Insufficient health budget could crumble economy: SP
The Samajwadi Party on Monday demanded augmenting of health budget and cautioned that improper allocation to the sector could crumble the economy.
Participating in the discussion on the Union Budget 2020-21 in Rajya Sabha, Ravi Prakash Verma said health allocation should be enhanced from 2.3 per cent of GDP to 5 per cent.
"If you don't increase your health expenditure you will be defeated after doing everything," he said.
Referring to Coronavirus outbreak in China, he said what is happening in the neighbouring country cannot be taken lightly and mentioned 2011 Hollywood movie 'Contagion' which was based on a similar crisis.
"Health issues could lead to collapse of the economy," he said.
"Pharma companies' lobby is active in ministry," he alleged, but did not elaborate.
He cautioned that 11 crore toilets were built using soakpit method that will contaminate water.
"You are building bio-toilets in railways but 11 crore soakpit toilets are being built in rural areas which is