PMs passion: education and health; governance of importance too

World Economic Forum Founder and Executive Chairman Klaus Schwab today tried to put Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in a vexed situation by asking before a huge foreign and domestic audience as to what were the areas about which he was most passionate about.

The Prime Minister without hesitation replied that health and education were the two fields where he would like to see much more action, notwithstanding the strides that they have made in recent past. He said these were the two areas which were closest to his heart.

He said the public sector will have to play a major role in achieving the goals of health and education for all.

Dr Singh said the resources to the education sector would need to go up to six per cent of the Gross Domestic product (GDP) and health sector jumps starting from 1.5 per cent to 2-2.5 per cent in some years from now.

The question was posed to the Prime Minister by Mr Schwab after Dr Singh delivered his address at the 25th edition of India Economic Summit here, a joint endeavour of Confederation of Indian Industry and the Geneva-based World Economic Forum.

Dr Singh explained that this was the road to achieve inclusiveness and touch the lives of one and all.

In reply to another question by Mr Schwab, the Prime Minister agreed that governance was the major area of concern, particulary at the State and local levels.

While the Central government has been able to achieve much by way of transparency and accountability, much more action was needed at the level of States and local bodies and enjoined upon the concerned authority to address themselves to these issues.

As many as 600 Indian and foreign participants are taking part in the three-day mega event.

-- (UNI) -- 08DI18.xml

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