Expenditure on health mere 4% of GDP in 2012: Govt

In a written reply, Health Minister JP Nadda said in the Rajya Sabha that the per capita government expenditure on health in India was $18 in 2012 while the figure was $3,618 in case of developed countries like Germany. "As per world health statistics 2015 published by the WHO, total expenditure on health as percentage of the GDP in 2012 for India is 3.8 per cent as compared to Burundi 8.2 per cent, Central African Republic 3.8 per cent, Democratic Republic of Congo 3.6 per cent, Malawi 9.2 per cent and Niger 6.1 per cent," Nadda said. PTI

Maoists linked to groups in Philippines, Europe

Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju told Lok Sabha on Tuesday that the Naxals had close links with Maoist organisations in the Philippines and Turkey and they got support from several organisations in Europe. "The CPM has close links with foreign Maoist organisations in Philippines, Turkey, etc. The outfit is also a member of the Coordination Committee of Maoist Parties and Organisations of South Asia," he said. PTI

Tests on 20 indigenous Bt cotton varieties begin

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has initiated testing of 20 indigenously developed Bt cotton varieties to assess their suitability in domestic agro-climatic zones, Parliament was informed on Tuesday. "The ICAR has initiated testing of 20 indigenously developed Bt cotton varieties during kharif 2016 to identify suitability of the varieties in different agro-climatic zones and these lines will be further promoted through front line demonstrations," Minister of State for Agriculture Sanjeev Balyan said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha. PTI

100 rabies deaths reported last year

The Centre has notified the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules to control the population of stray dogs even as 100 deaths were reported last year due to rabies, Rajya Sabha was informed on Tuesday. The Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001 have been notified for sterilisation to control the street dog population and immunisation to prevent rabies, to be implemented by the local authorities with the help of animal welfare organisations, Health Minister JP Nadda said. PTI