The Maharashtra government on Wednesday announced three key decisions with an eye on the Lok Sabha elections, including the provision of free medicines in State-run hospitals.
Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan said all government hospitals would provide free medicines and equipment to patients from March 1, 2014. “The list includes 429 essential drugs listed by the World Health Organisation and the Ministry for Health. It also includes medicines for treatment of cancer and heart ailments,” Mr. Chavan said. The scheme is expected to cost Rs.510 crore per year. There would be no income limit on beneficiaries. The government also allowed the transfer of ownership of slums built before or on January 1, 1995.