BWI: Increase in Social Sector Appreciative, but Investment on Children and Youth Ignored Feels World Vision India

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: World Vision India
Saturday, February 27, 2010 06:26 PM IST (12:56 PM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest, Economy, Law & justice, People, Politics, Social issues; Business: Advertising, PR & marketing, Business services, Education & training, Healthcare, biotechnology & pharmaceutical, Media & entertainment; Healthcare
--------------------------------------------------
Increase in Social Sector Appreciative, but Investment on Children and Youth Ignored Feels World Vision India
Dr. Jayakumar Christian, National Director - World Vision India

Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, Saturday, February 27, 2010 -- (Business Wire India) -- The increase in allocation of budget for social sector to 37% of the total plan outlay in the 2010 - 2011 Budget is appreciative. It reflects the government's promise to the 'Aam Admi'.

But sadly about 400 million children who constitute 41% of India's population have once again been ignored. The share for children in the budget allocation has only a marginal increase from 3.7% last year to 4.1%.

According to the 'Centre for Budget Governance Accountability' (CBGA), the sector-wise composition of the 4.1% total outlay for children in the Union Budget 2010 -2011 (BE) is - 75% meant for education, 20% for Child Development, 4% for Child Health and 1% of Child Protection.' Like the CBGA reports says, it is indeed 'disappointing to note that the Child Budget continues to be skewed against Child Health and Child Protection.'

The increase for School Education and Literacy from 2.7 % to a mere 2.81 % does not reflect the government's commitment to the Right to Education Bill passed recently. And the mere 1% for Child Protection within the allocation for children is extremely sad. The Government is answerable to the millions of children who are Child Labourers and living on the streets.

As far as Child Health is concerned, India today has disturbing figures like 5000 children under 5 dying every single day. But only a scanty 4% of the 4.1% of total allocation earmarked for children is for health. This kind of allocation suggests that the government is probably indifferent towards the thousands of children who are deprived of their very basic right - the 'Right to Live'.

With the plethora of issues faced by children in this country, slow and steady increases in budget allocations cannot solve the problems children face. We need bold, vigorous and proportional allocations to combat issues like Child Labour, School dropouts, Infant mortality, Malnutrition etc.

However, the allocation of 40,100 crores to the NREGA and the 7,266 crores drought relief package for Bundelkhand is laudable. This allocation to Bundelkhand will revive the hopes of a better future for thousands of children affected by the severe drought in the belts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

Expansion of Integrated Child Development Scheme and the district wise evaluation of the Status of Health will be much more robust and will mandate civil society and panchayat in the process.

With more than 25% of the country's population still living Below the Poverty line, the announcement that the Right to Food Act is ready is a ray of hope. We are waiting for the passing of this bill along with the millions of poor in this country.

But despite certain positive aspects of the Budget 2010-2011, the government has failed to investment in its youth. The Budget does not reflect the vulnerability of the country youth to the negative forces like the fundamentalists and Maoists. The government must step up to stem the drain youth from mainstream to decisive forces.

The government must understand that if we want the increasing number of youth indulging in violence to stop, and a future sans violence, the government should reconsider its investment on youth and children.

World Vision India is a Christian humanitarian organisation working to create lasting change in the lives of children, families and communities living in poverty and injustice. With 60 years of experience in India, World Vision India works in over 200 locations around the country through long term, sustainable community development programmes and immediate disaster relief assistance. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, caste, race, ethnicity or gender.

About World Vision India

World Vision India is a Christian humanitarian organization working to create lasting change in the lives of children, families and communities living in poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, caste, race, ethnicity or gender. Spread across 174 locations in India, World Vision works through long-term sustainable community development programmes and immediate disaster relief assistance.

Focus on Children: All development work we carry out is focused on building the community around children so that they have the opportunity to reach for a better future.

Grass root Based: World Vision's relief and development is community based. Our staff live with the communities at the grass roots, living with them, learning from them and working along with them to find solutions to issues of poverty.

Partnering for Change: We partner with the people in their development, work with the Government and civil society to usher in a better and brighter future for India.

World Vision has responded to every major disaster in India in the last few decades including the 2004 tsunami , Kashmir earthquake and the recurring flood situations in various states every year, most recently in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. World Vision India is also member of the Planning Commission working group on women and child development and the NGO steering committee of the National Disaster Management Authority.


CONTACT DETAILS
Joy Christina, World Vision India, +91 44 24807064/ +91 9840798734,, joy_christina@wvi.org

KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, ECONOMY, LAW, PEOPLE, POLITICS, SOCIAL, MARKETING, BUSINESS SERVICES, EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE, MEDIA, HEALTHCARE

If you wish to change your Business Wire India selection please click on this link http://www.businesswireindia.com/media/news.asp and use your personal username and password to login.

Submit your press release at http://www.businesswireindia.com