Field-based NGOs say UPA Government failed on the ground

New Delhi, May 24 (UNI) A meeting of over 100 Non-Governmental Organisations from across the country has slammed the two-year rule of the United Progressive Alliance at the Centre, saying it failed to keep most of its pre-election promises to the people.

''We had high hopes from this government but now it seems that forces of neo-liberalisation, privatisation and globalisation have taken it over completely,'' said Amitabh Behar, convenor of the meeting, called to review the UPA's performance on its Common Minimum Programme (CMP).

The government failed on all performance indicators on which the NGO organisations measured it. The ''Civil Society Board of Governance Accountability'' gave the UPA government an aggregate of only 2.96 out of a total of 10 marks.

''The government scores the maximum in governance -- 3.35 out of 10 -- yet fails to pass it. It scores 3.27 in education; 2.7 in health; 2.42 in social exclusion and discrimination; 3 in land, livelihoods and displacement and 3.05 in human rights and secularism,'' said a report released at the end of the two-day meet today.

The civil society groups asked the government, among other things, to honour its promise of allocating 6 per cent of the GDP for education, 3 per cent for health, ensure 33 reservation for women in legislative bodies and protect slum dwellers and the homeless.

Had the government X X X picking up from para four of DI 42, POLITICS-UPA-REPORT CARD.

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