Enhance spending on education: social sector experts to FM

Social sector representatives today pressed for more spending on education and expansion of scope of Nirbhaya Fund to effectively deal with crime against women even as Finance Minister Arun Jaitley assured them that government will take all steps to reap demographic dividend.
During the customary pre budget consultative meeting with the representatives of social infrastructure, human capital and development groups, the experts suggested that spending on education should be enhanced to 6 per cent of GDP.
Suggestions were also made about proper implementation of Prevention of Domestic Violence against Women Act, appointment of women protection officers, increasing the scope of Nirbhaya Fund to cover the domestic violence against women.

"A suggestion was made that Finance Minister may include a statement in his Budget Speech condemning violence against women showing unequivocal commitment of the Government in this regard," an official release said.
Jaitley will be presenting the Budget in February.
On his part, the Finance Minister said that more than 63 per cent of the population is in the age group of 15-59 years, broadly termed as India's demographic dividend.

He said while the young population provides India a great opportunity, but it also poses a great challenge to the government.
"...Benefits will flow only if our population is healthy, educated and properly skilled," he said, adding investments, especially in social infrastructure that build-up human capital are crucial.

He further said India needs to take advantage of this demographic window in the next couple of decades and garner its benefits.
The Finance Minister further said the government has put thrust on skill development as well as on 'Make in India' initiative to improve employability and create large employment avenues.
Talking about the economy, he said emerging trends indicate the growth deceleration in India has bottomed out. He also said that external environment has also largely turned in India's favour.
In such a back drop, Jaitley said domestic policies to achieve macro-economic balance and the on-going process of economic reforms would lend further strength to the economic recovery.

Jaitley added that the challenge before the country now is planning and acting towards converting its potential demographic force for enhancing opportunities of growth by dovetailing the quality of manpower to the requirements of employers, both domestic and international.