It's not just about the money

HEALTH & EDUCATION

While allocations have been high in both health and education sectors, industry insiders would like to see some more analysis

The generous allocation in the Budget for health and education sectors failed to cheer sector analysts. The allocation for education has gone up by 31.5 per cent to Rs 24,115 crore and for health by 22 per cent to Rs 12,540 crore.

"There were expectations of a focus on healthcare. We wanted an infrastructure industry status," said Shivinder M Singh, chairman, Fortis Healthcare.

On the health front, the National Rural Health Mission (NHRM), launched last year, was allocated Rs 6,553 crore. A target has been set to eradicate polio by end 2007.

The 'Midday Meal Scheme', which covers 12 crore children, will have an increased allocation of Rs 4,813 crore in 2006-07, up 60 per cent from last year. While the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan will receive a budgetary allocation of Rs 10,041 crore, as much as Rs 8,746 crore will be transferred to Prarambhik Shiksha Kosh from the revenue of education cess.

"While allocations have been generous, there has been no analysis of the revenue from the 2 per cent education cess," said Tarun Chaturvedi of Management Development Institute.

The Finance Minister has introduced an innovative scheme in the form of a deposit of Rs 3,000 that will be payable at age 18 (with interest) to any girl who enrolls for higher secondary education.

The Universities of Mumbai, Calcutta and Chennai, will receive a grant of Rs 100 crore each, and another Rs 100 crore has been given to the Punjab Agricultural University.

There were no packages for higher education or professional institutes either, Chaturvedi added.