Union minister Nadda lauds budget, calls it visionary

Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda on Monday lauded the 2016-17 general budget as "visionary, forward looking and progressive".

"This union budget takes care of the aspirations, aims and goals of a cross-section of masses, including the rural people, farmers, young people looking for jobs and the vulnerable and marginal sections of society; while also targeted towards growth and developmental goals of the country," Nadda said.

Commenting on the schemes and outlay for the health sector, Nadda said: "The budget has given the required impetus to the health sector and the health ministry is completely geared up to implement the schemes announced in the budget."

He said the new health protection scheme will provide the much required financial cover for a family with special focus on senior citizens who have been provided an additional top-up package up to Rs.30,000.

"The decision of opening 3,000 Jan Aushadhi(generic medicine) stores across the country will provide affordable medicines to the people; it is a people-centric move. The National Dialysis Services Programme under which dialysis services will be provided in all district hospitals, under the public-private partnership mode, will bring relief to a large section of the population," said the union minister.