In a statement released to the Press today, the minister, a qualified doctor who runs a nursing home, came up with another stunning conclusion that youth become more vulnerable to AIDS because ``because of exposure to the media which is becoming increasingly sexually explicit.''

Addressing a press conference, the Minister announced the launch of the five-year AIDS control project that aims to promote safe behaviour through interpersonal communication, counselling, condom promotion and improving accessibility to quality sexually transmitted disease services.

The Minister also said that the number of cases increased from 45 in 1993 to 286 in 1998. The Capital is the fourth worst state in terms of AIDS cases with Maharashtra topping the list. The Minister cited various factors that makes Delhi vulnerable. He listed the expanding population of the Capital the main cause for this vulnerability. ``Estimated 45 per cent of the population lives in 42 resettlement colonies and 1,200 jhuggi clusters. Large numbers of single males are living away from families,''the minister said.

The Health Minister said that at present, there are only 10 government-run STD clinics. To provide better facilities, the State Government plans to open about 40 such clinics. Innovative methods to develop social marketing of condoms is also scheduled in the project. Newer outlets to expand the network of condom dispensing points, apart from installing condom vending machines at public places like Railway Stations and ISBT are also on the anvil.