Plan panel to fine-tune PC’s gender budgeting

The Planning Commission is working on a new policy on gender budgeting, a topic mentioned in passing by Finance Minister P. Chidambaram in h...

The Planning Commission is working on a new policy on gender budgeting, a topic mentioned in passing by Finance Minister P. Chidambaram in his budget, where funds would be earmarked for only schemes that are relevant to women.

‘‘It is time the budgeting for women moves away from a game of numericals and touches their lives in the real sense,’’ said Dr Sayeeda Hameed, the lone woman member in the Commission.

Her assertion came after a day-long brainstorming on the topic with representatives from the National Commission for Women, the Department of Child and Women Welfare, the Finance Ministry and international organisations.

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‘‘The Commission wants to have a new policy where funds would be earmarked for schemes that have relevance to women,’’ Hameed said. ‘‘We want specific schemes that have maximum impact to be funded. And it should be compulsory for all government departments to cooperate in making these plans work.”

Chidambaram’s budget puts the onus of spending on women on only 10 government departments and makes no mention of ‘‘joint ventures’’ by departments.

Citing female foeticide, Sayeeda said it can be only be tackled when funds are earmarked for this and all governmental wings are ‘‘duty-bound to make it a success’’.

‘‘The Commission’s involvement would mean these recommendations would not only be incorporated in the next budget but also in future five-year and state plans,’’ said NCW member Nirmala Seetharaman.

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