Implementing Government Schemes: Understanding Convergence and Challenges in Rural Areas

CONVERGENCE ITS RELEVANCE IN IMPLEMENTATION OF GOVT. SCHEMES IN RURAL AREAS .RAJEEV SOOD, CONSULTANT-NIRDPR

DEFINITION OF CONVERGENCE CONVERGENCE IS WHEN TWO OR MORE THINGS COME TOGETHER TO FORM A NEW WHOLE. What is the real meaning of convergence in one word? To Become Similar or Come Together

What is the Concept Of Convergence? The Concept of Convergence is actually The act of Converging and Especially Moving Toward Union or Uniformity. The concept of Convergence Underlines the fact that Two or More Things or Ideas etc. become similar or come together which ultimately forms Interests/Opinions/Ideas. a Convergence Of

Importance of Government Schemes in Rural Areas The schemes being implemented in Rural Areas are especially designed to help the economically deprived, vulnerable people beneficiaries of schemes mostly comprise of economically backward or weaker sections of the society and low-income families. majority of the government rural, society. government or in The these

Main Obstacles in the Success of Govt. Schemes in Rural Areas The Major Obstacles in Successful Implementation of Different Govt. Schemes/ Programs in the Rural Areas are: Lack of Co-ordination between the Stakeholders(PRIs) and Different Departments working for them. Lack of/Absence of Co-ordination between Different Line Departments serving in Rural Areas. Less Availability/Paucity of Funds with Departments for On-Time Completion of a Project.

Main Obstacles in the Success of Govt. Schemes in Rural Areas Lack of A Proper & Comprehensive Planning by Departments. Disintegrated Efforts by Different Departments in the Implementation of Schemes/Projects. Unplanned & Un-organized Available Financial as well as Human Resources. Absence of the Sense Of Ownership of Govt. Schemes/ Prgrams amongst the Stakeholders (PRIs/General Public) Utilization of

RESULTS OF THESE OBSTACLES These Obstacles/ Obstructions cause Hindrances to the Development-Process in different ways, such as: Unnecessary Delays in Completion of Projects. The Intended Beneficiaries are Denied/Deprived of their Timely/Due-Benefits of the Scheme. Escalation of the Original Cost of the Scheme. Huge Wastage of Govt. Funds because of the Delays in Completion of Projects.

RESULTS OF THESE OBSTACLES Wastage of Available Financial as well as Human Resources because of lack of Co- ordination between Different Implementing Departments. Apprehensions of Duplicacy of Assets. Loss of Trustworthiness of the Stakeholders in Govt. Schemes/Programs. Delays in the Achievement of Targets of Programs/Schemes In their Scheduled Time- Frame.

Why Convergence is important? 1. The convergence will bring in synergies between different Programs/Schemes in terms of Planning, Process and Implementation. This will also facilitate Sustainable Convergence of funds from other sources can help in Creation Of Durable Assets. 2. Convergence will Minimise the Wastage of the Available Financial and Human Resources. 3. Convergence will avoid the Duplicacy of Assets. government Development.

What is Convergence of Schemes? Convergence Convergence Scheme/Programs. Development can occurs in Rural Areas by Integrating the Financial Resources as well as Physical, Institutional, Social and Economic Infrastructure. Many of the Sectoral Schemes of the Government Converge in this Goal, although their Path is Different. of Schemes with refers to the Other A Government Comprehensive

TYPES OF CONVERGENCE There are Two Types of Convergence of Govt. Schemes/Programs: The First one is where A Scheme of a Particular Department is Converged with Other Schemes of the Same Department, which is known as the Intra-Departmental Convergence . For example the Convergence of MGNREGS Scheme of the RD&PR Department with the SBM/NRLM/PMAY/IWMP/15THFC Schemes of the Same Department.

TYPES OF CONVERGENCE The Second Type of Convergence happens when a Scheme of a Particular Department is converged with Some Other Scheme(s) of Some Other Department(s). This type of Convergence is termed Departmental Convergence . For Example, the MGNREGS Scheme of R.D. Deptt. with the PMKSY/NHM/NADP/PMUY/MPLAD/MLALAD/ ITDP/BRGF Schemes of Other Departments. Inter- as the Convergence of the

STAGES OF CONVERGENCE In order to have a Truly Result-Oriented Convergence, it is very important to have Convergence between Stakeholders at All the Three Stages of a Project: 1. Convergence at the Planning Stage. 2. Convergence at the Implementation Stage. 3. Convergence at the Monitoring/ Reporting Stage. the Different

SECTORS OF CONVERGENCE For Convergence-Venture, we need to have an Inclusive Convergence of these Three Sectors: 1. Planning-Convergence 2. Financial-Convergence 3. Technological-Convergence. Any Perfect & Successful

What is Convergence Strategy? The Convergence Strategy Complements Programs Or Schemes which aim to help specific sectors, Individuals, Families, Households, and Communities. It involves Pooling Of Expertise and Resources , Channeling Of Efforts in Pursuit of A Commonly-Agreed Goal or Objective. such as Poor and the

What is the Process of Convergence? The defined Transformative Seemingly Technologies, Achieve Mutual Compatibility, Synergism, and Integration and thus to create added value to meet shared goals. Convergence as Process Escalating Interactions Different and Communities has been and Among The Disciplines, To

What is the Meaning of A Convergence Plan? A Convergence Plan is a Type of Schedule that Identifies and Monitors a Project's Critical Convergence Points , and ONLY THOSE. A Convergence-Point, in turn, is A Key Moment in the Schedule where more than two components or deliverables must meet to allow the project to move forward. Deliverables and

MERITS OF CONVERGENCE OF DIFFERENT GOVT. SCHEMES The Convergence of Government Schemes can have many merits, including: IMPROVED COORDINATION: Convergence of schemes can lead to better coordination between different departments and ensure that funds are used to benefit the intended beneficiaries. INCREASED SOCIAL CAPITAL: Collective planning and implementation can improve social capital, which can lead to better management and work output. INCREASED PHYSICAL CAPITAL: The process will help in creating durable assets and will also improve land productivity.

MERITS OF CONVERGENCE OF DIFFERENT GOVT. SCHEMES SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: Convergence efforts can lead to Sustainable Development Through the Creation Of Durable Assets, Rural Connectivity, Development. INCREASED ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES: Can Generate Income Opportunities, Savings, and Investments. MITIGATED CLIMATE CHANGE EFFECTS: MGNREGS can help address issues like Industrial Pollution and CO Emissions. and Capacity

MERITS OF CONVERGENCE OF DIFFERENT GOVT. SCHEMES STREGTHENED DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES: Convergence Awareness and Planning At the Grassroots Level can Lead To Greater Ownership of Projects. COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT: Convergence can lead Development in areas By Integrating Physical, Institutional, Social, and Economic Infrastructure. MINIMUM WASTAGE OF RESOURCES: Convergence can Avoid Or Minimise the Wastage of the Financial as well as the Human Resources. to Comprehensive

Planning and Execution of Centrally Sponsored Schemes: Role of PRIs The Role of Panchayats varies across different Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSSs), which are administered by different Union Ministries. Among the major CSSs- MGNREGS, PMAY (G), SBM, NRLM, PMKSY, NRDWSP, National Horticulture Mission, Macro Management of Agriculture, Micro Irrigation etc. are the schemes, which provide for roles and responsibilities for Panchayats. Ministry of Panchayati Raj has issued detailed advisory in this regard to Central Ministries for responsibilities to Panchayati Raj Institutions in implementing the Centrally Sponsored Schemes. delineating roles and

New MoPR Guidelines on GPDP The GPDP allows for different local models and innovations that would be locally appropriate and cost effective. It helps to transform GPs into institutions of local self governance and to cement the GP s identity as development institution. A Locally Generated Plan would also be the only way To Use Untied Resources efficiently and accountably. It has the added advantage of Orienting Departments to Competition among GPs to improve performance. The Overall Process Of Participatory Planning for a Gram Panchayat Development Plan will: Improve Service Delivery. Enhance Citizenship. Motivate Volunteerism. Create Space for an Alliance of People s Institutions and Groups. Improve Governance At The Local Level. local needs and Inducing

Tools and Strategies for Preparation of GPDP through CONVERGENCE Article 243-G of the Indian Constitution mandates preparation of plans for economic development and social justice by Panchayats and through this process Panchayats are expected to evolve into institutions of local self-governance. Over the last two decades several initiatives have been taken by the State and the Central Government to realise this mandate. However, resource constraints, inadequate facilitation and limitations of capacity have slowed down the pace of decentralisation. MGNREGA breakthrough by statutorily empowering Panchayats to prepare plans for the schemes. However, only in the last one year, concerted efforts have been made as part of Intensive Participatory Planning Exercise participatory planning for MGNREGS under the leadership of Gram Panchayats. provided a significant (IPPE) to bring about

Tools and Strategies for Preparation of GPDP through CONVERGENCE Now, the XV Finance Commission has awarded a substantial grant exclusively for the Gram Panchayats to be devolved over a period of five years. Over this period, as per the existing trend, GPs are likely to get at least an equivalent amount from MGNREGS. Further, State Finance Commission (SFC) transfers, Own Source Revenues and flows from State and Centrally sponsored schemes would enlarge the financial resources of the GPs. The GPDP should ideally match Peoples Needs And Priorities With Available Resources and Additionally Mobilise Local Resources Through A Fair, Inclusive, Transparent And Participatory Process. The focus would be on Local Development Issues, local perception of need and priority, local analysis of problems and solutions, local resources management all within a collective local vision based on the Principle of Antyodaya .

Role Of Participatory Rural Appraisal in Planning Process Both the Constitution of India and the State Panchayati Raj Acts lay emphasis on planning for local economic development and social justice by the Panchayats. The Process of Inducting PRA in Planning has many advantages and benefits, some of which, are as follows: 1. It captures felt local needs and provides better appreciation of local potential. 2. It becomes an operational methodology for convergence from below based on local need and demand and helps unreached/excluded within a Panchayat Area. to reach the

Role of Participatory Rural Appraisal in Planning Process 3. It Can Respond to differential needs of different groups as It Enables Mobilisation Of All Sections Of Society and Their Participation In Governance. 4. It provides space for Integration f People s Knowledge and Wisdom into local development efforts, Enhances Understanding of Development in them, Ensures Easy Access To Resources/Entitlements/Services. 5. It Leads To Better Absorption And Targeting Of Funds From Different Sources, especially CSSs. It Helps Forge Better Bond Between The Panchayats and Local Citizens, Leads to Responsive Facilitates Enhanced Local Resource Mobilisation. Governance and

Integration of SDGs at GP Level Through CONVERGENCE Focusing on Gram Panchayats and the SDGs, it can be said that the Convergence is Pivotal, keeping in view the following Key Factors:- Meeting the Twin Objectives of Panchayats - Ensure Local Economic Development and Social Justice. Most of the SDG targets are within the purview of the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution. Various Flagship Programmes are At The Core of the SDGs. Flagship programmes like MGNREGS/ SBM/ NRLM/ NHM/ PMKSY/IWMP/ SSA/ICDS/ NRDWSP, Tribal and SC Sub-Plan Schemes along with Different State Schemes are meant for Socio-Economic and Human Development. Panchayats Play a Pivotal Role in Implementation of these Programs in Rural Areas.

Resources Envelope for Integrating with GPDP and SDGs Financial Resources available to the GP could be Tied, or Untied. If the funds are from a particular scheme, there would be conditionality regarding usage and approval processes. Central Government and State Government may indicate Panchayat by September in preceding year. In case resource envelop is not informed formally to GPs, they may plan for similar amount as received in the current year. The types of resources available for GPDP have been dealt with in details at Para 4.10 in Chapter 4 of the Guidelines. resource envelop to

Resources Envelope for Integrating with GPDP and SDGs States are required to ensure that all fund flow to GPs is made on Public Financial Management System (PFMS). Clear fund flow mechanisms for all the categories of funds mentioned in the resource envelope need to be developed by the State, which would include defined time period within which the funds would reach the GPs. All out efforts are intended to be carried out by the States for universal adoption of electronic fund management system which will help in monitoring both the receipts and expenditure of funds by the GPs.

CONCLUSION Gram Panchayats (GPs) are The Primary Centre Of Convergence and their strengthening is required for effective functioning. Convergence between Central, State and Local governments along with primary focus towards the people as an institutional mechanism to reach up to the last mile for governance should be a priority. the Goals are Not Economic but Social, as the Participation of the Local Stakeholders with an integrated approach is the most important factor in it. Convergence Of Minds is the Most Important Tool for Tangible Outcomes in Convergence.

SO, LETS ENDEAVOUR TO FIRST CONVERGE OUR MINDS AND THEN OUR ACTIONS FOR A DEVELOPED & PROSPEROUS RURAL-INDIA -THANKS- .RAJEEV SOOD