Title :Need to formulate a Centrally sponsored Scheme for Child care in rural and hilly areas.
SHRI K.C. SINGH ‘BABA’ (NAINITAL): Through you, I rise to raise a very important issue concerning children of our country in whom lies the future of the nation. Sir, clause (f) of article 39 of the Constitution enjoins that the State shall direct its policy towards securing that children are given opportunities and facilities to develop in a healthy manner and in conditions of freedom and dignity. However, the efforts put in by the Central Government and the State Governments in providing opportunities and facilities to the children so that they grow in a healthy manner are not still adequate. I would, therefore, urge upon the Government to frame a special Centrally sponsored Scheme to look into matters relating to child health care. Under the said Scheme, sufficient funds should also be provided to the State Governments for reviving the existing primary health care centres and for establishing new health care centres with state of art technology and specialized teams for providing free medical care to the children particularly in rural and hilly areas.