Finance, technology hamper implementation of SDGs: LS Speaker

The major challenges in the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are finance and technology, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said on Monday.

Mahajan told the "BRICS Parliamentary Cooperation on the Implementation of the SDGs" in Geneva that: "One of the effective means of meeting the financial needs is by involving the corporate sector, wherein corporate houses can participate in socio-economic development in various spheres."

As for technology, she emphasised on "evolution of credible mechanisms for global technology transfer, particularly to developing countries".

According to a Lok Sabha release in New Delhi, Mahajan highlighted the need to plug in the loopholes and ensure effective implementation of policies by removing last-mile hurdles in reaching out to all sections.

Regarding other challenges, she emphasised on improving the basic infrastructure, especially in rural areas, like roads, public transport, sanitation, education, healthcare and housing.

She felt that knowledge is a common heritage and it should not be kept under wraps. As such, she emphasised on the setting up of informal working groups to share the best practices of member nations.

Mahajan observed that the Indian parliament has passed some landmark legislations, such as the Right to Education Act for Children, Right to Information Act and the Domestic Violence Act, to ensure welfare for all, which is the underlying concept behind SDGs, the release said.

Even before the adoption of SDGs, several schemes, policies and programmes have been formulated in India to meet the basic necessities of its growing population, which shows that there is a convergence of vision between the SDGs and India's developmental planning, the Speaker said.

--IANS

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