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Concern over socio-economic plight

By Sumit Kumar, Section Development
Posted on Thu Dec 21, 2006 at 01:03:38 AM EST

Our focus should be on the development of the slums

The state municipal affairs department had organised a seminar-cum-workshop on socio-economic development of the urban poor. The seminar cum workshop was held at Sisir Mancha, Kolkata Information Centre today.

Chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, along with Rekha Goswami, the state minister for self-help group and self-employment, and Asok Bhattacharya, the state minister for municipal affairs and urban development, were present.

The chief minister expressed concern over the socio-economic condition of the urban poor. Bhattacharjee said hundreds of people come to the city from far-flung areas in search of work who generally get absorbed in the informal sector. To aggravate the situation there is the problem of housing along with the issues of health and education which needs to be addressed.

"Various projects undertaken have also been successful. However, our focus should be on the development of the slums and also a state-level Urban Poverty Alleviation Plan has to be implemented at the same time. Efforts to improve the situation and the condition of the poor should be taken up which will benefit them," said Bhattacharya.

Rekha Goswami pointed out that the role of the self-help groups cannot be ignored either. These groups provide these people with a unique platform which will ensure that they not only become confident but also self-reliant.

The chief minister said: "I certainly believe that there is both a positive and negative side to the market economy, thus it is not omnipotent." He pointed out that the focus should be on the marginalised population.

"The fundamental issues of health, nutrition, education and employment should be addressed," said the chief minister."

The chief minister has also urged that initiative be taken wherein the members of these self-help groups and self-employment groups are made aware and educated which will initiate development.

The chief minister pointed out that other than the infrastructure which has to be improved, efforts should also go in to facilitate development of the human resources and this will ensure development of human society.

(Source-Indian Express,21/12/06)

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