JS body calls for 'child budget'

Fifteen members of the parliamentary caucus on child rights yesterday urged the government to incorporate a "Child Budget" focusing on the welfare of children.
The National Child Policy 2011 and the draft Child Act 2013, being reviewed in parliament, cannot be effectively implemented without a specific budget for children, they told a press briefing at Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.
The recommendation came after finance minister's budget speech brought attention to ensuring education for the underprivileged children, setting up a child helpline, and making a list of the ultra-poor for their inclusion in the social safety net programmes.
The budget will provide the framework for the implementation of resources for these projects, they said.
They said since one-third of the population now lived in urban areas, the child budget should ensure safe water, sanitation and education for children of the urban poor.
"Slum children with birth registration could be provided with identity cards for accessing government healthcare services," suggested Kazi Maruful Islam, an associate professor at Dhaka University, and consultant to the parliamentary body.
"However, it is to be acknowledged that such ventures may be limited to established slums only," said Chowdhury Mohammad Tayub Tajammul, an official at Save the Children.
"The welfare of children with physical and mental disabilities must also be taken care of. The child budget could be used to give higher wages to the teachers of handicapped children," said the caucus chairperson, Asma Zarin Jumu.