The Hindu Business Line : Public-private partnership

This is with reference to "Public-private partnership"(Business Line, July 28): With the changed role of the state from a `doer' to a `facilitator', the public-private partnership has assumed significance. Pertinently, the Ministry of Health has embarked on the `Vande mataram' programme where the government and the private sector join hands to serve the health-care needs of the pregnant women with the twin objectives of reducing post-natal maternal deaths and infant mortality. It is imperative that public-private partnership be extended to such other areas as social welfare, education and environmental protection.

C. Ramesh

Keeramangalam (TN)

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The concept of public-private partnership (PPP) will enable greater accountability and efficiency. This is generally known in the academic circles as New Public Management (NPM). An example of this is the Chennai Metrowater that has roped in a number of private firms for its major and minor projects and has saved around Rs 3 crore (2002-03 Annual Report) by involving private contractors. This goes to show how PPP/NPM can engender not only monetary benefits, but also reduce delays, snags and increase customer sensitivity.

G. Narasimha Raghavan

Chennai

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