New Delhi: India lags behind many developing nations in terms of child survival and basic education despite a considerable progress in the last two decades, World Bank said today (Sep 22, 2004).

"India has undoubtedly made considerable progress in the last two decades in promoting child survival and basic education. But in comparison to other developing countries, progress in India has been slower, particularly on Millennium Development Goals," a World Bank report 'Reaching Out to the Child' said.

Releasing the report, HRD (Human Resource Development) Minister Arjun Singh said, "It is true that policies, programmes and schemes of the Government tend to get compartmentalised and isolated for administrative reasons."

A fragmented and un-coordinated approach for human development was definitely inappropriate, more so for the child for whom the needs of health, nutrition and education have to be addressed in a holistic and comprehensive manner, Singh said.

He said there was "lack of commitment" by implementing agencies and inadequate service delivery mechanism.

"The quality of service delivery and accountability of delivery system, be it for health, primary education or early childhood care and education, needs to be ensured," Singh said, adding this would require devolution of powers to panchayats and village level groups of parents, particularly mothers.