Workshop on Bangaru Telangana & Sustainable Development Goals - A Report
Date: July 13th and 14th, 2017
Venue: Sravan Kumar Hall, Tungabhadra, Dr MCR HRD IT, Hyderabad
Workshop on Bangaru Telangana & Sustainable Development Goals - A Report
Date: July 13th and 14th, 2017
Venue: Sravan Kumar Hall, Tungabhadra, Dr MCR HRD IT, Hyderabad
Abbreviations
AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome AMRUT Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation APEDA Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority APL Above Poverty Line ASCI Administrative Staff College of India BC Backward Classes BPL Below Poverty Line CBR Crude Birth Rate CDS Centre for Dalit Studies CGG Centre for Good Governance CII Confederation of Indian Industries CSD Centre for Good Governance CSR Corporate Social Responsibility DIET District Institute for Education and Training ECCD Early Childhood Care and Development ECE Early Childhood Education GDP Gross Domestic Product GER Gross Enrollment Ratio GOI Government of India GST Goods and Service Tax HDI Human Development Index HIV Human Immuno Virus IAS Indian Administrative Service HRIDAY Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana ICDS Integrated Child Development Scheme ICRISAT International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics ICT Information Communication Technologies IES Indian Economic Service ILO International Labour Organisation IPS Indian Police Service ISB Indian School of Business
Abbreviations iii IT Information Technology MCRHRDIT Marri Chenna Reddy Human Resource Development Institute of Telangana MMR Maternal Mortality Ratio MMTS Multi-Modal Transport System MSME Micro Small Medium Enterprises NAAC National Assessment and Accreditation Council NFSA National food Security Act NIN National Institute of Nutrition NITI Aayog National Institution for Transforming India Aayog NMR Neonatal Mortality Rate ODF Open Defecation Free PESA Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas Act PMKSY Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana PPPP Public Private and People Participation RICH Research and Innovation Circle of Hyderabad RTE Right To Education SC Schedule Caste SCERT State Council of Educational Research and Training SCP Sustainable Consumption and Production SDGs Sustainable Development Goals SHG Self Help Groups SME Small and Medium Enterprise SRS Sample Registration System ST Schedule Tribe SUH Shelter for Urban Homes TFR Total Fertility Rate TSWREIS Telangana Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society U5MR Under 5 Mortality Rate UEE Universal Elementary Education UN United Nations UNDP United Nations Development Programme UNEP United Nations Environment Programme UNICEF United Nations Children's Fund UNIDO United Nations Industrial Development Organization
iv Workshop on Bangaru Telangana & Sustainable Development Goals - A Report Contents
Abbreviations iii
Introduction 1
DAY 1
Inaugural Session 5
Session 1: Panel Discussion On “Quality Education and Skill Development” 11
Session 2: Welfare Agenda for Bangaru Telangana – The Way Forward 19
DAY 2
Session 3: Urban Development– Smart Cities and Urban-Centric Sanitation 27
Session 4: Innovation and Industry 33
Session 5: Health and Nutrition in Telangana – Challenges and Opportunities 41
Session 6: Revamping Agriculture and Reviving Rural Economy in Telangana 47
Valedictory Session 55
Conclusion and Way Forward 59
Programme Schedule 63
Contents v
Introduction
he Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a framework of 17 goals and 169 targets Tthat are universal and spread across social, economic and environmental fields. Signed by 193 countries including India, the SDGs were adopted for implementation from 1 January 2016 and are expected to be achieved before 31 December 2030. The goals address the critical challenges faced by the world today, including elimination of poverty, providing quality education and health, achieving gender equality, ensuring safe drinking water and sanitation, modern energy and decent work, resilient infrastructure, sustainable cities, and sustainable consumption and production, combating climate change, protecting ecosystems, halting biodiversity loss, promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, and providing access to justice for all.
Committed to achieving the SDGs, the Government of India, along with state governments, has undertaken multi-level action to implement the SDGs in India. NITI Aayog has initiated consultations with the union ministries, state governments and other stakeholders to formulate strategies and draw action plans towards realising the SDGs across the nation. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation and the NITI Aayog are working towards identifying measurable indicators to track the outcomes of SDG implementation.
By adopting a three-pronged strategy of accelerating economic growth, improving infrastructure facilities, social protection programmes targeting social welfare and inclusive growth, the state of Telangana envisages to bring in comprehensive, inclusive and holistic development in the state. By 2030, the State Vision is to be a "Bangaru Telangana" (Golden Telangana). The “Bangaru Telangana”, will provide its people, the best opportunities for prosperity and wellbeing and enjoy a high quality of life.
Integrating the SDGs framework into its building of a ‘Bangaru Telangana’, the Government of Telangana has taken steps to operationalise the SDGs in the State. So far, the planning department, which is the nodal department for implementing the SDGs framework, has initiated sensitisation of lead departments and district administration about SDGs and mapped all the flagship programmes with the Goals in mind. Administrative departments are in the process of preparing the 15-year Vision for each department, keeping in view the goals set under SDGs, the 7-year Strategy to convert the longer Vision into implementable policy and the 3-year Action Plan.
In this regard, planning department along with MCRHRDIT, with the support from UNICEF and UNDP, organised a two-day workshop at MCRHRDIT. This workshop facilitated interaction between departments and sectoral experts, sharing by NITI Aayog and UN agencies, sharing of action taken and challenges faced by different departments on Bangaru Telangana and SDGs.
Introduction 1 Prioritizing themes for the workshop was based on the concern of the state, inter-linkages among SDGs and action taken by the state. State has already taken up several initiatives in building a Bangaru Telangana which compliments SDG goal 6 on –‘providing safe drinking water and sanitation’. However, considering the inter-linkages among SDGs, all goals were either directly or indirectly touched upon in the workshop.
On this occasion, “Centre for Sustainable Development Goals” is set up at MCRHRDIT campus by Planning Department. This centre will function under the management of MCRHRDIT and is envisioned to support the departments in achieving SDGs. The center will support the respective departments draft their vision document, monitoring framework and technical know-how on SDGs for the forthcoming years.
This document captures the proceedings of the sessions during the two day workshop held on 13-14 July, 2017. The document adopted the methodology of capturing the essence of communication by each speaker, covered the queries and discussions, and thereafter, attempted to derive a concluding note based on the session. This document is intended to be a ready reference for all the participating departments while drafting their departmental vision on SDGs.
2 Workshop on Bangaru Telangana & Sustainable Development Goals - A Report Centre for Sustainable Development Goals – An initiative by Government of Telangana
Inauguration of Centre for Sustainable development
Centre for Sustainable Development Goals is a knowledge centre set up by Planning Department under the management of Dr MCR HRD Institute of Telangana (MCRHRDIT), Hyderabad.
The Centre for Sustainable Development was inaugurated during the inaugural session of the workshop on 13 July, 2017 at Dr MCR HRD Institute of Telangana (MCRHRDIT) by Dr V.K. Saraswat, Member, NITI Aayog. Other dignitaries present were Mr S. Niranjan Reddy, Vice-Chairman, Planning Board, Government of Telangana, Mr B.V. Papa Rao, IAS (Retd.), Advisor, Policy & Institutional Development, Government of Telangana, Mr Diego Palacios, UN Resident Coordinator for India (a.i) and Ms Meital Rusdia, Chief, UNICEF, Hyderabad office and Mr B.P. Acharya, IAS, Special Chief Secretary, Planning Department and Director General, MCRHRDIT.
The centre is established with the knowledge support from UNDP and UNICEF and will work in tandem with UN agencies to support the state in accessing international technical know-how on achieving Sustainable Development Goals.
Located in the premises of MCRHRDIT, the Centre will facilitate the state departments in developing the vision document and plan of action for implementing the SDGs. The Centre will work with the departments in providing inputs to dovetail the SDGs along with realising Bangaru Telangana. The aim of this Centre is to aid interaction between the department and sectoral experts to support the departments to plan, implement, monitor and align its programmes and schemes to achieve the SDGs. The Centre will be working in tandem with the Planning Department and UN agencies.
Introduction 3
DAY 1: Inaugural Session
Guest Speakers
Ms Meital Rusdia Chief, UNICEF, Hyderabad office
Mr B.V. Papa Rao, IAS (Retd.) Advisor, Policy & Institutional Development, Government of Telangana
Mr S. Niranjan Reddy Vice-Chairman, Planning Board, Government of Telangana
Mr Diego Palacios UN Resident Coordinator for India (a.i)
Dr V.K. Saraswat Member, NITI Aayog, Government of India, New Delhi
Mr B.P. Acharya, IAS Special Chief Secretary, Planning Department and Director General, MCRHRDIT
ollowing the inauguration of Centre for Sustainable Development at MCRHRDIT Fcampus, the workshop “Bangaru Telangana and Sustainable Development Goals”, jointly organized by the Planning Department, Telangana, and MCRHRDIT on 13th and 14th July 2017 at the institute, was held & hosted by Mr B.P. Acharya, Special Chief Secretary, Planning Department, which includes presentation of mementos – saplings of Jammi, botanical name ‘Prosopis Cineraria’ the state tree of Telangana.
Mr B.P. Acharya
Om Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah/Sarve Santu Nir-Aamayaah | Sarve Bhadraanni Pashyantu | Maa Kashcid-Duhkha-Bhaag-Bhavet | Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih.
In his opening address, Mr Acharya emphasised that the SDGs provide a framework for working towards holistic and balanced development. Citing Indian scriptures, which have already focused on these issues, he quoted a Sanskrit shloka from the Rigveda – Om Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah/Sarve Santu Nir-Aamayaah | Sarve Bhadraanni Pashyantu | Maa Kashcid-Duhkha-Bhaag-Bhavet | Om
Inaugural Session 5 Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih. It means ‘May all become happy, May all be free from illness, May all see what is auspicious, May no one suffer, May there be peace, peace, peace.’ Now, he said, we can adapt this shloka through the SDGs, which provide us a framework to plan on, whereas there was a lack of integration in the MDGs.
The last goal of the SDGs means that no one shall be left behind –holistic development of everyone is the guiding principle and ‘Partnership is the key’ — then all 17 SGDs can be achieved. This partnership among the UN, UNICEF and this State of Telangana would be a fruitful one, making the dream of ‘Bangaru Telangana’ a reality.
The objective of the two-day workshop was to sensitise government departments to achieve SDGs, help envision the SDG plan of action for the state-specific issues by looking at the experiences of other states, and understand the key issues that need to be addressed by different stakeholders. All this would help the departments and key functionaries develop a plan that would help Telangana achieve the goals set to build and develop a thriving state.
Ms Meital Rusdia
Children are our present and the world’s future. Children are covered by all the SDGs and hence need to be given high priority.
– Ms Meital Rusdia
The state’s initiative of the SDGs was timely. Now, it was crucial to look at the four dimensions of the SDGs– Social Equity, Economic Growth, Protecting the Environment, and Peace and Justice. Among the 169 targets, 95 are related to children and 45 among them are very vital.
Key factors that need to be considered are: Policy Support: Publicise what the SDGs mean for children Programming: Explore new approaches in planning Evidence generation: Create statistical data relating to SDGs Citizen Platform Innovative models: Build non-finance models for achieving results and policy development Resource mobilisation: Work on leveraging finances Linkages: Link with several other departments and integrate action Partnership: Develop partnerships with the media, build knowledge support
Ms Rusdia appealed for the focus of SDGs to be on the benefit of the children and assured complete support from UNICEF.
6 Workshop on Bangaru Telangana & Sustainable Development Goals - A Report Mr B.V. Papa Rao
Sustainable development goals are as old as the Puranas and are a necessary instrument for human development.
In order to achieve the SDGs, extensive planning is essential. Telangana has come close to achieving the goal of providing clean water to all households, being the first state to provide clean water through a protected source of water through Mission Bhagiradha, but the challenge is sanitation. Solving water issues alone poses problems as there needs to be a subsequent plan for the waste-water management. Water and sanitation need to go hand in hand and hence it is essential to have comprehensive sanitation with waste- water treatment plans. Such planning helps in clean sanitation and waste management and also clears the dilemma of water crisis and water pollution.
While investment results in growth, there is little correlation between the GDP and human development, so the State needs to determine our economy by using our HDI (Human Development Index).
Mr S. Niranjan Reddy
The initiative of the planning department of the Government of Telangana was pertinent. People who confront the issues of the future are visionaries and people who tackle the present-day issues are rulers, and the Honourable Chief Minister of the State of Telangana is a true visionary. The state government has set up various schemes and programmes that are in line with the SDGs set by the UN. The government had already begun its action before the SDGs came into action and the results so far have been positive.
Mission Kakatiya, one of the flagship programme of the state, was allocated a budget of about Rs.14,000 crore per year, with the objective of harvesting rain water, rejuvenating collection and storage systems, and recharging ground water. More than one lakh water bodies (created by the mediaeval rulers, the Kakatiyas) were restored. Haritha Haram a large scale plantation flagship programme of state, which strives towards environmental sustainability, is also in tune as one of the SDG goals.
Any new innovations and ideas that emerged from this workshop would be received by the government and it would implement them keeping in view the best interests of the state’s welfare.
Inaugural Session 7 Mr Diego Palacios
The vision of Telangana state is beyond the SDGs.
– Mr Diego Palacios
The NITI Aayog is to be congratulated for the consultations and on bringing the states together, The Telangana government is doing commendable work developing plans and bringing out various initiatives which are in line with the SDGs. The SDGs are not only an important document but also an ambitious agenda. The implementation of the SDGs is not only the role of the government but also a process where all civil societies need to participate.
India as a country plays a crucial role for the outcome of SDGs and the state’s achievement will also contribute in achieving the global target of implementing the SDGs. It is good that India has taken this responsibility very seriously. For example, in the case of MMR, India contributes about 35 per cent of global figures, so reduction in MMR in the state will help achieve global goals.
For the SDGs to be achieved it is necessary to integrate the three main pillars of the SDGs: Social Development, Economic Development and Environmental Development. Proper planning and utilisation of funds, creating incentives for every development and partnership are the key factors for achieving the SDGs.
UN agencies will support the Government of Telangana in every way possible to achieve the SDGs.
Dr V.K. Saraswat
We need to develop the Indian technique of jugaad, meaning minimum input and maximum output.
–Dr V.K. Saraswat
The role of states is crucial in achieving SDGs, Dr Saraswat emphasised, appreciating that Telangana was one of the best states, doing well at the SDGs and organising such consultations towards striving for the SDGs.
Comparing the rate at which the artificial and biological worlds grow, he said that God has created the biological world – the ocean, space, human beings –while Man has created a habitant world – a social, technological and artificial world. Achieving equilibrium is a very slow process and there is tremendous strain on the biological world because of difference of rates of growth. Mankind, being a common element in both the worlds, should involve itself as much as possible in the structuring and aim at achieving the SDGs.
8 Workshop on Bangaru Telangana & Sustainable Development Goals - A Report He stated that the SDGs were two-fold, where change and development were the contributing factors. Quoting Einstein, “We cannot solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them,” he said we need to develop the Indian technique of jugaad, meaning minimum input and maximum output. Dr Saraswat said that we need to stop following footprints and revamp the education curriculum towards research.
Emphasising the critical role public servants play, Dr Saraswat stated that the focus of any action should be long-term results and not short-term. Giving the example of the Metro rail, he said that the Metro rail would have been a boon in the long run if it had been constructed underground and the chaos in the city during its construction could also have been avoided. He said that suitability filters need to be put on every decision to achieve the SDGs and a platform needs to provide the means to identify the pros and cons in each and every decision. He then concluded saying that technology should be used sparingly for the human good, saying “Let us not use the technology which we have used before; let us not leave a footprint – let us leave a handprint because if we follow our footprints then Earth cannot live.”
Session Wrap-up
The inaugural session highlighted the need for aligning the framework of the SDG goals with Bangaru Telangana. It also highlighted the excellent initiatives towards the SDG goals already taken up by the state government and its further plans to augment the existing initiatives. By and large, the state shall look towards: Setting social, economic and environmental development as a foundation for all development work within the SDGs framework Making the focus on children’s interests and rights a special component of all initiatives Basing all new initiatives of the state on extensive planning. Their value in contributing to achieving the SDGs will be considered at the planning stage itself Ensuring the State is persistent and systematic in its plan to build capacities to implement the SDGs, strengthen and build partnerships, bring civil societies to work in a coherent and consistent way.
Inaugural Session 9
SESSION 1: Panel Discussion On “Quality Education and Skill Development”
SDG# 4 Quality Education SDG # 5 Gender Equality SDG # 10 Reduce Inequalities
Panel Experts
Dr R.V. Vaidyanath Aiyar, IAS (Retd.), Former Secretary, HRD, GOI Mr Ramesh Datla, Chairman, CII, Southern Region Prof. Jandhyala B.G. Tilak, Former VC, NUEPA, New Delhi Mr Ramachandra Rao Begur, Senior Education Specialist, UNICEF, New Delhi
Moderator: Ms Ranjeev R. Acharya, IAS, Special Chief Secretary, Education, Government of Telangana
ne of the lynchpins of sustainable development is a well-educated and skilled Opopulation, with equal rights and opportunities for all. The UN has urged that by ‘investing in education now, in a balanced way across levels and in equitable ways across population groups, will increase the effectiveness of education systems to deliver the anticipated benefits and will have a multiplier effect across the sustainable development agenda’.1
SDG 4 is a transformative agenda for education sector with focus on good quality education from primary to tertiary level including technical and vocational skill development and increase in employability. In fact, the scope of the goal goes far beyond to lifetime learning opportunities and international partnerships for higher learning. Besides, SDG 4 is a critical goal which will contribute indirectly towards achieving all other goals. Considering the fact that education is a critical area for transforming the socio - economic status of the people, the state of Telangana has identified education as a priority area of intervention under Bangaru Telangana and has taken several initiatives in education sector. The decisive role of the theme holds the session very crucial and critical. The session was attended by representatives from the Departments of Education, Women and Child Welfare, Welfare, Labour, Employment, Training and Factories, Youth Advancement, Tourism and Culture.
1 Source: http://www.merinews.com/article/should-new-education-policy-of-india-be-guided-by- sdgs-agenda-agreed-by-world-community/15915842.shtml
Panel Discussion On “Quality Education and Skill Development” 11 Ms Ranjeev R. Acharya
Quality education is essential; it can make a difference in attain SDGs. The first step to attaining the SDGs should be analysis of the SDGs, before bringing out an action plan by the departments. Access, equity and quality are the three pillars of education. The highest rate of enrolment of children at primary level (98 per cent) was achieved in the state after implementation of the RTE Act and Universal Elementary Education (UEE). At the secondary school level, enrolment (GER 35.5 per cent), retention and transition still remain a major challenge.
Gender indicators clearly show that in the state of Telangana, gender equity has been achieved. The enrolment of girls is higher compared to boys. Also, social and economic equity has improved; more students from weaker sections are enrolled in government schools. On quality parameters, a little effort is being ensured by means of various skill development programmes, a lot needs to be done. Enrolment in government colleges was minimal at intermediate level, and at collegiate level most girls opt for conventional courses. Only five out of 16 NAAC accredited universities scored well on quality parameters, showing the need for improvement.
Decreasing levels of enrolment in government institutes and low retention at higher levels of education are the major concerns to focus on, for the education.
Dr R.V. Vaidyanath Aiyar
Dr Aiyar emphasised foremost the need for quality education. The second factor, he said, is access and participation of under privileged community in education. He stressed the need for the government to come up with strategies that enhance learning outcomes and competency-based teaching, and stressed the need for customised planning for each university in the state. A vibrant teachers training programs, rejuvenating DIET and NCERT to improve teaching and exploring newer methods for monitoring of schools are also important and need of the time. It is important to use technology such as digital classrooms to enhance the quality of education. Dr Aiyar pointed out that the education department is giving greater importance to non-academic activities like developing infrastructure and administrative tasks instead of focusing on academics to ensure quality education.
Mr Ramesh Datla
Mr Datla illustrated the need for specific skill development and strengthened job training, with an example from California, USA. Education sector should adopt a new approach like in industry; self-assessment of what skills are needed to achieve results should be developed in education sector to improve the quality of education. On the brighter side, he mentioned a few positive initiatives taken up like Amar Raja Batteries industries (skill training of local youth to prevent migration), Cyient (providing digital libraries for 25
12 Workshop on Bangaru Telangana & Sustainable Development Goals - A Report schools) and Vishnu Foundation (science labs in villages) under their CSR component to compensate the gaps in education facilities and for job skill development. He stressed the need to improve the value of education sector by developing linkages with industry especially for providing in-house training and preparing them for jobs, the need to have a consistent policy on skill development and periodic upgrading of curriculums.
Prof. Jandhyala B.G. Tilak
Liberal public funding of education is key to ensure adequacy, equity and efficiency.
– Prof. Jandhyala B.G.Tilak
The Constitution of India gives every Indian child the right to free and compulsory education. This lays the responsibility on the government to ‘provide free and compulsory education for all’, in line with SDG 4.
J.P. Naik, founder of the Indian Institute of Education, once said, the fact that all these years education was not given adequate attention was a criminal neglect and needs to be given adequate attention. Goal 4 of the SDGs is all-encompassing, covering all aspects of education, and is very important as it is not only related to just education but also helps in reaching other goals, to address issues like poverty, unemployment, growth, health, nutrition, sanitation, peace and violence.
Education is directly correlated to poverty and inequality and it is important to address the causes of why people do not get educated.
It is important to recognise that education is a lifelong activity and there should not be a fragmented approach. Inter-sectoral linkages play an important role at all three levels of education.
Expansion of education has taken place on a large scale but the focus needs to be on Quality, Quantity and Equity (QQE), as all three are equally important. Education is a costly activity and not enough has been spent on it. There should be more investment on the quality of education as compared to quantity. For the past two decades, budget allocations at state and national levels have been between one and two per cent to less than four per cent of the budget. This is far below internationally accepted levels and much less than that specified by the Kothari Commission, which recommended 20 per cent. Sufficient funds should be allocated to ensure quality education. States should finance public schools. Public school systems are the foundations for the development of a country. Higher education has become commercially oriented and is largely operated by private institutions.
The Right to Education (RTE) is a positive development but the provision of 25 per cent of admissions to less privileged children in private schools suggests that government schools are not good enough. This approach accepts and indirectly promotes more inequalities in society. Such aspects need to be re-considered.
Panel Discussion On “Quality Education and Skill Development” 13 The public school system is the foundation of the country’s education system and ideally only some aspects like training and skill development may be provided by private sectors. The critical aspects of education which need to be looked in for achieving SDG are: Focus on quality of education and equity Ensure free Quality School education Provide highly subsidised higher education Allocate liberal public funding of education to ensure quality, adequacy, equity and efficiency Significantly increase public funding on education Set norms regarding share in central and state budgets Develop inter-sectoral linkages, e.g., between primary, secondary and college education Adopt a comprehensive and holistic approach with integrated planning. Recognise and establish intra- and inter-sectoral linkages, especially with other SDGs Trainings and skill development can be dealt by private sectors
Dr Begur Ramachandra Rao
Education is at the heart of the realisation of SDGs.
– Dr B.R. Rao
Education is at the heart of the realisation of all other SDGs. Five key points must be kept in mind when formulating SDGs:
Ensure inclusive and equitable education for all children: Though a large number of children are enrolled for primary education, we still need to look into the transition, retention and drop-out factor. Along with SDGs, there should be strong legislation to ensure the quality of learning outcomes, e.g., NCERT has developed learning outcomes for classes 1–8 but the State (government) has to be responsible of ensuring they are achieved.
Based on large-scale assessments (for classes3, 5 and 8), robust studies and pedagogy can be developed for children to learn and improve their learning outcomes. Based on evidences, differential plans can be made, which will have different implications and different impacts, customised to each situation. Learning assessments are not used at present, nor are they used for revision of curriculum. Be able to decide –wisely and well: The SCERT should act as the academic authority. Education department officials need to be empowered to take decisions, e.g., to say ‘no’ to certain things which do not have a positive impact on sustainability.
Get the right start: Focus on pre-primary education /ECCD. Research studies have shown that ECE produces strong positive outcomes with children. Children are put on the right track and it has a long-term impact. Continuum to primary education and provision of ECCD should be done in convergence with the ICDS department.
14 Workshop on Bangaru Telangana & Sustainable Development Goals - A Report Focus on last-mile issues, such as out-of-school children, issues of retention, dropouts and transition: Ensure the provision of support mechanisms like special training programmes and accelerated learning programmes, focussing on quality issues.
The various departments involved should actively work together: Often the departments are just nominally represented and do not play a proactive role in improving education. Robust evidence shows that when plans are made and executed holistically in the long term it has a sustainable impact. If the education department and the social departments worked together, they could help achieve many of the SDGs. Further recommendations for the sector include:
Ensure inclusive and equitable education to all the children Use the opportunity provided by the SDGs to finally put into action something already emphasised by legislation about education: the importance of learning outcomes Make differential plans at various state and district levels, based upon evidences; they will have greater impact Use data in planning – it is critical for successful learning outcomes Focus on pre-primary/early childhood education
Panel Discussion On “Quality Education and Skill Development” 15 Dr Renu Singh
Research is the key and it is essential to know what is scalable and cost-effective.
–Dr Renu Singh
The fifteen-year longitudinal research study on childhood poverty entitled Young Lives in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh throws light on the state of education here. Though the education scenario has improved over the years, the key issues faced in education are retention and quality of education.
While the enrolment rates increased over the study years, learning outcomes are still a major concern. The percentage of children enrolling in government schools has decreased comparatively, while those enrolled in private schools has proportionately increased.
Although the public-school teachers (government schools) are better qualified and better paid than private-school teachers, lecturing was still the most common method used for teaching the children. Though the enrolment rates have seen a fair increase in private schools, the teachers are poorly trained.
The rates of those going for collegiate education have gradually decreased, and the dropout rate was higher among girls compared to boys. Several factors affect enrolment for higher education and retention –push factors (problems related to the school or college), pull factors (circumstances, parents worrying about safety) and opt-out factors (when student himself or herself is not interested in studying). For example, in some cases it is not the child who drops out of school by choice but is forced to drop out because of the fear of girls’ safety. In some cases, marriage also plays a key factor in girl students being unable to continue their studies. It follows that we need to educate not only the children but also the parents with constant counselling. When the parents feel that their child is safe they will be willing to continue the child’s education.
Educating the teacher on equity ensures that the child feels he/she is safe and their needs would be addressed; similarly when the family is also educated on the importance of education, they ensure that the child receives what is their right. Hence, the teacher and the family of the child also play a very important role.
16 Workshop on Bangaru Telangana & Sustainable Development Goals - A Report Session Wrap-up
The panel session on ‘Quality Education and Skill Development’ discussed the various issues and opportunities linked to education and skill development. Education is a key SDG goal that will clear the path to several other SDG goals. Hence, active planning on the education sector is required to achieve the SDG goals. Several major challenges that need to be addressed include public financing for education, public education at primary as well as higher education level, improving quality of education (learning assessments and curriculum developments), retention in higher education and job-skill development, integrating ECCD and industrial tie ups for skill development, etc., were highlighted by the panel members. Adopting an integrated structured planning with intra-sectoral and inter- sectoral linkages and coordination among departments will help in achieving the SDGs goals directly linked to education and will contribute towards other goals as well.
Panel Discussion On “Quality Education and Skill Development” 17 Profiles of the Panel Experts
Telangana is one state investing more on children’s education – the greatest investment.
Dr R.V. Vaidyanath Aiyar, Former Secretary, HRD, GOI Dr Aiyar has served the Government of Andhra Pradesh in various posts, besides having been a Professor at IIM Bangalore. He has made immense contributions in the field of public policymaking.
Prof. Jandyala B.G. Tilak, Former Vice Chancellor, NUEPA, New Delhi Prof. Tilak has taught education at universities round the globe – Delhi, Virginia, Tokyo, and elsewhere, as well as researching for the World Bank. He has received several prestigious awards and honours, national and international, and has published extensively.
Mr Ramesh Datla, Chairman, CII, Southern Region Mr Ramesh Datla is the Chairman and Managing Director of ELICO Ltd and the Chairman of Elico Healthcare Services Ltd. He is on the advisory and governing boards of several engineering and technical institutions in the state and is actively associated with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
Dr Begur Ramachandra Rao, Senior Education Specialist, UNICEF, New Delhi Dr Rao supports national and state governments in planning, designing and implementation of various educational interventions. He is member of the teacher education subgroup of the National Curriculum Framework 2005 and has presented several papers at national and international conferences.
Dr Renu Singh, Director, Save the Children Dr Singh has over a quarter-century’s experience in school management, teacher education, policy analysis and research, both in India and abroad. Currently she is working on a fifteen- year longitudinal research study on childhood poverty entitled ‘Young Lives’ in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
18 Workshop on Bangaru Telangana & Sustainable Development Goals - A Report SESSION 2: Welfare Agenda for Bangaru Telangana – The Way Forward
SDG #10. Reduce Inequalities
Chairperson Mr A. Rama Lakshman, IAS (Retd.), Advisor to Government, Telangana State
Co-Chairperson Mr A.K. Khan, IPS (Retd.), Advisor to Government, Telangana State
Panel Members
Dr H.K.Nagu, Member, State ST Commission Mr Mallepally Laxmaiah, Special Officer, Buddhavanam Project Dr Amir Ullah Khan, Professor, MANUU Mr S.R. Praveen Kumar, IPS, Secretary, TSWREI Society
concern core to the SDG agenda is reducing inequality. SDG 10, which deals with A reducing inequality, has 6 specific targets with very wide scope of ‘within and among countries’. The 6 targets deal with reduction of inequalities in income growth, Social political and economic inclusion of population without any discrimination, reduction in discriminating policies and laws, adoption of appropriate fiscal measures, wage and social protection policies, monitoring of international financial markets and reduction of inequalities among countries. In a diverse country like India, inequality have multiple dimensions like differences in income, life time opportunities and chances, gender, rural urban divide, social structural dimension etc. Similarly, reducing inequality is an issue which cuts across various departments.
In addressing the issue of reducing inequality, the state of Telangana has already taken several initiatives targeting specific vulnerable groups through the various welfare departments. Not limiting itself, however, for the current session, it mainly dealt with various welfare schemes for the poorest of poor communities in the state. The deliberation of the session will be contributing directly to SDG goal 10 and indirectly to SDG goals 9, 8, 5, 2 and 1. The session was attended by officials from various welfare departments and others including Labour and employment, housing, industries, women and child welfare and finance.
Welfare Agenda for Bangaru Telangana – The Way Forward 19 Mr A. Rama Lakshman
In the state of Telangana, where about 85 per cent of the people belong to the weaker sections, inequalities need to be abolished. The Telangana government covers all the families of the weaker sections through extending/reaching at least one scheme to them. Various facilities and amenities have been created in hostels for students. The students who were studying in hostels showed better results than the state average. About four lakh children are studying in government institutes. Telangana state has made the greatest investment for children’s education.
Welfare schemes like Aasara were allotted a budget of about Rs.5000 crores, benefiting about 40 lakh people in the state. The initiatives of the government include: Effective implementation of provisions of Acts such as PCR and POA, Manual Scavengers Act, ROR Act Effective implementation of SC/ST Special Development Fund Providing educational and social infrastructure Establishment of more residential schools and degree colleges Financial assistance to students pursuing pre-matric and post-matric education Financial assistance for students to go abroad for higher studies Implementation of land purchase scheme for distribution of agricultural land Implementation of self-employment schemes. Implementation of placement-oriented skill trainings Promotion of inter-caste marriages Financial assistance to the parents at the time of their daughter’s marriage (Kalyana Lakshmi)
The Chairperson emphasised the role of officials as crucial for achieving SDGs and appealed to them to work to achieve them.
Mr A.K. Khan
Telangana is one of the states which have spent the highest on SC/ST and minority communities. Education is very important for the development of the minorities, especially girls/women. The State recognised the fact and is investing.
–Mr A.K. Khan
Minorities are regarded as more backward and weaker than many sections of the community and new schemes are formulated for their uplift. The minorities are not only socially backward but economically and educationally backward, as well. The status of minorities in Telangana is comparatively better. With the launch of various schemes and programmes addressing minority
20 Workshop on Bangaru Telangana & Sustainable Development Goals - A Report welfare, affirmative actions including reservations for minorities, setting up of educational institutes exclusively for minorities and building infrastructure amenities; the state had taken significant steps to reduce inequality faced by the minorities.
Education is one of the sectors which the state has recognised as crucial and hence did significant investments. For instance, about 100 schools for boys and 101 schools for girls were started. Minorities are not socially backward compared to SC/ST/BCs but women from minority communities are lagging behind in all aspects.
To promote economic activities, the Minority Finance Corporation started providing financial support. Thus, people could escape from the clutches of money lenders, since most people had problems accessing credit/ loan facility. Telangana is the only state in the country where one-third of its funds were being utilised for the welfare of minority (marginalised) communities. The T-Pride scheme that supports minority enterprises is working well in spite of some gaps. The impact would increase if various private organisations that are funding the community directly could help by funding through the government. Create a demand and make them (minorities) aware about the schemes and then meet the demands through the schemes.
Dr H.K. Nagu
A propos the inequalities existing at grassroots level, discrimination not only existed from the higher communities to lower communities but also among and within the tribal communities. Inequalities need to be eliminated at grassroots level, i.e., among the castes and sub-castes–only then can social justice be attained. Everyone should think about the whole scenario by posing one question: ‘Could we get justice for minority and backward communities if there were no categorisation? If this can be achieved then we have began to reach our goals.’
The tribes suffer due to lack of education and information, making them more vulnerable. He said that in many cases the community suffers from the money lenders and other land dealers, and stressed upon the responsibilities of the officials to verify meticulously with reference to the ‘binami properties’. He concluded that though there was still a lot to achieve, there are many who have benefited from the various schemes from the state government.
Welfare Agenda for Bangaru Telangana – The Way Forward 21 Dr Amir Ullah Khan
The Telangana Government has done extremely well in generating tax revenue; GDP ratio is high, with highest capital expenditure in the country, but lagging behind on education and health, which needs attention.
– Dr Amir Ullah Khan
To achieve SDGs, it is important that numbers or data are looked in detail. In the Indian context, what the welfare agenda looks like,the setting of SDGs targets and the concept of vulnerability are highly dependent on the angle from which we are looking at the data. Data can be misguiding, if not viewed from multiple angles. Foreg. the findings from various studies are illuminating, which eventually can be related to state of Telangana, can be given three different contexts – (i) poorest villages in richest states versus poorest villages in poorest state, (ii) villages with more SC population versus villages with less SC population, and (iii) villages which are close to urban cities versus villages which are far from urban cities. The findings are as follows.
Places where backward communities were predominant did far better in all aspects, compared to places where the backward community were in lower numbers. Hence, there is a concentration of inequality where there is a mixed demography because a community helps the people within itself.
Extreme poverty was found more where villages were close to the city. This implies that in most cases, when the development was focused on a specific location the nearby location lost its importance or suffered neglect.
Usually the biggest discriminations which the minority and the backward communities faced were discrimination in law and order and in employment. However, in Telangana it was different, and sectors like education and availing credit facility were cited as major concerns. For the minorities, access to credit is difficult and most officials do not give loans to these communities, which makes them rely on the moneylenders, who exploit them with very high rates of interests.
Also, all these studies lead us to issues like empirical data on positive implications about reservations –anecdotal evidence and lack of robust empirical evidence. Reservations are not solutions for all the problems. In the education sector, lack of Urdu-medium schools was found to be major reason for dropout and the demand by the community for more Urdu-medium schools. The education sector must deal with gender inequalities, which are common across all sections of the society.
22 Workshop on Bangaru Telangana & Sustainable Development Goals - A Report Mr Mallepally Laxmaiah
The social security schemes provided by the government have resulted in 60 per cent reduction in hunger deaths in the state. However, it is a major concern that a person who suffers an illness in the city survives but a person suffering it in the village does not. The reason for this is the lack of basic necessities, which the person in the village does not receive. Except for three or four goals among the SDGs, all other goals were either directly or indirectly related to the SCs/STs. The Telangana government has designed schemes for the Dalits, e.g., the government has provided land for them – asset building– which builds confidence among the weaker sections. Welfare schemes like land distribution for SCs and STs, special development fund, and other social security schemes help in reducing social and economic inequalities.
Mr R.S. Praveen Kumar
Social welfare residential schools, which were in a dying condition, but turned into centres of excellence is a heartening success story. Telangana is the only state which has 30 residential degree colleges exclusively for girls from Scheduled Castes and Tribes. In the residential schools run by the state, 75 per cent of admissions are reserved for the community and the remaining 25 per cent for non-SC/ST/BC community by design and further, they are girl-centric. The students do not have to pay for anything, i.e., fees, books, healthcare, food, travel. In an academic year, children are in school hostels for about 220 days and the remaining days at their homes. Summer camps are organised for the children, which include all kinds of activities/courses such as English speaking, horse-riding, film-making, and sports like cricket. There is 100 percent health coverage for students; even if the student is at home, the health of the child is monitored.
Students from the schools are being given attention consistently by giving extraordinary performance and have made it to reputed institutions like the IITs, Delhi University, Lady Sri Ram College, TISS, Vishwabharati University and Azim Premji University. Also, the world’s youngest girl to climb Mount Everest, Miss Malavath Poorna, belonged to one of these residential schools. Owing to the achievements, TSWREIS received more than 1.5 lakh applications for 20,000 seats last year and there are now 40,600 seats available from classes 5 to 12.
The participants and panel experts applauded the efforts and initiatives taken up by the department and for their achievements.
After deliberations by the panel experts followed by a discussion, a few of the participants raised the following questions.
Welfare Agenda for Bangaru Telangana – The Way Forward 23 Questions and Answers Why is Telangana still backward in education though the government is spending so much on education? A. Poor quality of institutions, low retention of students and less focus on numbers are the main causes for this. Return on investments in higher education seems little or almost negative and hence the number of dropouts at higher education level seems to be higher. Even small issues like the orthodox and conservative nature of the people towards the girl-child matter. However, we are heading in the right direction with the various initiatives that have been taken up. Denial of access to credit to all the marginalised sectors– what needs to be done? A. Presently, the incentives for the branch managers of various financial institutions to offer loans to the marginalised people are little or negligible. Either the incentives should be provided to the managers to give more loans to the community or else the state government needs to come up with schemes to provide loans to the marginalised communities Why do we have poor villages near rich cities and in rich states? A. We often look at the state as a whole and it is seen that the rich cities have higher numbers and the poor villages have lesser numbers but when the average is calculated the numbers come around 60 per cent, hence not allowing us to focus or identify the place that is lagging behind
Session Wrap-up
An enormous agenda in itself, ‘Welfare’ is key to bring in development to those who are vulnerable and underprivileged. The session elaborated on the various social welfare and social protection schemes by the state government. The commitment of the state government for the vulnerable, the underprivileged and the minorities, who comprise around 85 per cent of the state population, is explicit. Telangana is the only state to take exclusive initiatives for minorities. The state spends the highest amount on various social protection schemes.
The session also discussed a few of the gaps which the state needs to address. These include equity issues within the caste and sub-caste system, disparities between rural and urban areas, gender inequalities within vulnerable and minority communities, the need for government officials to play proactive roles, the need for improved coordination among departments and the issue of misrepresentation of data due to ‘average effect’, which may restrict/prevent some of the needy from accessing the social protection schemes of Government.
Closing Remarks
Mr B.P. Acharya, concluding the sessions, thanked all the experts for their participation and valuable inputs towards achieving Bangaru Telangana. He emphasised the SDGs as a framework to develop the action plans and strategies for achieving the development goals. With reference to the KG to PG scheme, he said that the experts of MCRHRDIT are developing e-learning modules for training the teachers in soft skills. Reaching to the larger masses is a big challenge that needs to be addressed and innovations like AWCs as play schools are good models that can be replicated. Re-dedicating to work towards achieving the SDGs and Bangaru Telangana, the workshop was closed for the day.
24 Workshop on Bangaru Telangana & Sustainable Development Goals - A Report Profiles of the Panel Experts
Mr A. Rama Lakshman Mr Rama Lakshman, a native of Nalgonda District, joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1976 and has held a number of important positions. Presently, he is a Polit bureau member of the TRS Party and Advisor to the Government of Telangana on Welfare.
Prof. Amir Ullah Khan Prof. Khan is a development economist and Special Policy Advisor to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. He is also a member of the G. Sudhir Commission, Government of Telangana. He teaches at the Maulana Azad National Urdu University and the Indian School of Business.
Mr Mallepally Laxmaiah Mr Laxmaiah is a senior journalist, political thinker and social activist with over two decades of experience. He is also the founder-member of the Centre for Dalit Studies (CDS), a non-political, non-profit organisation. The CDS works on issues relating to youth policies, land distribution and development, budget allocation for Dalit development and Special Component Plan implementation.
Dr H.K. Nagu Dr Nagu is a Doctor in Law and post graduate in Human Rights from the National Institute of Human Rights. He retired from government service as Additional Commissioner of Labour. Currently he is a Member of the Inquiry Commission for the Scheduled Tribes, Telangana State.
Mr A.K. Khan AK Khan IPS (Retd.) is presently advisor to the state of Telangana on Minority welfare. He served government of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh in several cadres and he retired as Director General ,ACB for the state of Telangana.
Dr R.S. Praveen Kumar R.S. Praveen Kumar is an IPS officer and secretary of the Telangana Residential Educational Society, which runs residential schools for Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe and underprivileged children.
Welfare Agenda for Bangaru Telangana – The Way Forward 25
Day 2 SESSION 3: Urban Development– Smart Cities and Urban-Centric Sanitation
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Moderator Dr Kalpana Kannabiran, Director, Centre for Social Development, Hyderabad
Panel Experts Dr T.K. Sridevi, IAS, Director, Municipal Administration Mr Maheep Singh Thapar, M.D., Adapt Technologies Prof. Ranabir Samaddar, Director, Calcutta Research Group
ith the aim of developing sustainable Our Vision Wcities and communities, SDG 11, looks specifically to sustainable housing, slum development, public transport, To transform all cities in green public spaces, improving urban Telangana into liveable, planning and management and good sustainable, inclusive, citizen governance. With 38 per cent (Census friendly, environmentally 2011) of state population living in urban acceptable, e- urban space, meeting the growing challenges governance. of urbanization is a priority area for Telangana state. A beneficiary of the new urban schemes - Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), Housing for All (Urban) scheme and the Smart Cities Mission – the state looks forward to revitalise the urban landscape by making it more live able, resilient and sustainable. With participants from the department of Municipal administration and urban development, panchayat raj & rural development, Industries, IT and Public Enterprises, EFS&T and ST welfare, home, housing, finance, roads, building and transport the session was alive with discussion from diverse angle.
Dr T.K. Sridevi
The vision of the state of Telangana as a force, is to transform all the cites, to provide all amenities, making them citizen-friendly, eco-friendly and a safer place to live in. Making cities safe and sustainable means ensuring access to safe and affordable housing, upgrading slum settlements, investing in public transport, creating green public spaces, and improving urban planning and management in a way that is both participatory and inclusive.
Urban Development– Smart Cities and Urban-Centric Sanitation 27 The growth of urban population in the It’s not about ideas; it is about state of Telangana is expected to increase making ideas happen from 38.7 percent (2011) to 54.5 per cent by 2050, and several initiatives have been SDGs – transforming the taken up by the State Government to deal world – transforming with this. Mission Bhagiratha (supply of Telangana safe drinking water) and Swachh Bharat Mission (in all 73 Urban Local Bodies); 12 cities under AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation); Warangal and Hyderabad as SMART cities; HRIDAY (Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana) in Warangal; Shelter for Urban Homeless (SUH), Housing for All (2 BHK), Skill Development Mission, Urban Greenery and Energy Efficient Street Lighting in all 73 cities are among them. Performance of several other SDGs, such as Goals 1,6,7,8 and 16 will influence how the urban develops.
The priority areas of the state for urban development are basic infrastructure –water supply, 100 per cent sewerage access, storm-water drains, ODF, solid-waste management, the reuse and recycling of waste water generated in cities, urban transport infrastructure (PTS, NMT, High speed rail connectivity, outer ring roads), and urban housing (2 BHK houses). Other priorities are energy conservation in urban development like setting up of solar panels on government buildings in a phased manner, increase in urban green cover and open spaces, development of green meridians and parks, and effective implementation of poverty-eradication programmes.
The department follows the motto of self reliance and smart mobilisation of resources; the citizens will partner with the municipal administration for mobilising resources.
Dr Kalpana Kannabiran
Develop an approach of urban planning by centring diversity and social justice and concept of living as culture.
–Dr Kalpana Kannabiran
The concerns of smart cities must be addressed in their conceptualisation: formulating their structure in such a way that it can accommodate diversity and pluralism in every respect, not just in populations, ensuring quality, nature and form of habitations within the cities. Also, we must keep in mind culture, as homes and neighbourhoods are repositories of culture. They are a fundamental homogeneous model for urban living for a country (representing ideal harmonious diversity).
28 Workshop on Bangaru Telangana & Sustainable Development Goals - A Report Prof. Ranabir Samaddar
Along with technology, human resources and their skills contribute towards urbanisation and smart cities. Migration is an inbuilt factor; without migration there is no urbanisation.
Human resources such as migrant workers with various skills play an important factor in contributing to a smart city. If citizens are responsible for the cities then cities would be responsible for migrants. We need to look at the concerns of migrants when planning cities. To involve citizens in decisions is important for building smart cities. The residents in cities are two kinds –citizens, who are voters, and inhabitants without the vote, i.e., migrants. The latter have no decision-making power. But most of the city’s tasks are done by them. These non- citizens, who do not have voting right, constitute a visible percentage of population. They are people such as those displaced because of natural disasters. They are also, displaced from developmental activities in the context of urbanisation.
The migration process has played an important role in the emergence of peri-urban areas. Smart cities are, in fact, located in semi- or peri-urban areas. Cities specialised for certain things are not a recent phenomenon –for example, port cities, cantonment cities, railway colonies. There is also some ruralisation of cities and bi-directional rural–urban migration. We must bypass model where sustainability is ephemeral. Cities are organic in nature.
Impact assessment is an absolute necessity, and we must study and utilise the enormous fund of case literature and reports of impact assessments previously done for setting up of smart cities. If we can do this, smart cities can be called logistical cities. Classic cities produce republican equality and citizenship culture.
Digital transactions are needed; a smart city cannot be called smart if there are no digitally enabled. Similarly, social infrastructures, connectivity, transportation corridors, – logistically planned cities are required. We need to develop zones and connect zones to corridors.
Setting up smart cities involves huge amounts of investment, for which resource mobilisation or extraction of resources is important. Resource is not just land; it involves human investment in all sectors. For instance, waste disposal /waste recycling –reprocessing of all waste –human to digital. We need labourers and they are all migrants. Cities need to address the issues of migrants.
Mr M.S. Thapar
We need to converge ideas in order to achieve the SDGs. All the goals are interrelated and they depend on four main points– inclusiveness, safety, resilience and sustainability. We also need to integrate disaster and risk management at all levels.
We live in cities because of economic needs and many people who live in cities are not happy living in cities. The reason for this is mainly the gaps in infrastructure. The real big impact of urbanisation will be migration,
Urban Development– Smart Cities and Urban-Centric Sanitation 29 demographic issues, public-space population, solid waste and sewage management, inadequate water and power. Managing cities will become difficult if urban planning with flexible planning methods are not adopted.
Points to keep in view while planning for building smart cities: Have consultations with various stakeholders, or multi-stakeholder engagement– government, private entities, civil society. Have the Four Ps approach, i.e., PPPP framework – Public, Private and People Partnership. Make smart cities environment-friendly, with open spaces, public spaces and outdoor recreational spaces. Focus on waste management – sanitation needs to be looked at in a larger way – with measures for reduction in waste, recycling of waste, low-carbon-emission cities.
The state of Telangana is in alignment with the SDG goals but new challenges will emerge, which need to be addressed.
Questions and Answers After the deliberations and discussions, some participants posed a few questions as given below. How can we build smart villages so as to reduce the number of migrants? — Mr Surya, CEO, Think Tank. A. There are different ways of looking at things; once you set up an industry it will always require labourers for work, which the citizens would not be able to do, hence the pull factor. It should be done in a way where certain kind of jobs require the certain skills in labour and hence the migrants.
Session Wrap-up
Acknowledging the rapid urbanisation expected in the state of Telangana, the department is already gearing up to align the existing centrally sponsored schemes and other initiatives to SDG 11. The current urban programmes in the state, based on centrally sponsored schemes and resource generation for urban initiatives, were explained in detail. The session also discussed in detail the issue of ‘retaining culture in diversity’, social justice and living space for all in urban areas, migration and rights of migrants. Flexibility in urban planning methods was identified as a critical factor for managing cities. Multi-stakeholder engagement that involves private and civil society, public space management, waste recycling and management are priority issues requiring attention in the state.
30 Workshop on Bangaru Telangana & Sustainable Development Goals - A Report Profiles of the Panel Experts
Prof. Ranabir Samaddar Prof. Ranabir Samaddar is currently Director of the Calcutta Research Group and belongs to the school of critical thinking. He has pioneered, along with others, peace studies programmes in South Asia. He has worked extensively on issues of justice and rights in the context of conflicts in South Asia. The much-acclaimed The "Politics of Dialogue" (Ashgate, 2004) was the culmination of his work on justice, rights, and peace.
Dr Kalpana Kannabiran Dr Kalpana Kannabiran current Director of Council for Social Development, Hyderabad, also a co-founder of the ASMITA Resource Centre for Women, a women's rights group. Trained as a sociologist (PhD-Sociology) and as a lawyer (LLM-Jurisprudence) she has combined research, teaching (law and sociology), activism, pro bono socio- legal counselling and rights advocacy in her work. In the past two and a half decades, Kalpana Kannabiran has researched and written in the areas of sociology of law, social movements, gender studies, disability studies and jurisprudence – especially focusing on non-discrimination and criminal law.
Mr Maheep Singh Thapar Mr Maheep Singh Thapar graduated in planning from the prestigious School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), New Delhi, and went on to complete his post graduation in Urban and Regional Planning from the well-known School of Planning, CEPT, Ahmedabad, where he was also awarded a Gold Medal for the ‘Distinguished Student’ award.
He is a qualified Urban and Regional Planner and is also currently one of the main Office Bearers of the Institute of Town Planners, India, ITPI, Andhra Pradesh State Regional Chapter.
Ms Sreedevi Ms Sreedevi currently working as Director, Municipal Administration, worked as Collector & DM, Mahabubnagar before this assignment. Former Scientist at International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) Hyderabad.
Urban Development– Smart Cities and Urban-Centric Sanitation 31
SESSION 4: Innovation and Industry
SDGs #8, Decent Work and Economic Growth; SDG # 9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Panel Members Dr Rene Van Berkel, Representative of UNIDO Dr Sher Singh Verick, Deputy Director, ILO Mr Ajit Rangnekar, CEO, Research & Innovation Circle of Hyderabad (RICH) Mr Ramesh Datla, Chairman, CII, Southern Region Mr Devi Prasad Juvvadi, Director, CGG Prof. Gautam Pingle, Head, Centre for Telangana Studies, MCRHRDIT
DG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and 9 (Industry, Innovation and SInfrastructure) are interlinked in their own way. These SDGs are very immense and dynamic, with multiple targets related to economic growth, industry and infrastructure, such as sustaining 7 per cent GDP, achieving higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, promoting creativity and innovation, improving global resource efficiency, youth employment, eradication of child labour, status of migrant labour, sustainable tourism, strengthening the capacity of domestic financial institutions, increasing trade support, enhancing research and innovation, upgrading infrastructure, and increasing access to Information, communication and technology (ICT). An integrated effort is required to work on these goals, from several departments like Municipal Administration and Urban Development, Panchayati Raj and Rural Development, Agriculture and allied sectors, Irrigation and CAD, as well as those in charge of industries, IT and public enterprises, labour, employment, training and factories and housing.
Innovation and Industry 33 Dr Rene Van Berkel
We need to do better with less.
–Dr Rene Van Berkel
UNIDO is a specialised agency of the United Nations that supports inclusive and sustainable industrial development in its developing-country member states, advancing economic competitiveness and creating shared prosperity, while safeguarding the environment.
The SDGs are good for business at a global level and even the best- performing countries have problems; a small setback should not be a cause of major concern. Goal 9to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation was interconnected to other goals viz., Goal 7–toensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all, Goal 12–to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns, Goal 8 – to promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and full productive employment and decent work for all and Goal 17–tostrengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development. Hence, it is vital, that we should strive hard to achieve Goal 9. Achieving the Global Goals will create at least US$12 trillion worth opportunities by 2030, just in four major economic systems. Goal 9 is vital for global economy.
Productivity, quality and trade–the 5S Equivalence approach
The 5S Equivalence is a strategy to achieve productivity and quality trade: Sort: Distinguishing or sorting out between ‘wanted’ and ‘unwanted’ items at the place of work and removing the unwanted Set in order: Arranging wanted items in such a manner that they are easy to use, using labels, etc. Everything that is necessary is in its designated space. Shine: Removing dirt, stain, filth, soot and dust from work area. This enables care for equipment and facilities as abnormalities can be registered and addressed, including through preventive maintenance. Standardise: Developing work structure that supports new practices and turning them into habits, with the purpose that everyone follows the same procedure, the same names of items, the same marking, colour coding, etc. Everyone will do the right thing the right way every time Sustain: Make orderliness a discipline, by recognising performance and achievements and overcoming resistance to change.
It was seen that labour productivity leads to material productivity, which in turn leads to resource productivity.
For eco-industrial parks, optimal utilisation of water and energy, reuse between companies in industrial parks, and using secondary resources (from industries, city, region, etc.) should be done. The SDGs matter for businesses and industries and the future; and the SDGs are actionable if businesses and industries.
34 Workshop on Bangaru Telangana & Sustainable Development Goals - A Report Act responsibly in core business Develop and drive excellence Shift from labour productivity to resource productivity Are open to stakeholders’ perspectives Innovate
Government should facilitate business response through integrated cross-sectoral policies and strategies.
For achieving industry-related goals and targets, the following measures are needed: Bring in resource efficiency, cleaner production and cost-effective measures to cause less wastage Make inter-linkages between environment issues, consumer issues, human rights, operating practices, labour practices Ensure the application of better solutions that meet new requirements, unarticulated needs or existing market needs, through more effective products, processes, services, technologies or business models Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Realise the true meaning of Corporate Social Responsibility – it involves acting responsibly by aiming to minimise negative impacts and maximising positive impacts of business decisions and activities on society and environment Optimise water and energy use and reuse between companies in industrial parks Government should facilitate business response through integrated cross-sectoral policies and strategies.
If you are happy with what you had in the past, then the SDGs will be a constraint; but if you are willing to change, then this is a good opportunity.
Dr Sher Singh Verick
India is one of the founding members of the ILO and a critical part of ILO since 1922. The ILO works towards the goal of social justice for all. To achieve the targets related to this goal we need to look at the SDG goals 8 and 9 and the connection between them. These are the aspects on which the state would need to concentrate:
1. Labour market challenges: The real issues are job quality; the process of structural transformation because of urbanisation and the shift from farming to non-farming activities; construction has become a major source of employment rather than manufacturing and service sectors; the challenge of informality where the vast majority (83 per cent) of work is in the unorganised sector which is linked to low productivity; lower level of female participation; and the education system (imparting the right capabilities suitable for industry). These are major challenges. 2. Importance of productivity: The manufacturing industry has not played a prominent role in the transformation of labourers and hence there is a shortage of skilled, educated labourers, as well as very few quality jobs and little potential to grow for those who are skilled.
Innovation and Industry 35 3. Importance of Production: In the Indian context, the SMEs and MSMEs play a very important role and, as per the ILO perspective, poor working conditions lead to poor productivity and this is linked to the overall potential of the firm. 4. Technology for future work: The biggest challenge which the country as a whole faces is on the technology front. The labourers need to be trained in accordance with technology to help them gear up with present-day life. Industry is lagging behind in technology adoption. 5. The role of ILO and SDGs: Focus on developing integrated job strategy.
Key recommendations for addressing the challenges of SDG include Improve productivity, which, in turn, can create new jobs Focus on skill development; develop link to industry Fusion of technology into the small and unorganised SMEs and also to smaller towns Apart from workers’ skills, focus on supervisors’ skills as well Focus on management practices –improving working conditions helps increase productivity Gender dimension –increase female participation
Mr Ajit Rangnekar
Innovation is not a part of only one or two goals, every goal in the SDG would require innovation in one form or the other.
–Mr Ajit Rangnekar
Innovation is not part of just one or two goals; every goal in the SDGs will require innovation in one form or the other. Social innovation is extremely important – doing more for less for more – that is, doing more of anything at significantly lower cost so that many benefit. The combination of research, industry and academics need to be put together in-order to bring innovation. For example, the innovation technology by DRDO, where they created bacteria that eats human waste. The country needs to come up with more such innovative technologies, including solutions for waste disposal and other pollution.
Telangana has the best industrial policy in the country. It has 14 focus areas; for example, the state is creating pharmacy city, and all the raw material like land, labour are available. The Centre for Innovation supports in providing skilled labour and a market for the products. Innovation can make things available on a large scale in the state. The Centre for Research and Innovation focuses on three issues – health care, food and agriculture.
Micro-factories are needed, which would reduce the time and cost in transportation, help the poor and create large-scale employment. It is necessary to focus upon non-financial goals, which the current education system has failed to identify. The recommendations include:
36 Workshop on Bangaru Telangana & Sustainable Development Goals - A Report Link research, academics institutes to industry Make district-level analysis and set specific targets to achieve goals Measure and evaluate non financial goals Use incentives to make industry act as partners.
Mr Ramesh Datla
With the rate at which technology is changing, innovation plays a very important role.
–Mr Ramesh Datla
The life expectancy of organisations is decreasing. Organisations which used to live for around 90 years in 1935 have now decreased to 15 years in 2005. With the rate at which technology is changing, innovation plays a very important role. Innovation is seen to be the highest in small- and medium-scale industry. Amul India and the Dabbawalas of Mumbai are examples where efficient supply chain management takes place at an evidently low cost. Integration of research; industry and academics plays a critical role in development. India can, hopefully, soon become the Germany of the East.
Mr Devi Prasad
With regard to Goal 12, responsible consumption and production, Mr Prasad said that India has very few food-processing units and lags behind China. For example, India contributed 11 percent of the world’s production of tomato compared to China’s 28 per cent. In the year 2012-13, the production of fruits and vegetables crossed that of food grains. Given figures of the production of food crops in global terms, our value addition to raw foods and exports are not much. Using existing technology and bridging gap in yields by addressing governance issues can yield better results and supply required raw material for industry.
This is the food wastage that happens from the production to consumption stage: One-third of food produced is lost or wasted each year Food loss and waste costs the global economy $940 million each year Food loss and waste accounts for 8 per cent of annual global greenhouse emissions 32 per cent of global food supply by weight is lost 24 per cent of global food supply by energy content (calories) is lost Food loss and waste occurs more ‘near the fork’ in developed regions and more ‘near the farm’ in developing regions.
There will be success in bridging yield gaps and reducing food loss and waste for food security in Bangaru Telangana, only if people act. Governments and companies should accelerate and scale up adoption of policies, incentives, investment and practices that reduce food loss and waste. The recommendations include:
Innovation and Industry 37 Raise awareness for a better appreciation of food and introduce the issue of food loss and waste into educational activities Increase cooperation between different stakeholders, especially retailers and industry; Introduce legislative measures, like subsidies or liabilities Strengthen local food systems.
Prof. Gautam Pingle
Mr Pingle concluded the session by highlighting the need for innovation, which can happen only when the application of mind takes place, and this turn is possible when we train the mind to do so. Creating a world-class institute to create trained minds should become an important factor.
Question and Answers What is the position of handlooms and textiles in terms of labour? – Official from Department of Handlooms and Textiles A. The handloom and textile industry plays a unique role and we need to look at product innovation and how the families can utilise them. New technology is also needed in the textile industry.–Dr Van Berkel Why is the labour-oriented industry not comparative? A1. We need to remember that a product does not sell because of cheap labour; it sells because of the quality. –Dr Van Berkel A2. Productivity is an important aspect, irrespective of the industry, i.e., if it is the labour industry or not. For example, the ICICI Knowledge Park (IKP), spread over 200 acres in Turakapally, is an initiative of ICICI Bank with five ‘innovation corridors’– a first-of-its-kind knowledge-nurturing centre for Indian companies and a knowledge gateway for multinational companies.– Mr Datla
38 Workshop on Bangaru Telangana & Sustainable Development Goals - A Report Session Wrap-up
A multi-pronged goal which requires integrated action from multiple sectors where government have several proactive roles to play, SDG goal 8 and 9 are critical for achieving many goals. The session discussed diverse subjects and on the role of Government to facilitate business response through integrated cross-sectoral policies and strategies. Key to the SDG goals is promoting inclusive and sustainable industrial development, advancing economic competitiveness and creating shared prosperity while safeguarding the environment. In the industrial sector, the state of Telangana can look for enhancing productivity– labour and resource productivity, quality of trade, skill development of youth by creating linkages with industry, infusion of technology in SMEs, especially in smaller towns, focus on management practices and increasing female work participation.
For innovations, better linkages with research, academia and industry need to be developed in the state. The session also highlighted the gross wastage in food, especially due to lack of adequate food-processing mechanisms and identified this as an area which Government needs to act upon. Efforts from Government to make the industry realise the true meaning of ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’ as being responsible – economically, socially and environmentally – in all their actions is a first step and will be very close to the core values of SDGs.
Innovation and Industry 39 Profiles of the Panel Experts
Dr René Van Berkel Dr Van Berkel is head of the Regional Office of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) in India. Dr Van Berkel has over 28 years’ professional experience in the areas of environment, industrial productivity and responsible business conduct, particularly in emerging economies in Asia and elsewhere. Dr Van Berkel holds a PhD in Environmental Science from the University of Amsterdam.
Dr Sher Singh Verick Dr Verick is Deputy Director of the ILO Decent Work Team for South Asia and Country Office for India. Prior to this he has worked a long time with the ILO extensively. He holds a master’s degree in development economics from the Australian National University and a PhD in economics from the University of Bonn.
Mr Ajit Rangnekar Mr Rangnekar retired as the Dean of the Indian School of Business (ISB). He strengthened ISB’s expertise on emerging markets issues to ensure the transformational development of the school’s students and alumni. He has recently been appointed by the Telangana Government to head the Research and Innovation Circle of Hyderabad. Mr Rangnekar is an alumnus of IIT Bombay and IIM, Ahmedabad.
Sri Devi Prasad Juvvadi Devi Prasad Juvvadi is Director (Agriculture Management) at Centre for Good Governance (CGG), Hyderabad, India. Earlier he was Team Leader and M&E specialist to A.P. Community Based Tank Management project in minor irrigation of Andhra Pradesh funded by World Bank. He was Consultant to many agriculture projects in several countries in the Middle East and Europe and conducted various studies in agricultural and rural development to UN, Netherlands and Swiss, funded projects. His areas of interest include Agricultural Governance, Risk Management in Agriculture, ICT use in agriculture, Capacity building and Change management in agriculture.
Prof. Gautam Pingle Prof. Gautam Pingle is the Dean of Research at ASCI, Hyderabad. Prof. Pingle serves as Director of Public Policy and Governance at ASCI, Hyderabad. He serves as Member of National Advisory Board at MEdRC EduTech Limited. He served as a Director at Central Warehousing Corporation since June 30, 2011
40 Workshop on Bangaru Telangana & Sustainable Development Goals - A Report SESSION 5: Health and Nutrition in Telangana – Challenges and Opportunities
Goal #3, 5: Goal 3. Good Health and Well-being; Goal 5. Gender equity
Panel Members
Dr Gautam Pingle, Head, Centre for Telangana Studies, Dr MCRHRD-IT Ms Sujatha Rao, IAS (Retd.), Former Secretary, Health & Family Welfare, GoI Dr Meena Som, Health Specialist, UNICEF Dr A. Laxmaiah, Sr. Scientist, National Institute of Nutrition Mr Rajeshwar Tiwari, Spl. Chief Secretary, Health & Family Welfare, Government of Telangana
t is difficult to set apart achieving SDG 3, 5, 6, 1 and 2, as all are interlinked. With 13 targets, Ithe SDG 3 looks to ‘ensuring healthy lives and promoting good health for all at all ages’. With 13 targets, spread across different health aspects from global health risk reduction to reduction in TB, road accidents, etc., the goal demands multi-layered intervention and integrated efforts from various departments. Though the state is taking several proactive initiatives in the health sector, the challenges and opportunities for the sector are equally colossal. Apart from the Department of Health and Family Welfare, the Departments of Women and Child Welfare, Municipal Administration and Urban Development, Panchayati Raj and Rural Development, Welfare, Civil Supplies and Finance will play a critical role in achieving this SDG goal
Dr A. Laxmaiah
The dilemma we face now is the triple burden of disease, which is undernourishment, hidden hunger and obesity. A study conducted by NIN on nutrition and health status of Telangana with respect to nutrition-related practices in Telangana has found that despite the fact that consumption of various nutrients is below the average consumption rates(under-nutrition), the rate of prevalence of obesity (over nutrition ) is alarming, as 50 percent of population are above the ideal body weight.
The so-called lifestyle ailments like obesity, diabetes and hypertension exist not only among the urban population, but as many as a ratio of 1:25 people among the tribals suffer from hyper tension Hyderabad has become the ‘Diabetes Capital of India’ and there is a strong call for lifestyle modification.
Health and Nutrition in Telangana – Challenges and Opportunities 41 The lack of access to health facilities on the one hand and too much intervention in places where it was not needed on the other, are challenges faced in the state, which need to be addressed. To address nutritional related diseases and for better nutritional status, the following needs to be done.
Address the bottle necks/lacunae in the current nutrition support programme Make a comprehensive strategy to improve the socioeconomic status of people since socioeconomic factors play a significant role in the nutritional status Increase enrolment in women’s SHGs, and their participation in intervention and developmental programmes. Use social marketing and qualitative techniques for formative research involving progressive members of SHG as agents of change. Use nutrition surveillance system developed by NIN, with suitable modification in different regions .This would identify risk group and suggest mid-course corrections Strengthen the existing nutrient supplementation programmes, in terms of coverage and monitoring Increase micronutrient fortification of foods Strengthen Health & Nutrition education Strengthen environmental sanitation and personal hygiene, including safe drinking water Encourage dietary diversification, promotion of home gardening Look into bio-fortification, genetically modified foods Improve literacy Develop programmes for economic development, especially at grassroot level Practise population control Bring in district-specific interventions to address under nutrition and non- communicable diseases.
Health Indicators –Telangana MMR – 93/ 100,000 live births NMR – 23 / 1000 live births U5MR – 34 / 1000 live births
Source: SRS 2015
Dr Meena Som
The various data on MMR and NMR show that there was a need to focus on NMR in rural areas during the first week of birth. The question to be asked is, ‘Are we providing a standard protocol?’We need to develop the skills and practices of personnel since the cases differ from person to person and need to be dealt with accordingly. Regarding the nutritional scenario in the state, we need to concentrate on investing more on adolescent children and youngsters.
42 Workshop on Bangaru Telangana & Sustainable Development Goals - A Report It has been noted that there is arise in institutional deliveries in Telangana, as a macro outcome of a variety of factors like standardisation of labour rooms, focus on skilled human resource, government schemes like cash incentives and the KCR kit2, and the emphasis on quality of human care. But Telangana ranks highest among reported C-sections, which is alarming. The question to be looked at is– are we imposing procedures where they are not needed and are we pushing a family into poverty because of unnecessary child-bearing expenses. The key recommendations for the state to contribute towards SDG include:
Focus on quality of services at health care centres Reduce cost of child-bearing services Focus on reducing the rate of C-Sections in state
Ms Sujatha Rao
Focusing on the need to improve quality is paramount, as quality and quantity go hand in hand.
–Ms Sujatha Rao
With regard to the SDGs and health, the health sector is so vast and difficult to focus, ranging from medical education to medical tourism, we need to expand for quantity and quality of medical facilities. Focusing on the need to improve quality is paramount, as quality and quantity go hand in hand. This is the present status of the state regarding health targets:
The state has failed to make the epidemiological transition – dual burden for disease – l It has yet to achieve goals under MMR, IMR and CBR l There are huge burdens of infectious diseases l There is a growing burden of non-communicable diseases such as mental health and injuries There is shortage of human resources and infrastructure, combined with rapid commercialisation The health system is fragmented Health care still comes at a high cost There is no data – we work on aggregates
The findings of a study related to primary health care systems in Telangana throw light on issues like the need for improved access to health facilities and the need to ensure quality and efficiency.
2 KCR kit – In this scheme, the mother and kid care items will be provided to newborn babies and their mothers. And beneficiaries will get the benefit's until baby turns to three months, and a financial aid of 12000/- will be given to pregnant women.
Health and Nutrition in Telangana – Challenges and Opportunities 43 Challenges faced by the public health care system 1. A fragmented health delivery system: No system of referrals; Poor primary care 2. Poor Accountability: No involvement of the community; weak focus on prevention and promotion (anti-tobacco, anti-alcohol, etc.) 3. Not regulated for price or quality: 80 per cent OP and 60 per cent IP in private sector 4. Wide Disparities in access (rural–urban): Shortages in human resources and skills; high out-of-pocket payments
Lack of adequate funds and insufficient data become a major constraint for the health sector. In Telangana 20-30 PHCs are located in places where the community cannot reach and hence the people opt for private hospitals which are nearby and end up paying almost three times more. Telangana ranks highest in C-section and out-of-pocket expenses are huge. In UK, the general practitioner, though, a private doctor is paid by the government. This keeps a cap on the charges and fees collected and also make better health care available to the citizen. We need to understand why there is a high variation in the price for the same treatment given at a government hospital and at a private hospital. Commercialisation of disease is to be intervened and stopped in order to give proper health care to all. The scenario differed in the past, when people relied on family doctors and were healthy but now commercialisation has led to people being more unhealthy and sick.
Lack of focus and accountability, no measure for process outcome, lack of proper coordination among public, private and people, insufficient funds invested in the health sector are the reasons for major failures.
The health department needs to actively work and coordinate with the other departments. The health department must access the data from the other departments to use them for health. For example, diarrhoea, a health concern, can be related to either lack of proper sanitation facilities or lack of clean drinking water. Shortage of human resources and infrastructure is one main factor which is to be looked at, and funding alone will not help people improve the health facilities–it is behavioural change that will create a major impact. The recommendations for the health sector include:
Understand the context – political, financial, socio-behavioural, legal Ensure planning is open, consultative, evidence-based; determine priorities Look at data –demographic/epidemiological –to state vision and targets Match inputs for supply – infrastructure/ HR Reduce duplication Ensure access and quality Closely monitor for results Develop partnerships for sustainability Understand what you are doing and why Define roles and responsibilities clearly –Identify who has to do what and why, e.g., frontline workers Improve co-ordination and convergence –engage and give up departmentalism Use evidence to communicate, building systems, processes to ensure results Have clarity of vision, design, financing and incentives – that is the framework Change strategy where needed – pilot a new delivery system, e.g., neighbourhood doctor / family doctor
44 Workshop on Bangaru Telangana & Sustainable Development Goals - A Report Mr Rajeshwar Tiwari
It is commercialisation which has damaged the health sector of the country. There is a need to put a ceiling on the prices of treatments and drugs. The etiquette at government hospitals plays important role, along with provision of health services. We need to focus on proper care for communicable diseases. It is hoped that in the next three years the MMR would be at 70, TFR at 1.6 and full immunisation at 90 per cent. Telangana state is better- off in the allocation of funds compared to other states. To achieve health for all in the state of Telangana, the State shall ensure that review of 100 percent maternal and child deaths will be done, provision of kangaroo care and mother care, 100 per cent screening of health for children up to 18 years of age and early diagnosis of TB and HIV.
Session wrap up
In this session, specific to nutrition, the triple burden of disease experienced by the state – Undernourishment, Hidden Hunger and Obesity–was explained in detail, based on the analysis of a nutrition study in Telangana. Strategic measures to be adopted by the state varied from dietary diversity and district-based interventions, lifestyle changes to improvement in the socioeconomic status of people of state. Appreciating the efforts already made by the state to improve maternal and child health, it was noted that to further improve, the state needs to focus more on improving the quality of healthcare centres, reduce the cost of child bearing service and reduce the C-section rate in the state.
The three major challenges related to healthcare facilities, which Telangana state needs to address, are poor access to health facilities and their poor quality and efficiency. Emphasising the need for behavioural change to bring in the best results, the session discussed the possibility to trial new service delivery strategies on an experimental basis. The need for inter-sectoral coordination, utilising data for results, and introducing new management practices in human resources, etc., were also highlighted.
Health and Nutrition in Telangana – Challenges and Opportunities 45 Profiles of the Panel Experts
Ms K. Sujatha Rao Sujatha Rao served as Union Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for the Government of India until 2010. MsRao was previously a Takemi Fellow for International Health at the Harvard School of Public Health (1993). She is also the first Gro Harlem Brundtland Senior Leadership Fellow at the Harvard School of Public Health
Dr A. Laxmaiah Dr Laxmaiah is an epidemiologist and public health nutrition specialist, heading the Division of Community Studies at the National Institute of Nutrition. He has been researching extensively in the areas of Public Health and Nutrition. He has vast experience in carrying out epidemiological, operational and intervention trials in health and nutrition.
Prof. Gautam Pingle Prof. Gautam Pingle is the Dean of Studies and Head, Centre for Telangana Studies at the Dr MCR HRD Institute. He was earlier Dean of Research at ASCI, Hyderabad, and served as Director of Public Policy and Governance at ASCI, Hyderabad, and several other positions.
Dr Meena som Dr Meena Som is currently working as Health specialist, UNICEF.
Mr Rajeswar Tiwari Sri Rajeswar Tiwari, I.A.S, Special Chief Secretary, Health Medical and Family Welfare Department, Government of Telangana.
46 Workshop on Bangaru Telangana & Sustainable Development Goals - A Report SESSION 6: Revamping Agriculture and Reviving Rural Economy in Telangana
SDGs #12, 14, 15: Goal12. Responsible Consumption and Production; Goal 14. Life below Water; Goal 15. Life on Land
Moderator Mr B.P. Acharya, IAS, Spl. Chief Secretary, Planning Department, and Director General, Dr MCR HRD IT, Hyderabad
Panel Experts
Prof. Ramesh Chand, Member NITI Aayog Dr G.V. Ramanjaneyulu, Executive Director, Centre for Sustainable Agriculture Mr Gokul Patnaik, IAS (Retd.), Former Chairman, APEDA
DGs 12 through 15 focuses on strategies for reversing the negative impacts of economic Sdevelopment on ecosystems and the services they provide. SDG 12, Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP), promotes social and economic development within the carrying capacity of ecosystems, raising efficiency and ensuring sustainability in the use of resources and production processes, reducing resource degradation, pollution and waste.
Sustainable consumption addresses the demand side, focusing on consumers’ choices of goods and services such as food, shelter, clothing, mobility and leisure, to fulfil basic needs and improve the quality of life (UNEP, 2006). It means buying goods and services that do not harm the environment, society and the economy. However, it is important to understand that sustainable consumption is not necessarily about consuming less; it is about consuming better, i.e., more efficiently, with less risk to our health and environment.
Sustainable production is concerned more about the supply side and the impact of production processes; the focus is on achieving more resource-efficient and cleaner production, there by reducing risks for humans and the environment.3 With 11 set targets, the goal is whole-encompassing, from production to preventing wastage and living sustainably.
Though the state does not have a coastline, SDG 14, which deals with ‘conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development’ holds relevance for the state of Telangana. Understanding the importance of water as the
3 India and Sustainable Development Goals: The way forward, RIS
Revamping Agriculture and Reviving Rural Economy in Telangana 47 factor which affects the growth of the state, the state has taken several steps to conserve the water (Mission Kakatiya) and provide safe drinking water (Mission Bhagiratha) to all households in the state. Also, the state has a sizable population who are engaged in fresh- water fishing as a livelihood. Hence, sustainable ways of maintaining life under water is important for the state.
SDG 15 is linked to SDG 2 on food security, SDG 6 on water and sanitation, SDG 11 on sustainable cities. Being a rain-fed and landlocked state, with more than half of the population living in rural areas, dependent on agriculture, with a land use pattern of 23 percent forest coverage, 37 percent net sown area and 8 percent non-agricultural land use, the state is committed to protecting the agricultural sector and environment and to bring in sustainable economic growth in the state. A sustainable solution to the multiple problems of agriculture sector is the need of the hour. The Department of Agriculture and allied sectors, Irrigation and CAD, EFS&T and ST Welfare, Panchayat Raj and Rural Development, Municipal Administration and Urban Development and Energy all play an important role.
Dr G.V. Ramanjaneyulu
Agriculture is a vital sector in the economies of developing countries and a key issue in sustainable development. The cluster of issues around ‘sustainable agriculture, food security and nutrition’ has emerged as an important focus area. Due to the spread of harmful chemical agriculture, there is also a need for a transition to ecologically sound farming in many areas, otherwise it can led to a crisis. Lack of proper systems related to access to credit, and the current insurance systems can lead to economic crisis, as well. Telangana is presently the second-highest state in indebtedness, where the majority (75 per cent) of farmers in rural areas have a net income of only Rs.5000 a month.
The recommendations for achieving SDG include: Have an agro-ecological approach Scale up the cultivation of crops with minimal usage of pesticides Have means of reporting, input, data collation and review for the State Plan of Action for Department of Agriculture Introduce drought-control and drought-management plans Strengthen farmers’ cooperatives and access to credit Create a single unified national agriculture market Set up a state-level price compensation mechanism Set up a credit guarantee fund with non-agricultural assets as collateral Provide insurance for the farmers in order to help them with any natural losses Revise the 30percent income tax on farmers’ co-operatives, which is too high and provide them with a tax holiday Put zero GST on agricultural products
48 Workshop on Bangaru Telangana & Sustainable Development Goals - A Report Mr Gokul Patnaik
Ending hunger will come along with achieving food security and improvingnutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture.
–Mr Gokul Patnaik
Unlike others, agriculture is a common sector which holds the key to the achievement of other Sustainable Development Goals, namely numbers 2, 5,6,12 and 13. Investing in the agriculture sector can address not only hunger and malnutrition but also other challenges, including poverty, water and energy use, climate change and unsustainable production and consumption. Furthermore, female participation in the agriculture sector is equal or even more than of men.
Ending hunger will come along with achieving food security and improving nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture. (Goal 2: Zero hunger) The targets are achievable only when there is belief that they can be achieved. Interventions like Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), National Nutrition Mission (NNM), National Food Security Act (NFSA), passed in 2013, and the Mid-Day Meal Scheme are meant for addressing provision of food and improve nutrition levels of community.
Indian production of fruits and vegetables in the previous year surpassed the production of food grains.
To ensure sustainable and responsible consumption and production patterns, (Goal 12), we need to end wastage. Nearly one-third of agricultural production is lost after harvest or wasted during processing and consumption. From harvest to consumption 25- 35 per cent is wasted and 6-8 per cent of food grains are wasted. We need to change agriculture production and processing methods to reduce wastage at production stage onwards.
Micro-irrigation is needed to ensure that only the required quantum of water is used. Erstwhile Andhra Pradesh had the highest proportion of cultivable land, pegged at 5.7 per cent and this, if used in a planned way with micro-irrigation, can resolve issues not only related to agriculture but also the water crisis. Recycling of water, rainwater harvesting and less use of water can ensure better sanitation, and proper water management.
Massive investments in organised retail chains are necessary to stimulate our agriculture, stabilise prices, create jobs and promote exports. Most food inflation is in respect of fruits, vegetables, eggs, milk, meat and fish. In the absence of proper logistics, the consumer pays a high price and the farmer realises a low price. The only way of assuring the best price for the consumer as well as farmer is to compress the elaborate market chain, and bring the producer close to the consumer. The source of investments is of little consequence as long as steps are taken to protect the interests of farmers and consumers.
Revamping Agriculture and Reviving Rural Economy in Telangana 49 We need to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts on agriculture (Goal 13), and to develop climate-resistant crops is the need of the time. India is very vulnerable to climate changes, hence needs climate-resistant crops, e.g., seeds that can grow in salinity. Agricultural scientists play a major role in taking up these initiatives and the amount spent on research provides multiple-fold returns by not only helping the farmer but by also helping the environment. Agriculture needs to adapt to climate change through the widespread implementation of agro-ecological innovations which will allow carbon to be stored in soils and trees, and developing mechanisms for temperature and humidity shocks to be absorbed.
For example, the present agricultural practices cause erosion, a decline in groundwater levels, deforestation and pollution. Other issues that plague Indian agriculture are those such as deterioration of soil health, especially where there is more irrigation, seed replacement and improper water utilisation. Research and development should accord priority to these issues. Improve the efficacy of farmland by halting and reverse deteriorating soil health Promote usage of certified seeds Practise sustainable water management with rain water harvesting and preservation of rain water Develop local agricultural marketing Use technology in agriculture
Improving marketing and proper public distribution would help the farmers earn better and invest the same accordingly for the next cycle. In states like Telangana, food security relies on the growth of the agriculture sector.
In states like Telangana, food security relies on the growth of the agriculture sector.
The key recommendations for achieving SDGs include: Promote usage and ensure availability of certified seeds Ensure availability of ground /surface water for agriculture Use technology – access and utilisation of technology for better harvests / yields Build up agricultural marketing –develop /provide marketing support for agricultural produce Implement the Marketing Act
Prof. Ramesh Chand
The SDGs are important for the overall welfare of the society. NITI Aayog has a key role to monitor the progress of SDGs in the country and states and also develop indicators to measure the progress made. Telangana, as a new state, has several aspirations and transformational expectations. Despite the progress the state has made, it should also learn from other states. The planning and policy should keep the long-term perspective in mind as long-term goals are more important than short-term gains.
50 Workshop on Bangaru Telangana & Sustainable Development Goals - A Report The NITI Aayog is now working with states with a long-term view To develop vision, strategy and action plans To set up targets and monitor progress To bring efficacy in public spending and focus on outcomes
The farm sector plays a key role in strengthening the national economy, improving inclusive growth, ensuring sustainable development and dealing with climate change. Poverty reduction can take place with investment in agriculture, with focus on improved agricultural practice. The SDG goals are directly or indirectly related to agriculture. Agriculture is directly proportional to many factors such as poverty, hunger, production, innovation etc. Study shows that the poverty-reduction power of agriculture growth is 4-5 times more than of industrial growth. The unsustainable utilisation of water needs to be addressed to achieve SDG goals, rather than indiscriminately lavishing it on crop production, as in Punjab where 97 per cent of the water is used in agriculture. India uses 3-5 times more water than other countries. Because of development initiatives, only 71 per cent of the agricultural land is used and the rest is left without any cultivation, which means the resources are not used to the fullest. About 80 per cent of the resources, i.e., land and people have migrated to the construction sector.
To link agriculture to SDGs, attention should first be on agriculture/crop pattern or production system should be consistent with natural resource endowment. For the state of Telangana, different zones and crops suitable for those zones should be identified and crop patterns to be developed accordingly.
Secondly, we should focus on procedural farming, which has lot of scope for increasing production. Thirdly, blend traditional and modern technology for better results. India is suffering with unsafe food and we need to pay attention to the appropriate usage of chemicals. Health, education and security need to be focused upon.
It is a matter of concern that Indian farmers lag behind the non-farmers in income growth: we must make major reforms in the agricultural sector. When ‘farm income’ is at the centre, ‘production’ shall be the natural consequence. In the sector of agriculture, including irrigation, the states have agreed to work on five key issues, viz. Enhancing productivity Land-leasing reforms Remunerative prices Risk management Second green revolution in Eastern states
Reforms should be adopted by the states, including a model of contract-farming proposed by NITI Aayog, to accelerate agricultural growth and reduce inequities. Agriculture income has increased at the rate of 3 per cent, which is very low. There is huge disparity in rural areas; a non agriculture worker earns three times more than a farmer, and an agriculture labour earns less than half the income earned by a farmer. We need to pay attention to increasing productivity and agriculture income. Measures to address these issues are to upgrade technology and efficiency.
Revamping Agriculture and Reviving Rural Economy in Telangana 51 Secondly, we need development initiatives. For instance, crop intensity in Telangana is 29 percent. 71 percent of land is used for cultivation for only three months. This is too low – we need to focus on using water harvesting and conservation methods to increase crop intensity. In the state there is huge fluctuation in crop output, which declined about 25 per cent. There is a need for market reforms, promote food processing and link agro processing.
The road map of PMKSY, shared with the states, also stresses increasing productivity – how to produce more output per drop of water, need for revival of existing ponds and tanks and formation of water users’ associations. In consultations with the states, NITI Aayog also launched farmer-friendly reforms related to land reforms and agriculture marketing
The key recommendations to the state include: Use a multi-pronged strategy – efficiency and skills based Enact key measures: Technology, for improved variety of seeds and irrigation. Government and the private sector can and must form innovative partnerships with farmers’ organisations and smallholders, providing access to better seeds, sustainable farming techniques, and modern technologies. Use suitable crops-based on regional suitability Promote improved water management systems Focus on precision farming not flood irrigation Blend traditional and modern technology Make appropriate use of agro chemicals and discontinue indiscriminate use of chemicals in pre- and post-harvest Promote agro processing industries
Session Wrap-up
The session on SDG 12, 14 and 15, being critical sustainable development goals which have a direct role in shaping the agricultural and allied sectors of the state and having tremendous impact on the achievement of several other goals, was impactful. Critically looking at the agricultural sector of the state, the session provided several action points to the state to work on from policy to activity level. In short, it revolved around technology usage in agriculture, agriculture financing, improved water management systems, improved agrochemicals usage and setting up of agro-processing industries. The importance of adopting an agro- ecological approach, technology introduction, land and water management, newer finance and marketing strategies were repeatedly stressed.
52 Workshop on Bangaru Telangana & Sustainable Development Goals - A Report Profiles of the Panel Experts
Mr Gokul Patnaik Mr Gokul Patnaik, IAS (Retd.), is Chairman of Global Agri Systems Pvt. Ltd., India’s premier agri-services organisation, and was the architect behind the manifold increase in Indian agricultural exports. He has been President of the All India Food Processors’ Association, Chairman of the Working Group on Agricultural Marketing constituted by the Planning Commission, and a member of the Governing Body of ICAR.
Dr G.V. Ramanjaneyulu Dr Raman is Executive Director, Centre for Sustainable Agriculture, Secunderabad. He pioneered the concept of Non Pesticide Management (NPM) in agriculture. He won the Best Innovation award at the Maharashtra Rural Livelihoods Innovation Forum 2014, for establishing Community Managed Sustainable Agriculture in Maharashtra. He has been a member of the Sub-Committee on Dry land Agriculture in the Radhakrishna Committee appointed by the Government of Andhra Pradesh, 2014.
Prof. Ramesh Chand Prof. Ramesh Chand is currently Member of NITI Aayog in the rank and status of Union Minister of State. He has a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi. He is Fellow, National Academy of Agricultural Sciences and Indian Society of Agricultural Economics. Prof. Chand has 33 years of experience in research and teaching in the field of agricultural economics and policy. He has been involved in policy formulation for agriculture sector for the last 15 years. Prior to joining NITI Aayog, he was Director National Institute of Agricultural Economics and Policy Research, New Delhi.
Revamping Agriculture and Reviving Rural Economy in Telangana 53
Valedictory Session
Chief Guest
Prof. C.H. Hanumantha Rao, Former Member, Planning Commission and Founder Member, CESS, Hyderabad
Guests of Honour Dr Ramesh Chand, Member NITI Aayog, New Delhi Mr A.K. Goel, IAS (Retd.), Advisor, Planning and Energy, Govt. of Telangana Dr G.R. Reddy, IES (Retd.), Advisor, Finance, Govt. of Telangana
Presided over by Mr B.P. Acharya, IAS, Spl. Chief Secretary, Planning Department, and Director General, Dr MCR HRD IT, Hyderabad.
Dr G.R. Reddy
The SDGs need to be taken up seriously; the vision of Bangaru Telangana matches the framework of the SDGs. Education, health and agriculture are three areas to focus upon. Unsustainable growth hurts the poor and in order to have sustainable growth we need to update ourselves and change our methods, to eradicate poverty. The SDG goals need to be translated into a development agenda, thereby into action. Educating and sensitising are more important and need to have a participatory approach. The key points for the state to consider include:
1. We need to bring a transition from low-income country to a middle-income country 2. Resources should not only be mobilised but put into better use 3. There should be quality of governance and quality of commitment.
We need to extend beyond the state of Telangana and a helping hand from the Government of India would be a boon in achieving the goals.
Valedictory Session 55 Mr A.K. Goel
Water management is very crucial for Telangana and we need to plan accordingly.
–Mr A.K. Goel
Every new state has new zeal to achieve something good and Telangana had been taking up various initiatives, not only for the benefits on short-term basis but long term as well. Some of the Sustainability Development Goals, which flow from MDGs, have been achieved in the state of Telangana, such as IMR and MMR rates; poverty levels have substantially comedown because of several welfare programmes taken up by the government.
With regard to the agriculture, Telangana’s production of rice has grown at about 40 percent and it has surplus produce. Utilisation of surplus produce does not yield profit. Instead, change cropping patterns; cultivate crops that suit the state. With the help of ICRISAT, Hyderabad, the state has a high potential to become the seed-bowl of the country. State has given the biggest budgetary allocations for the agriculture sector, such as loan waivers, Mission Kakatiya and investment on land, which could reap better results. Water management is very crucial for Telangana and we need to plan accordingly.
It has taken several years to achieve Telangana’s literacy levels. It is essential to formulate a holistic policy for education to ensure quality education, good nutrition and infrastructure to attain the education goals of the state. Planning with the right education, skill development and technology we can attain beyond what has been achieved so far. Telangana can then flourish into a Bangaru Telangana soon.
Prof. Hanumantha Rao
It is important to improve health and nutrition, and quality education and give greater access to weaker sections.
–Prof. Hanumantha Rao
The issue of sustainability, inclusiveness, quality of development outcomes are primary to the state. The state institutions are accountable for the development process. The goals set by the SDGs and the Telangana government for Bangaru Telangana are the same. The biggest struggle was related to water and jobs. Excessive dependence on ground water, uncertainty, farmers’ suicides are the most important concerns we need to address. Another concern is the struggle for employment. The empowerment of the people, including political empowerment, has been a major objective. Government initiatives overlap with SDGs, for instance water conservation through Mission Kakatiya, the
56 Workshop on Bangaru Telangana & Sustainable Development Goals - A Report tapping of Godavari river under Mission Bhagiratha, and environmental programmes like Haritha Haram. It is important to have management practices and sustainability programmes to overcome future challenges. Inducing economic usage of water, where emphasis is on total factor productivity is central for agriculture sustainability.
The women in agriculture contribute as much as men. Non-farm employment is highly capital-intensive and currently does not generate much employment. But rural non-farm employment is highly labour intensive and a potential source of livelihood generation. Growth of non-farm rural employment is thus very important. It is essential for the Telangana industrial policy to have inclusive industrial development. Dispersed industrialisation regionally creates greater employment and can be more sustainable.
It is important to improve health and nutrition, and quality education and give greater access to weaker sections. Reverse the process of privatisation in sectors of education and health and strengthen public investment and ensure greater access for weaker sections. We need to improve the accountability mechanism so as to increase participation. Address inequalities and poverty reduction, especially among the tribal population, who constitute 9 percent of the total population by effective implementation of forest rights, PESA.
The Chief Guest, concluding the two day workshop, said that when the per capita income grows the significant number of people who have been BPL will be APL hence attaining a major factor of the SDGs. The major difference of the SDGs from the MDGs was the emphasis on inclusiveness and role of institutions in assuring accountability. Involvement of people, participation of local representatives and ensuring the performance of primary health care and education is extremely important.
Valedictory Session - Presenatation of Mementos
Valedictory Session 57
Conclusion and Way Forward
he inaugural session highlighted the need for aligning the framework of the SDG goals Tand Bangaru Telangana. It also highlighted the several initiatives already taken up by the state government towards the SDG goals and further plans by the state government to augment the existing initiatives. By and large, the state shall look towards four factors.
1. All initiatives of the state will look forward to integrating three basic pillars of SDG – social, economic and environmental development. 2. All initiatives will have a special component to focus on children’s interests and rights. 3. All new initiatives of the state will be based on extensive plans and will look for its contribution towards achieving the SDGs at the planning stage itself. 4. The State will be persistent and systematic in its plan to build capacities to implement the SDGs, strengthen and build partnerships, bring civil societies to work in a coherent and consistent way, and get adequate funds.
The panel session on ‘Quality Education and Skill Development’ discussed various issues and opportunities linked to education and skill development. Education is a key SDG goal, which will open the path for several other SDG goals. Hence, active planning on the education sector is required to achieve the SDG goals. Several major challenges that need to be addressed include public financing for education, public education at primary as well as higher education level, improving quality of education (learning assessments and curriculum developments), retention in higher education and job-skill development, integrating ECCD and industrial tie-ups for skill development, etc., were highlighted by the panel members. Adopting an integrated structured planning with intra-sectoral and inter- sectoral linkages and coordination among departments will help in achieving SDGs goals directly linked to education and will contribute towards other goals as well.
An enormous agenda in itself, ‘Welfare’ is key to bring in development to the vulnerable and underprivileged community. The second session elaborated on the various social welfare and social protection schemes by the state government. The commitment of the state government for the vulnerable, the underprivileged and the minority population, which comes to around 85 per cent of the state population is explicit. Telangana is the only state to take exclusive initiatives for minorities. The state spends the highest amount on various social protection schemes. However, the session also discussed on few of the gaps which the state need to address which includes equity issues within the caste and sub-caste system, disparities between rural and urban areas, gender inequalities within vulnerable and minority communities, a pro-active role for government officials, improved coordination among departments and the issue of misrepresentation of data due to ‘average effect’, which may restrict/prevent from expanding social protection schemes of government.
Conclusion and Way Forward 59 The third session was on urban development. Acknowledging the rapid urbanisation expected in the state of Telangana, the department is already gearing up to align the existing centrally sponsored schemes and other initiatives to SDG 11. The current urban programmes in the state, based on centrally sponsored schemes and resource generation for urban initiatives, were explained in detail. The session also discussed in detail the issue of ‘retaining culture in diversity’, social justice and living space for all in urban areas, migration and rights of migrants. Flexibility in urban planning methods was identified as a critical factor for managing cities. Multi-stakeholder engagement that involves private and civil society, public space management, waste recycling and management are priority issues requiring attention in the state.
The fourth session was on Innovation and Industry. The session looked at SDG goal 8 and 9. Multi-pronged goals that require integrated action from multiple sectors where government has several proactive roles to play, SDG goals 8 and 9 are critical in achieving many other Goals too. The session discussed diverse subjects, the role of government to facilitate business response through integrated cross-sectoral policies and strategies. Core to the SDG goals is promoting inclusive and sustainable industrial development, advancing economic competitiveness and to create shared prosperity, while safeguarding the environment. In the industrial sector, the state of Telangana can look for enhancing productivity– labour and resource productivity, quality of trade, skill development of youth by creating linkages with industry, infusion of technology in SMEs, especially in smaller towns, focus on management practices and increasing female work participation.
For innovations, better linkages with research, academia and industry need to be developed in the state. The session also highlighted the gross wastage in food, especially due to lack of adequate food processing mechanisms and identified as an area which Government needs to act upon. Efforts from Government to make the industry realise the true meaning of ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’ as being responsible – economically, socially and environmentally – in all their actions is a first step and will be very close to the core values of SDGs.
In the session on health and nutrition, the triple burden of disease experienced by the state – Undernourishment, Hidden Hunger and Obesity–specific to nutrition, based on the analysis of a nutrition study in Telangana, was explained in detail. Strategic measures to be adopted by the state varied from dietary diversity, district-based interventions, lifestyle changes, and improvement in the socioeconomic status of the people of the state. Appreciating the efforts already taken by the state to improve the maternal and child health, the session noted that to further improve on it, the state need to focus more on improving the quality of healthcare centres, reduce the cost of child-bearing service and reduce the C-section rate in the state.
The three major challenges related to healthcare facilities which Telangana state needs to address are poor access to health care facilities, and their poor quality and efficiency. Emphasising the need for behavioural change to bring in the best results, the session discussed the possibility to trial new service delivery strategies on an experimental basis. The need for inter-sectoral coordination, utilising data for results, and introducing new management practices in human resources, etc., were also highlighted.
60 Workshop on Bangaru Telangana & Sustainable Development Goals - A Report The session on SDG 12, 14 and 15, being critical sustainable development goals which have a direct role in shaping the agricultural and allied sectors of the state and having tremendous impact on achievement of several other goals, was impactful. Critically looking at the agricultural sector of the state, the session provided several action points to the state to work on from policy to activity level. In short, it revolved around technology usage in agriculture, agriculture financing, improved water management systems, improved agro- chemicals usage, setting up of agro- processing industries. The importance of adopting agro-ecological approach, technology introduction, land and water management, newer finance and marketing strategies were repeatedly stressed.
Throughout the workshop, several suggestions and expert opinions emerged on each theme, which the state can act upon. One of the most important learnings is that to achieve the SDGs, all departments need to work with more coordination than in isolation. Similarly, for all new initiatives, the social, economic and environmental factors need to be considered from the planning stage itself.
Way Forward
It is important for the nodal departments of each SDG goal to initiate the planning process for each SDG target (within the goal) by identifying the factors that need to be worked on. Not only each activity for the department but also the activities required from other departments to support each target also need to be mapped. Whatever new initiatives are in process, it is important to align it to the SDGs.
It may be worthwhile to have a high-level committee for each thematic areas of SDG who can coordinate and monitor among departments while developing the 15-year vision and 7-year strategy. The committee may be launched from the knowledge centre– the Centre for Sustainable Development. Besides, the Centre for Sustainable Development may take the lead in supporting the departments to make their 15-year vision and 7-year strategy. The success of the SDGs’ implementation framework depends on aligning targets with existing central schemes and programmes, developing inter-sectoral linkages, developing an agro-ecological approach and a multi-layered strategic plan for the state.
The planning at the initial stage is critical as it will lay the steps for building different partnerships, policies and develop programmes in the state. The Department of Planning, through the Centre for Sustainable Development, will lead to facilitate the planning process in all departments.
A suggestive step-by-step planning process for the departments is provided below. This includes:
Conclusion and Way Forward 61 Step 1: Assign a nodal person from each Department to handle planning and coordination for the SDG. The nodal person is to be preferably a senior officer from the department
Output: A senior officer in charge of SDGs in each department
Step 2: Conduct three workshops within the department with representation from district and state levels to discuss the status, challenges, way forward, linkages, etc. The Centre for Sustainable Development can facilitate the workshop. Each department unit with a broad common need are to sit together and plan backwards by considering the situation five years and 10 years from now. The workshop should identify and list out required policy changes, interdepartmental actions, human resource management, etc. Develop a small team from the workshops to work on specific areas of assignment. Over the three workshops, the specific assignments can become the background works for developing the departmental roadmap for achieving SDG targets. Organise an intradepartmental workshop and joint action plan. Identify and develop joint areas of action, policy issues and futuristic planning (for eg., Within education sector – school education, NCERT, DIET, Technical education etc., to have individual plans and then joint for the education sector of the state – all aligned and worked out together towards single Goal).
Output: Three workshops involving departmental staff (where the department is planning for its future); thematic support from departments to work on SDGs, background documents to support the planning process for 7-year strategy, 3-year action plan. Workshop to understand the needs and limitation of departments, joint action plan and policy papers.
Step 3: Conduct inter-departmental workshops where the identified support and coordination required from other departments are discussed and planned together.
Output: Departments identified the areas of coordination and support required from other departments and joint policy papers, action plans, review and monitoring mechanisms are developed based on a timeframe.
Step 4: Develop a road map for the department to achieve the SDG targets by framing the vision and 7-year strategy. Identify measurable indicators for each stage of seven years.
Output: Department Vision, 7-year strategy and measurable indicators.
Step 5: Prepare an action plan for three years, reflecting the learning from workshops and in line with the strategies.
Output: 3-year action plan with deadlines for each unit within the department.
Step 6: Develop a joint action plan for the various units within the department.
Output: 3-year action for the department.
Step 7 : Monitoring and review mechanism at state level under Chief Minister/Chief Secretary and thereafter at appropriate level to ensure the smooth progress of planning process, to support to coordinate across departments
Output: Develop and conduct periodic review of the planning process.
Each department has to take the initiative to achieve the targets given under the SDGs and it is very essential to reach the state vision of Bangaru Telangana. 62 Workshop on Bangaru Telangana & Sustainable Development Goals - A Report Programme Schedule
Planning Department, Government of Telangana Workshop on ‘Bangaru Telangana & Sustainable Development Goals (Sdgs)’ Programme Schedule Time Topic/Activity Guest Speakers DAY 1: 13 July 2017 10:00 a.m. to Inaugural Session Dr V.K. Saraswat 11:00 a.m. Member, NITI Aayog, Govt. of India, New Delhi
Sri S.Niranjan Reddy Vice Chairman, Planning Board, Govt of Telangana
Sri B.V. Papa Rao, IAS (Retd.) Advisor, Policy and Institutional Development, Govt. of Telangana
Sri Diego Palacios UN Resident Coordinator for India
Ms Meital Rusdia Chief,UNICEF, Hyderabad Office
Sri B.P.Acharya, IAS Spl. Chief Secretary, Planning Department, and DG, MCRHRDIT 11:00 a.m. to Tea Break 11:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m. to SESSION I Dr R.V. Vaidyanath Aiyar, IAS (Retd.) 01:30 p.m. Panel Discussion on Former Secretary, HRD, GOI ‘Quality Education and Skill Development’ Sri Ramesh Datla (SDGs #4,5,10) Chairman, CII, Southern Region 4. Quality Education 5.Gender Equality Prof. Jandhyala B.G. Tilak 10. Reduce Inequalities Former VC, NUEPA, New Delhi,
Moderator Sri Ramachandra Rao Begur Ms Ranjeev R. Senior Education Specialist, UNICEF, Acharya, IAS New Delhi Spl. Chief Secretary, Education Ms Renu Singh Young Lives Project, Delhi
Programme Schedule 63 Time Topic/Activity Guest Speakers 01:30 p.m. to LUNCH 02:30 p.m. 02:30 p.m. to SESSION II Panel Experts 04:30 p.m. Panel Discussion on Sri H.K. Nagu ‘Welfare Agenda for Member, State ST Commission Bangaru Telangana – The Way Forward’ Sri Mallepally Laxmaiah (SDG#10) Special Officer, 10. Reduce Inequalities Buddhavanam Project
Chairperson Dr Amir Ullah Khan Sri A. Rama Lakshman, Professor, MANUU IAS (Retd.) Advisor to Government
Co-Chairperson Sri A.K. Khan, IPS (Retd.) Advisor to Government 04:30 p.m, to Closing Remarks by Spl. Chief Secretary, Planning. 05.00 p.m. DAY 2: 14 July 2017 10:00 a.m. to SESSION III Dr T.K. Sridevi, IAS 11:30 a.m. Panel Discussion on Director, ‘Urban Development Municipal Administration – Smart Cities and Urban-Centric Prof. Ranabir Samaddar Sanitation’ (SDG# 11) Director, Calcutta Research Group 11. Sustainable Cities and Communities Sri Maheep Singh Thapar M.D., ADAPT. Moderator Prof. Kalpana Kannabiran Director, Council for Social Development
64 Workshop on Bangaru Telangana & Sustainable Development Goals - A Report Time Topic/Activity Guest Speakers 11:30 a.m.to Tea Break 11:45 a.m. 11:45 a.m.to SESSION IV Panel Experts 01:30 p.m. Panel Discussion Sri Ajit Rangnekar on ‘Innovation and CEO, Research & Innovation Circle of Industry’ (SDGs#8,9) Hyderabad (RICH) 8. Decent work and Economic Growth Sri Ramesh Datla 9. Industry, Innovation Chairman, CII, Southern Region and Infrastructure Sri Rene Van Berkel Moderator UNIDO Representative Dr Gautam Pingle, Regional Office, India Dean of Studies, MCRHRDIT Sri Sher Singh Verick Head, Centre for Deputy Director, ILO, Telangana Studies Regional Office, India
Sri Devi Prasad Juvvadi Director, CGG 01:30 p.m.to LUNCH 02:30 p.m. 02:30 p.m.to SESSION V Panel Experts 03:30 p.m. Panel Discussion on Ms Sujatha Rao, IAS (Retd.) ‘Health and Nutrition Former Secretary, Health and Family in Telangana – Welfare, Challenges and Govt. of India Opportunities’ (SDG #3, 5) Sri Rajeshwar Tiwari, IAS 3. Good Health and Principal Secretary, Medical and Health, Well-being Government of Telangana 5. Gender Equality Moderator Dr A. Laxmaiah Prof. Gautam Pingle Sr. Scientist, NIN, Hyderabad Dean of Studies, MCRHRDIT, Dr MeenaSom Head, Centre for Health Specialist, UNICEF Telangana Studies
Programme Schedule 65 Time Topic/Activity Guest Speakers 03:30 p.m.to Tea Break 03:45 p.m. 03:45 p.m.to SESSION VI Panel Experts 05:00 p.m. Panel Discussion Sri Gokul Patnaik, IAS (Retd.) on ‘Revamping Former Chairman, APEDA Agriculture and Reviving Rural Dr G.V. Ramanjaneyulu Economy in Telangana Executive Director, State’ (SDG #12, 14) Centre for Sustainable Agriculture 12. Responsible Hyderabad Consumption and Production 14. Life below Water 15. Life on Land
Chairperson Dr Ramesh Chand Member NITI Aayog 05:00 p.m. to Valedictory Session Prof. C.H. Hanumantha Rao 06:00 p.m. Former Member, Planning Commission Founder Member, CESS, Hyderabad
Prof. Ramesh Chand Member, NITI Aayog
Sri A.K. Goel, IAS (Retd.) Advisor, Planning and Energy, Govt. of Telangana
Dr G.R. Reddy, IES (Retd.) Advisor, Finance. Govt. of Telangana
Sri B.P. Acharya, IAS Spl. Chief Secretary, Planning Department, and DG, MCRHRDIT
66 Workshop on Bangaru Telangana & Sustainable Development Goals - A Report