New Delhi, November 04: The second day of the 5th Editors� Conference on Social Sector Issues was marked by yet another day of extensive discussion on Health and Family Welfare, Social Justice and Empowerment, Environment and Forests, Statistics and Programme Implementation, and Non Conventional Energy Resources.

The main agenda of the concluding day session tomorrow includes among others, tribal affairs and development of North Eastern Region.

The past two days had witnessed intense discussion on various issues beginning with Rural Development with the Ministers concerned having to provide convincing replies to the barrage of questions raised by the media-persons mostly belonging to regional papers.

The Ministers, flanked by their secretaries who ensured ready availability of related information, also faced upto the challenge thrown by the media-persons in highlighting programmes and goals of the UPA Government.

Acknowledging the fact that actual implementation of the UPA�s Common Minimum Programme depends very much on the sincerity of respective State Governments, the Ministers announced that special programme monitoring forces will be formed to ensure that development schemes are not derailed due to corruption.

Kicking off the morning session of the second day at the National Press Centre of Press Information Bureau at the massive Shastri Bhavan complex here, Union Minister of Social Justice described the UPA�s policy as a gradual shift from the welfare approach to the participatory and equality approach towards marginalized and weaker section of society.

Informing that Central Government has identified North Eastern States as an area of special attention, the Minister also recalled organizing six camps for persons with disabilities in the region this year that reflects the emphasis UPA Govt places on the far flung and underdeveloped region.

Marking the commencement of the afternoon session, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr A Ramadoss said the Government has special priority on improving the health and well being of the rural poor with equal emphasis on checking diseases like HIV/AIDS, cancer and women health as well as framing policy for medical assistance to senior citizens.

Stating that UPA will soon announce Rural Health Mission, Ramadoss informed of launching Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme at 602 villages initially adding the first phase programme would be implemented at nine selected districts.

He also informed of establishing World Bank funded food and drugs laboratory at every State of the country and declared that the UPA is pursuing population control programme only through voluntary participation of the citizens rather than through force or coercion.

To address complaints of doctors shying off from assignments at rural and remote areas, Ramadoss categorically remarked that doc-tors would have to cater to villagers� need for at least one year once the compulsory rotation basis is enforced.

He also advocated �Smile and Serve� as service motto for medical personnel while attending to the patients.

Regarding North East, Ramadoss asserted the region would remain in sharp focus of the Government for which NE Mission has been envisaged for launching at the earliest.

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