2020-21 GPDP People’s Plan Campaign Sabki Yojana SabkaVikas Special Monitoring by NLMs Ministry of Rural Development Special Monitoring by National Level Monitors (Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India) People’s Plan Campaign Sabki Yojana, Sabka Vikas Disclaimer: This is a compilation of the reports submitted by the National Level Monitors. The views expressed in this Report & the observations are those of the National Level Monitors, and do not necessarily represent the views of The Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India or CMI Social Research Centre. Special Monitoring of People's Plan Campaign Sabki Yojana Sabka Vikas Gram Panchayat Development Plan People’s Plan Campaign Highlights Looking back at the past when Government schemes were implemented in a complete supply driven approach, it is difficult not to be proud of what the Government of India has tried to achieve by empowering the Gram Panchayats in order to enable them to develop their own Gram Panchayat Development Plan for socio-economic development and social justice, utilizing the resources available to them. A significant lack of infrastructure, socio-economic deprivations or any other problem in rural areas, Ministry of Rural Development, through its flagship programmes and a string of other schemes have arranged to provide financial support to address most of the enduring problems of rural India. The GPDP planning process provides for a comprehensive and participatory approach towards planning through convergence with schemes of all related central Ministries on the 29 subjects enlisted in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution. This compilation – based on field findings by independent NLM Agencies from 255 districts, 753 blocks and 2550 GPs spread over 23 States – suggests that the Government of India has started aiming high in its endeavour to transform the lives of people living in rural India. Riding on the successes and lessons from the previous year’s campaign – Sabki Yojana Sabka Vikas, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj issued instructions clearly emphasizing the need of evidence based planning ensuring participation of all section of the society, including the most deprived. The pace and effectiveness of communication to execute a campaign of such magnitude is always very important. There were instructions/advisories issued by Government of India starting from August, 2019 and States were required to give guidance to the districts to ensure that the campaign activities are taken up as per the prescribed timelines. While most of the States ensured that these instructions were received 1 Special Monitoring of People's Plan Campaign in time, some districts reported that these communications were received only after 15th September, 2019. The preparations in these areas therefore were done in a random and haphazard manner, effect of which was visible in the quality of implementation in some districts. Immediately upon receiving the communication, the district administrations coordinated with the line departments dealing with the 29 subjects, briefings and orientation meetings were conducted to ensure that the various processes under the campaign are informed to all the concerned officials. Many districts decided to set up WhatsApp Groups for better and faster communication amongst the functionaries. Newspaper advertisements, radio jingles and the campaigns on local television networks were undertaken to publicize the importance of GPDP and activities under People’s Plan Campaign. As per NLM reports, the facilitators were appointed and in most of the villages they performed the roles and functions assigned to them, very effectively. Facilitators were provided training on carrying out MA survey, facilitate the Gram Sabha, community mobilization and to support preparation of GPDP. Due to lack of awareness many PRI representatives were not aware about the concept of participatory planning and facilitators very effectively conveyed these concepts to the PRI functionaries and got them involved in organizing the Special Gram Sabha and development of GPDPs. States have formed State level Steering Committees for planning and monitoring the implementation of convergence approach under Mission Antyodaya. In most of the States, instructions have been issued on convergence of various schemes and resources, the districts have visibly felt the convergent approach as part of overall State planning. The NLM reports clearly reflect that such alignments are also likely to improve the impact of these schemes, utilize resources optimally and create sustainable assets. In most of the districts, the footprints of State level planning of convergence approach through Mission Antyodaya can be seen; it has helped in building synergies between various Government schemes in planning processes, harmonizing selection criteria and implementation. In the district reports, there have been examples highlighted where external contributions are reported from NRI individual’s donations, CSR contributions from companies and funds/grants received from NGOs. In some States, NRIs have contributed for local village infrastructure where these funds were added to the resource pool while formulating the GPDPs. 2 Special Monitoring of People's Plan Campaign Almost half of the districts visited by NLMs reported co-operation arrangements with Krishi Vigyan Kendra and Veterinary Institutions for developing capacities of the farming households in order to strengthen agriculture, horticulture and animal husbandry activities to accelerate transformation in the rural livelihoods and incomes of households. Ministry of Rural Development developed a descriptive video tutorial to explain the 143 questions and other processes of conducting Mission Antyodaya survey. In 220 districts the Mission Antyodaya video tutorial was played in the orientation/training for the survey. While most of the respondents appreciated the video tutorial, some of them gave very pertinent suggestions for improvements. NLMs have found that in majority of the States, the Mission Antyodaya Survey findings were presented in the Gram Sabha, feedback was taken and in many cases the data was also updated. NLMs have also reported on the participation of various stakeholders in the Special Gram Sabha for GPDP planning in the visited GPs. Apart from the frontline workers of various Line Departments, other stakeholders also participated in Gram Sabha meetings. The reports reflect that the participation was wide & universal and well represented by most of the key stakeholders which influence and matter in development planning and implementation in the rural areas. In most of the States, the Gram Sabha held in majority of the GPs took up discussions on the critical gaps identified and prioritizing the proposed interventions to fill these gaps. In majority of the GPs, SHGs / Village Organizations presented the details of Poverty Reduction Plan with the priorities indicated against the activities suggested. One of the major parts of the proceedings of Special Gram Sabha held during the Campaign was to discuss the activities and achievements of major Rural Development Schemes in the GPs. It was reported that these discussions were held in most of the GPs across the country. In the Special Gram Sabha, most GPs discussed the financial resources likely to be available during FY 2020-21. The FFC grants, SFC grants, MGNREGA, other RD schemes and own source revenue were the major sources discussed in the Gram Sabha. It was very inspiring to note that GPs across the country, discussed community assets - creation & maintenance including convergence under various schemes to achieve this. 3 Special Monitoring of People's Plan Campaign Public Information Boards were installed in majority of the GPs during the Sabki Yojana Sabka Vikas Campaign in 2019. In most of the villages where these boards were permanent (concrete/iron), the information was updated/repainted/rewritten for this year. In some villages new flex banners were installed with the prescribed information and were placed at prominent places. The intensive campaign mode approach under the People’s Plan Campaign continuously for a second year has improved the awareness levels amongst the general public on the GPDP preparation processes. The capacities of field functionaries and their attitudes towards developing an evidence based and participatory GPDP have shown significant progress. 4 Special Monitoring of People's Plan Campaign People’s Plan Campaign The 73rd amendment of the Constitution of India was a landmark arrangement to provide the constitutional status and institutional framework to Panchayats to strengthen grass root level democracy through elected local bodies in rural India. The Constitution empowers the Gram Panchayats for planning and implementation of schemes for socio-economic development of the villages. Ministry of the Panchayati Raj, Government of India has taken many initiatives to promote comprehensive and participatory planning processes for development of village level development plans. Now called Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs), these plans provide for an accelerated, multi-pronged and inclusive development in the respective areas. Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India decided to launch the People’s Plan Campaign also known as ‘Sabki Yojana, Sabka Vikas Campaign’. The campaign was designed to be an intensive and structured exercise for planning at Gram Sabha level through convergence between Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and