Eight Networks of NGO — Neeve Delhi FORCES — which discussed individual party manifestos on Thursday, appealed to all parties contesting elections to aim to work towards strengthening policy, governance and administration besides working on improvement of health, education and basic facilities to help people.
More than 200 representatives from 50 unregularised colonies across Delhi spelt out the agenda already handed over to all major political parties — Congress, BJP, CPI and AAP. The event was the culmination of a series of meetings held over last month where their primary agenda centred on the problems faced by urban children.
“Our children need safety and protection, water and toilets and the essentials for healthy growth and education. Make children your priority,” read the manifesto put forward by the people.
“Put your will behind the Acts that have been passed; implement the programmes for children that have been planned, this is the action needed,” said Devika Singh from Delhi FORCES.
The NGOs discussed problems centering the lives of urban poor children. They said there was complete absence of daycare arrangements for children with working parents, which had led to accidents and neglect, mentioned poor quality of schools, anganwadis, and dispensaries thereby impacting children. They also discussed the severe problems faced by children with disability and those whose lives had been disrupted by relocation and slum clearances.
Their key demands included strong implementation of the Pre Conception and Pre natal Detection Test Act, maternity entitlements for women and nutrition entitlements for children through ICDS , under the National Food Security Act 2013, with thrust on quality. They also demanded that the creche provision under Building and Other Construction Workers Act 1996, be implemented for the safety and protection of children of workers.
The NGOs asked for effective implementation of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 and Right to Education Act 2010.