JAIPUR: Speakers at a symposium of core constituents of Rajasthan Social Watch, which is looking after the promotion of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), here on Monday underlined the need to eliminate the factors inhibiting social transformation which in turn had impeded economic growth of the desert State.

Academicians, activists and representatives of civil society organisations, attending the symposium, felt that the target set under the MDGs to wipe out extreme poverty and hunger by 2015 could be achieved only by sustained efforts to hold the Government to account for its promises and ensure an "inclusive development'' that takes care of marginalised sections.

The MDGs, adopted by the U.N. in September 2000, lay down eight goals comprising 18 targets and 48 indicators, which all member- States have pledged to meet by 2015. The member- States are expected to evolve a political process by which the goals can be incorporated in the Government's priorities.

The Deputy Director, U.N. Millennium Campaign - Asia, Minar Pimple, said the issues such as maternal and infant mortality rates, access to health services and social security were crucial to assess the progress towards MDGs.

Rajasthan, he pointed out, was among the four States identified as focus areas for the campaign to realise MDGs.

Mr. Pimple said the Millennium Campaign would treat Dalits, tribals and the Muslim minority in India as the focused groups needing special attention. A series of interactions with the civil society bodies, local authorities, youth organisations, media and Parliamentarians would ensure their participation in the related activities, he added.

Mandy Kibel, Deputy Director, Communications, for the Millennium Campaign said that besides encouragement to people's involvement in the drive, several high-profile events had been planned to generate interest in the initiative. They include a "stand up for poverty eradication'' move on October 17 and the simultaneous release of artistic compositions of American photographer Spencer Tunick in nine countries.

While Surjit Singh of the Institute of Development Studies said the poor infrastructure and water scarcity were among the factors hindering the State's development, Shikha Wadhwa of UNICEF felt that the human development index in the State should be linked with MDGs.

Human rights

Dalit activist P.L. Mimroth pointed out that social customs were stronger than the laws in Rajasthan because of its feudal background and called for prompt action in the cases of atrocities against Scheduled Castes and Tribes. He regretted that the human rights of Dalits were often violated with impunity and expressed the hope that MDGs would help improve the situation.

Management expert Manchand Khandela said the proposed move to introduce reservation for backward classes in the private sector would be an affirmative action bringing in equity in the corporate world. Manisha Chawla of Indian Institute of Health Management Research felt that women's health issues should get priority in the public health domain.

The Centre for Community Economics and Development Consultants' Society (CECOEDECON) has been given the task of raising awareness on the significance and ownership of MDGs in the State's civil society and coordinate the millennium mobilisation movement.

The Society's Deputy Director Krishna Kumar highlighted the grassroot situation of livelihood, poverty, education and health care in the State.

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