Learn to earn and stay healthy is the mantra

Government���s spendinG on education is slated to increase by 19.96% to Rs 34,400 crore in 2008-09 (up from Rs 28,674 crore in 2007-08), but Budget contains little by way of new efforts.

Meanwhile, the finance minister has earmarked Rs 16,534 crore (15% more than 2007-08) for the health ministry for projects including the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and the Integrated Child development Services (ICDS). The emphasis, however, is on state-funded health care though a five-year tax holiday for hospitals may give a welcome boost to private healthcare.

On education, FM enunciated the list of projects and schemes already on paper but yet to be implemented. This is particularly true for higher and technical education ��� three IITs (announced in 2006), new IIM in Shillong (2004), new School of Planning & Architecture (2006) and 16 new central universities in 2007. FM is silent on the use of the Rs 5,577 crore collected as the 1% education cess. Part of the proceeds were to be used in expansion of higher education institutes due to OBC reservation.

It seems that the government is more concerned about ���skill development��� than ���education���. That explains the Rs 1,000 crore for the Skill Development Mission. Also, the Right to Education finds no mention in the Budget.

NRHM has got Rs 12,050 crore to strengthen healthcare at the grassroots. Besides Rs 6,300 crore for ICDS for children and mothers, Rs 205 crore will be the Centre���s share of the premia for the health insurance scheme for the poor ��� Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna.