There is a need to focus on public-private partnership (PPP) in social sector, according to Amita Prasad, director general, Administrative Training Institute, Mysore.

Speaking at the inauguration of the workshop on ‘PPP: Issues and challenges’, jointly organised by the Administrative Training Institute and the Infrastructure Development Department of the Karnataka government here on Friday, she said that PPPs with appropriate regulations and concern for equity should be encouraged in social sectors such as health and education.

Stating that some State governments have already taken steps in this regard, she said the emergency medical response service – popularly known as ‘108 service’ – in Karnataka is a good example in this regard. An ambulance rushes to help those in need when a call is made to the toll-free number 108.

This service is provided on PPP model. Many State governments have implemented this model, she said.

Giving an overall picture of PPP investments in India, Amita Prasad said the share of PPP in infrastructure sector, which was 24.5 per cent during 2002-07, increased to 36 per cent during 2007-12. This is expected to go up to 50 per cent by 2017, she said.

She hoped that the two-day workshop would provide platform for capacity building in PPP through exchange of knowledge with case studies.

K.N. Vijayaprakash, chief executive officer of Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat, said that there are many opportunities in PPP in various sectors. He said that PPP should lead towards PPP (productivity, progress and prosperity).

The Deputy Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada district, N. Prakash, and the Commissioner of Mangalore City Corporation, Harish Kumar, were present on the occasion.

Officials from various government departments attended the workshop.

vinayak.aj@thehindu.co.in

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