(a) whether India is lagging behind in achieving the targets set
under Millennium Development Goals;
(b) if so, the details of the achievements made so far against the
goals and targets and the reasons for slow progress in this regard;
(c) whether there is an urgent need for specific policy to achieve
the goals on time; and
(d) if so, the steps being taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR PLANNING, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES
(DR. ASHWANI KUMAR)
(a) & (b): The status of achievements under the framework of Millennium Development
Goals (MDGs) adopted for India is given at Annexure I.
(c) & (d): The Eleventh Five Year Plan is based on the strategy of promoting inclusive
growth for which 27 monitorable targets have been specified. These targets in a way reflect
the philosophy of Millennium Development Goals to which all the nations are committed
to. While most of the targets under MDGs are likely to be achieved, however, under some
health and nutritional indicators, India may not fully achieve the targets. The government
has already taken initiatives in the form of implementing National Rural Health Mission
(NRHM), Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) and Mid-Day Meal Scheme etc.
to provide improved health services and increase the nutritional level of the children. These
measures are expected to improve health and nutrition status of the people in the country.