Addressing a press conference here, the minister said that each hospital would be constructed at a cost of Rs 2 crore and in case where the hospitals already exist, the amount would be utilised for acquiring latest equipment. The Central and state governments would share the maintenance charges in a 7:1 ratio.

The report of the Manisana Singh wage board for journalists and non-journalists in the newspaper industry would be submitted by September 30, Jatia said. Stating that the Union government had provided all necessary facilities to the wage board for early submission of its reports, he said that the board would hold meetings with representatives before September 15 for submitting recommendations.

Referring to beedi workers, Jatia said the Centre had increased the labour charges for 1000 beedis form 50 paise to Re 1.Besides, health and scholarship schemes for the children of those in the unorganised sector had been mooted. The minimum wages for the employees had also been raised from Rs 35 to 40.

Regarding privatisation of PSUs, the minister said that 20 per cent of the units were working satisfactorily and his ministry was studying the performance of others. In any case, there would be no retrenchment and employees' rights would be safeguarded, he promised.

It had been decided to issue passbooks with identity cards to employees in the unorganised sector under a social security scheme. Provident Fund office authorities had been directed to issue cheques of the employees within one month of their retirement.