The reason for the gross neglect is that the segment does not have a direct impact on polls, because they do not vote, it claimed
Youth under the age of 18 years constitute almost 37 per cent of the population but poll manifestos are silent on it, claim Ahmedabad-based Patheya Budget Centre.
The reason for the gross neglect is that the segment does not have a direct impact on polls, because they do not vote, it claimed.
"There are 2.22 crore people under the age of 18 years, constituting 36.75 per cent of the population. However, they are not allowed to cast their votes and so, their rights are not addressed by the political parties," said Mahender Jethmalani, economist at Patheya Budget Centre.
In a statement, Patheya said that issues like education, health, nutrition and safety need to be addressed in the manifestos and political parties should have a dedicated section on children as their well being is in the long term interest of the country as a whole.
It drew attention to the budgetary announcements as well, which also fall short of the requirements. Citing the state budget for the year 2015-16, it said that an allocation of Rs 25, 210 crore was slotted, which is just 19 per cent of the total state budget even though the state is plagued by shortage of teachers in the school, higher Infant Mortality Rates and Maternal Mortality rates and higher level of malnutrition. Considering the shere size of the segment, budgetary spending should be at least 25% of total spending, suggested Patheya.
Aspects like physical development, availability of sports facilities and involvement in cultural activities are also neglected by the political parties. Of late concerns of safety of children are also growing but little attention is being paid, said the statement.
SURVEY RESULTS
- Patheya said issues like education, health, nutrition and safety need to be addressed in the manifestos and political parties should have a dedicated section on children as their well being is in the long term interest of the country as a whole. It drew attention to the budgetary announcements as well.
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