october 2, 1994

The Union Health Ministry assured medical and relief measures to States where the incidence of plague has been reported or those at risk. Health secretaries from 12 States met and reviewed the situation. The Health secretary, Mr M. S. Dayal, described the overall situation as “much better and less serious than expected”. The situation in the capital was causing some concern as the number of cases in steadily increasing. By evening today it had gone up to 340, of which 23 have been tested positive. In Gujarat, the overall situation seemed to be under control.

IDBI allowed to tap market

The Cabinet today approved the proposal to amend the Industrial Development Bank of India (IDBI) Act, 1964, to enable the apex financial institution to access the capital market. At present, IDBI is wholly-owned by the Government of India. The charter of the bank stipulates that it shall function as the principal financial institution for co-ordinating the working of institutions engaged in financing, promoting or developing industry.

Rising cost of education hits enrolment

The increasing costs of elementary education has resulted in the continued high rates of school drop outs and non-enrolment among the low income groups in several States of the country, according to a survey on household expenditure by the National Council for Applied Economic Research. While Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Rajasthan and West Bengal top this list, non-enrolment and dropout rates are practically non-existent in Kerala. These States also have wide gender disparity in favour of boys.

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