POLICY ALLOWS 100% FDI, BUT NEW PROPOSALS HAVE BEEN TURNED DOWN CITING HEALTH CONCERNS

Partha Ghosh NEW DELHI

THE OTHER INDIA
Sreelatha Menon / New Delhi July 23, 2008, 0:28 IST

After the overwhelming success of its job cards scheme, which covered about 20 million households in villages, the UPA government is ready with yet another programme, health insurance for poor, and a set of smart cards.

It

Imagine visiting a government hospital that can give your average high-priced private hospital a run for its money in cleanliness, has a staff who is amicable and safety of patients is not compromised at the drop of a hat. This is all set to be reality.

Chewing tobacco and snuff are less dangerous than cigarettes but the smokeless products still raise the risk of oral cancer by 80%, the World Health Organisation's cancer agency said. The review of 11 studies worldwide showed people who chewed tobacco and used snuff also had a 60% higher risk of oesophagus and pancreatic cancer. The researchers who published their findings in Lancet Oncology, found frequency of use varies greatly both across and within countries, depending on sex, age, ethnic origin and economic background, and were highest in the US, Sweden and India.

On May 22 a Delhi High Court hearing brought to the fore the rift between two Union ministries. The object of discord was a law dating back to days of high Victorian puritanism: section 377 of the Indian Penal Code. It criminalizes sexual acts

1860   The Indian Penal Code formulated. Section 377, an important part 1994   Condoms not allowed in Tihar Jail 2001   Offices of the NGOs working with homosexuals raided 2001   Naz Foundation files a case in the Delhi High court 2002   JACK files a counter affidavit 2004   Ministry of home affairs says section 377

In 1994, a medical team suggested that condoms be made available in Tihar Jail after finding high rates of homosexuality there. Kiran Bedi, the then Inspector General of prisons, refused because that would tantamount to admitting an illegal activity, homosexuality, on jail premises. A human rights group, AIDS Bhedbav Virodh Andolan filed PIL in the Delhi High Court challenging the constitutional