Assessment of State-Level Capacities for the Implementation of NCBF and to Undertake District Planning: Chhattisgarh
convergence around: •
A common set of capacity development targets among all capacity providers covering various PRIs, that is, a state capacity development perspective plan.
•
Institutions that can take a lead in providing specific knowledge and/or skills on specific themes or development needs of PRIs.
The CA revealed that existing training institutions in Chhattisgarh are ill-equipped to fully support the provisions of NCBF, much less respond to the capacity development demands of PRIs. While some overall recommendations relate to management practices, like a shift from activity-based planning to results-based management (RBM) approaches, the focus of the recommendations which are now given is on specific strategies for strengthening synergy and cooperation among ‘capacity providers’, as well as recommendations for strengthening the capacities of PRIs as beneficiaries based on information drawn from the capacity assessment. 3.1.1 Establish a State-level Standing Committee for Capacity Development of Panchayati Raj Institutions BRGF notes the need to establish five-year state capacity building perspective plans as part of NCBF, with nodal agencies to be established to lead their preparation. The formation of such a state-level perspective plan provides an opportunity for various departments to come together and share their knowledge and experience in formulating the state plan while identifying their potential roles and contributions in its implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. Establishing a State Standing Committee5 for Capacity Development of Panchayati Raj Institutions (SC-CDPRIs), with membership from key sectoral departments and training institutions, both public and private, and non-government organizations, as a venue for discussing and recommending policy changes which could improve the enabling environment for PRIs, options for strengthening key institutions in the state, formulating the capacity building perspective plan, and discussing capacity development options is, therefore, expected to serve as a venue for dialogue and for promoting local ownership of such a plan. DPR will play a catalytic and strategic role in coordinating the preparation of the perspective plan, and is proposed as Chair of the SC-CDPRIs given that the plan should ideally cover not only training but organizational and institutional systems and mechanisms as well. The capacities of DPR itself will need to be strengthened to effectively lead the SC-CDPRIs and it is suggested that administrative support be provided so that the committee can work efficiently. 3.1.2 Leadership Development Leadership development will be crucial for the effective functioning of PRIs in Chhattisgarh, particularly for new ERs/assigned officials who have not held public positions earlier. Other than basic information on national and state policies, legislations, guidelines, and procedures, the capacity assessment revealed the need for enhancing more fundamental aspects of leadership, not only among the assessed institutions, but among PRIs as well. It is recommended that senior and junior (or second in-command) officials from the 5
At the national level a Standing Committee for Strengthening Institutions engaged with the Capacity Development of the PRIs was constituted on 27-05-09 at NIRD, Hyderabad. Members of the Standing Committee are from MoPR, Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Urban Development, Department of Personnel and Training, as well as the Planning Commission. MoPR has requested the states to set up similar committees at the state level; a view may be taken to encourage membership of additional or different institutions/ departments as the CA had identified other bodies as potential capacity developers (like SHRC).
38
Ministry of Panchayati Raj, GoI: August 2011