Mann Ki Baat highlights: MSP, affordable healthcare and more
What's the story
In the latest edition of Mann Ki Baat, PM Narendra Modi has announced that each and every expense incurred by farmers, including their labor cost, will be accounted for while fixing the Minimum Support Price (MSP) at 1.5 times the input cost. While addressing listeners in the 42nd Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi stressed on the farmer-friendly nature of this year's budget. Here's more.
MSP calculation
What costs will be accounted for in the MSP
The costs to be included while calculating the MSP will include farmers' and their families' labor costs, expenditure on machines and animals, costs of seeds, fertilizers, land revenue, interest on working capital, and rent of leased land. Modi added that 22,000 village haats are being upgraded to agricultural produce market committees (APMCs) and are integrated with e-NAM (National Agriculture Mission) platform.
Healthcare situation
Modi speaks on the issue of healthcare in India
Speaking on the situation of healthcare in the country, PM explained that under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, around 50 crore people would be entitled to Rs. 5 lakh per annum health insurance coverage. He said that over 800 medicines are available at concessional rates in over 3,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras. MBBS seats in 479 colleges have been increased up to around 68,000, Modi added.
Commemoration
PM Modi commemorates Gandhi and Ambedkar
During the 42nd Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi also commemorated Dr. BR Ambedkar and paid his regards to the legendary Indian social reformer. PM Modi also spoke about 2018 marking the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, said Swachh Bharat was in line with Gandhi's vision of India, and invited suggestions on how to pay Mahatma Gandhi a memorable tribute.