New Delhi, Feb 29 (ANI): Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram announced the proposal of Rs.993 crore to the National Aids Control Programme.

P Chidambaram told in his speech, Studies have shown that the prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS has come down from 0.9 per cent to 0.36 per cent, which is a matter of some satisfaction.

Chdambaram also announced the total exemption of excise duty on the anti AIDS drug Atazanavir and bulk drugs for its manufactures.

India provides free first-generation drugs to 82,000 people living with HIV/AIDS. India is one of the worlds largest producers of second-generation anti-retrovirals used to treat HIV/AIDS and yet it does not provide it under its national programme.(ANI)