Country Partnership Strategy for India: 2013–17
private-partnership model in health care could be promoted, with targeted subsidy for the poor. The World Bank could help in providing technical and managerial assistance to the sector, along with capacity building at various levels. Bank support could also be expanded to include the promotion of preventive and alternative medical systems. Education and skills Education was another area of concern. Participants highlighted the poor quality of elementary education, which laid a weak academic foundation that made it difficult for students to cope at higher levels, with direct effects on the quality of human resources. Moreover, the emphasis on enrolment numbers created an erroneous impression of universal schooling. Several speakers emphasized the need for meaningful skills training for youth to enable them to set up microenterprises and small businesses, thereby slowing the migration of rural youth to urban areas. There was also a perceived need to increase the number of seats available in institutions providing technical and vocational education, and increase resources allocated to such institutions. Urbanization Discussions also focused on the challenges created by India’s rapid urbanization. It was observed that $1 trillion would be needed for urban development over the next two decades to meet the needs of India’s rapidly urbanizing population. However, it was also suggested that allocations should go primarily to local governments, and that transparency in public expenditures should be strengthened. Some participants recommended that the WBG support the planned development of the rapidly growing second- and third-tier cities, especially by providing technological and scientific solutions for public transportation, waste disposal, and other urban problems. Several participants expressed apprehension that rapid urbanization, especially through rural-urban migration, was creating pockets of urban poverty that were likely to deepen unless the skills of rural migrants were developed to improve their employability. Facilities in rural areas also needed to be improved to halt migration to urban centers.
Governance The importance of good governance was repeatedly emphasized, particularly the need to tackle corruption. It was felt that improving governance should be a focus area of the Bank’s new strategy. Participants expressed the need for greater transparency and disclosure regarding the use of public funds and the outcomes of publicly funded programs. They also cited a need for independent monitoring at the block, district, and state levels. The Bank, they said, could provide technical assistance and expertise in this area. To support decentralized planning, participants saw it as important to strengthen grassroots institutions (Panchayati Raj institutions, or PRIs) and to build their capacity by sharing examples of successful community-driven projects, the more because the PRIs provided the only institutional encouragement to women’s political empowerment in the country. Convergence of government programs was also needed through greater interministerial and interdepartmental coordination. Several speakers pointed out the need to develop a current database of critical indicators—such as population, maternal health, education, location of resources, and so on—to improve development planning at the grassroots and to allocate resources wisely. Environment Participants highlighted the environmental cost of high growth as manifested in rampant water, air and soil pollution. It was emphasized that development programs should factor in environmental sustainability to ensure holistic development in addition to the creation of wealth creation and the stimulation of economic growth. It was also suggested that the Bank help the government to come up with a climate-change response for the medium and long terms. Infrastructure Discussions also centered on the need for strengthening infrastructure, particularly transport, communications, and power. Several participants felt that growth in sectors such as water, energy, roads and rail was needed if the manufacturing sector was to develop to its full potential.
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