Question : SURVEY ON CHILDREN

(a) whether any survey has been conducted on children by a panel of experts and journalists as reported in the Hindu dated July 19, 2006;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether India has been judged as the sixth most dangerous country for children;

(d) if so, the reasons therefor alongwith the reaction of the Government thereon; and

(e) the concrete measures taken by the Government to improve the situation?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI RENUKA CHOWDHURY)

(a),(b),(c),(d)&(e) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a),(b),(c),(d)&(e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 379 BY SHRIMTI MANORAMA MADHAVARAJ AND SHRI ANANDRAO V. ADSUL REGARDING SURVEY ON CHILDREN

(a)&(b) An Article appeared in The Hindu on 19th July, 2006 under the title “A Controversial Survey on India”. It is reported therein that Reuters foundation has conducted a poll survey involving more than 100 aid experts and journalists to highlight the world’s most dangerous places for children.

(c) Yes, Sir.

(d) The Survey has taken into account the children in armed conflict, the children affected by psychological trauma, the working children, malnutrition in children, etc. The Government do not agree with the findings of the survey as the survey has taken only limited facts into consideration and has not taken into account the other services and facilities being made available to children in India in the field of education, health, water and sanitation and other services which are the basic requirements.

(e) The Government is taking all necessary steps for improvement of the overall status of the children of the country. Apart from the implementation of the constitutional provisions, legislations and policies there are several schemes and programmes being implemented by different Ministries and Departments for children which include Integrated Child Development Services, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Reproductive and Child Health, National Rural Health Mission, Pules Polio Immunization Programme, National Programme for education of girls at elementary level, Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya, Mid-day Meal Scheme, Integrated Programme for Street Children, Integrated Programme for Juvenile Justice, Childline services, Shishu Greh Scheme, National Child Labour Projects, Rajiv Gandhi National Creche Scheme for the children of working mothers and others.