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Concern over slow progress of Rajasthan

JAIPUR: Development experts, representatives of U.N. organisations and government officials meeting here have expressed concern over slow progress of indicators in fields such as education, health care and development of women and children in Rajasthan in the light of the U.N. Millennium Development Goals.

Addressing a preparatory meeting for “Writers’ Conclave on MDGs” to be held in Neemrana, not far from here, next month, experts said the high drop-out rates in primary and middle schools, excessive maternal and infant mortality ratios, increasing poverty and subjugation of women would make it difficult for the vast desert State to achieve the U.N. MDGs by 2015. Additional State Chief Secretary Alka Kala said the Government would shortly formulate a total literacy policy for girls and take steps to provide better health care in the rural areas. She said the lists of families living below poverty line (BPL) should have uniformity to facilitate proper extension of services to them. Former Planning Commission secretary N. C. Saxena said the BPL lists in rural areas should be revised for correct estimation of poverty. He suggested that the district authorities declare the number of the poor living in the areas under the jurisdiction of each panchayat.

Principal Secretaries Meera Maharishi, Gurjot Kaur and R.K. Meena, UNICEF State chief Samuel Mawunganidz and UNFPA State programme coordinator Sunil Thomas Jacob also addressed the meeting. The writers’ conclave, to be held from August 8 to 10 at Neemrana in Alwar district, will focus on localising MDGs at the block and panchayat levels and suggest a strategy for effective use of resources in health and education programmes.

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