The Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh said the UPA government have implemented new schemes for scholarships to provide educational opportunities to poor children and those belonging to weaker sections. He said, more than two crore children are getting scholarships from the central government. Dr. Singh said multi sectoral development programs for minorities has been reformed for its effective implementation.
On the Higher education, the Prime Minster said, 8 new IITs, 7 new IIMs, 16 new Central Universities and 10 new NITs have been opened to boost scientific research.
On the skill development of the youth to make their education more employable the Prime Minister said the a new scheme will be shortly launched under which a grant of 10,000 rupees will be given to those who have acquired new skills. Dr. Singh said, it will benefit ten lakh young men and women within one year.
Dr. Singh said, on the health front, with the launch of National rural Health mission both maternal maternity and infant mortality rates have reduced sharply. The Rashtriya Swastrhya Bima Yojana provides free in patient treatment in hospitals to the poor covering around 3.5 crore families. On women safety, Dr. Singh said, the government had strengthened law to deal firmly with offences against women.