The Hindu : New Delhi News : Highlighting their say in the Budget

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Oct 03, 2005

New Delhi

New Delhi

Highlighting their say in the Budget

Sandeep Joshi

NEW DELHI: To highlight the need for civil society's engagement in the Budget-making process that is also an important aspect of contemporary public discourse, the Centre for Budget and Governance Accountability (CBGA) will be organising a two-day "National Convention on Union Budget 2006-07" at YMCA Tourist Hostel from October 5.

The convention's objective is to provide a forum of civil society groups, mass organisations, intellectuals and individuals to deliberate on issues related to the Union Budget from the point of view of the marginalised people and make concrete suggestions towards the making of forthcoming Budget.

CBGA, a Delhi-based programme of the National Centre for Advocacy Studies that analyses Union Budgets and public policies from the perspective of poor and marginalised people, feels that while the Government at various levels of functioning takes business and industry lobby into confidence, but it has shown complete apathy towards the interests of the poor.

The event will emphasise the need for greater public participation in allocation of funds and framing of policies meant for them.

Discussions during the convention would help in framing a "Charter of Demands" in order to seek more grants in the Budget for different ministries to ensure development of various sectors so that problems of common man can be solved more effectively.

This Charter of Demands will be handed over to the Union Finance Minister, the Planning Commission's Deputy Chairman and representatives of the National Advisory Council for necessary action.

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