The Union Budget 2025 aligns with the needs of working parents and young children, according to Chirashree Ghosh, National Coordinator of the Forum for Crèche and Child Care Services (FORCES). Ghosh says that the government’s commitment to establish 17,000 new Anganwadi-cum-creches is a promising step for young children and working parents. She observes that the budget also sees increased allocations for Saksham Anganwadi Centres and Poshan 2.0, and mentions that the government is working to reimagine the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) in a mission-driven approach. However, she adds that the true test lies in how these initiatives are rolled out at the grassroots level.
FORCES works at the intersecting rights of women, children, and labour and raises awareness about the issues faced by women and children in the informal sector, and also advocating for stronger policy frameworks and effective implementation.
In response to whether there has been a sufficient increase in allocations for early childcare, Ghosh acknowledges the improvement but stresses that state-level intervention is equally critical. She explains that most childcare schemes follow a 60:40 funding model—with 60% from the Union and 40% from state governments. She highlights that states like Haryana, Tamil Nadu, and Pondicherry have gone beyond their mandated share to invest more in young children. According to her, many of these schemes are being rolled out successfully in these regions.
On the subject of the Maternity Benefit Amendment Act, 2017, Ghosh refers to it as a progressive move, especially because it extends maternity leave from three to six months for women in the organised sector. She acknowledges that while many companies have implemented this provision, creche facilities in workplaces remain rare despite being mandated by the Act. Turning to the informal sector, she points to the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, which provides Rs 5,000 in three installments to eligible women. She considers the scheme widespread and beneficial in intent, but she also notes that migrant women face major hurdles in accessing these benefits, primarily due to lack of identity proof.
When asked about measures to support home-based childcare models, community creches, and employer-supported facilities, Ghosh says that while policies and legal provisions are in place, implementation remains a concern. She also highlights the lack of data on employer-run creches, which makes it difficult to assess their reach or effectiveness.
Reflecting on the Delhi Budget 2025, Ghosh expresses satisfaction, noting that many of FORCES’ community-based demands have been integrated into the budget. She emphasises that while the budget is encouraging, effective on-ground implementation and collective effort are needed to translate policy into reality.
Finally, when asked to imagine an ideal ecosystem for childcare in India, Ghosh expresses a vision where Early Childhood Development (ECD) becomes a fundamental right. She believes that every child should be able to claim their rights fully, so that they can grow up to contribute meaningfully to India’s human capital.
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