamp the Health Insurance Scheme and entrust the job to public sector insurance companies. Although there are complaints about the public sector insurance companies, there is greater accountability and better transparency. It is gratifying to know that the new scheme will have extensive benefits and it covers more than 900 surgical procedures, including life saving interventions like cardiac, renal, neurological procedures and neonatal/ pediatric procedures, which were hitherto not covered. It is nice to know that scheme has been allotted Rs 750 crore for the current fiscal. The people of Tamilnadu are deeply indebted to the Tamilnadu government in general, and the Chief Minister, Dr. Jayalalithaa, in particular.
Dr.C.Murukadas,
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