The executive secretary of COVA, Mohammed Turab welcomed the media and at the outset said that this is “Citizens Alert” all over the Country to watch over the political parties and the promises made by them before coming to power. The political parties make promises to the voters to come to power and these promises have to be fulfilled as per MDGs. The performance of the governments and their promises were reviewed on the parameters of MDGs in each state governed by different political parties and its report is being released today in a press conference.

The governments announce public welfare Schemes but do not implement effectively. Corruption is high. RTE implementation is not satisfactory. Arogya Sri is not implemented properly. Minorities are not given due share in the welfare schemes. For realization of the inclusive governance COVA is striving hard for last two years on proper functioning of Ward Committees and Area Sabhas through people’s participation.

Keeping in view the disparites between developed and under-developed countries and to bridge the gaps between them, the United Nations framed Millennium Development Goals for the under developed countries. Almost all countries including India are signatory to the eight MDGs, said Mr. S. Ramachandra Reddy.

He lamented on the progress and said that people in poor countries are not getting benefit of education, health and livelihood even to the minimum standards; the rich countries are getting richer and the poor countries are getting poorer, whereas 2015 is the target year to achieve these goals as per the United Nations.

He said that in six districts of Andhra Pradesh - Warangal and Mahabubanagar from Telangana Region, Visakhapatnam and Nellore from Andhra region, and Kadapa and Kurnool from Rayalaseema Regions - were covered and information/feedback collected through interviews of all categories of people from the grass roots. He said inclusive growth will be realized only through inclusive governance.

Prof. Rama Melkote said that Andhra Pradesh used to be most liberal state in India, but it’s not the same case at present. Inclusive and Social Development lack in Andhra Pradesh. The centre puts break in implementation of Common Minimum Program. She said that all the MDG’s have become expensive such as Health, Education have gone in the hands of Private people. Health and Education became more expensive; people have to sell their properties to pay for Health and Education.

The civic, political, economic, cultural and human rights have to be properly implemented. The facilities are not provided by the Govt. Most of the people are not able to avail the rights. Government is promoting privatization of education and health which is not within the reach of common man.

Social discrimination is more. The public policy is very important to provide free education and healthcare to citizens. There is a long list of discriminations in the name of caste, religion and gender. Likewise, we can list out as many issues as possible like Nutrition Scheme of ICDS and Anganwadi; the conditions of Minorities, Dalits and Adivasis and Gender issues which are not being addressed. The MDGs and CMP are not fulfilled and needs focused attention.

WNTA presently is a coalition of over 4000 rights action groups across 31 states of India who have come together to link individuals and social groups and engage policymakers on issues of strategic relevance. Its aim is to create a movement for Governance Accountability to End Poverty and Social Exclusion. The organization is also an affiliate of the UN Millennium Campaign (UNMC) and the Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP).