If you notice, the Government of Odisha has been presenting in the
Public Domain various Policies on Development. In Odisha, we have such a
poor Civil Society Network that there is no way to monitor how these
policy decisions are translated into action and whether they have been
beneficial or not. Of course, there is periodic analysis of the Budgets
and Expenditures done very professionally by Pravash Mishra and Team in
CYSD producing very authentic reports. Hope this exercise has some
impact somewhere. Our common people do not have much understanding of
the Budgets and Expenditures and hence there is very little response. In
order that public mind is agitated over policy implications, there
should be search for alternative ways of communication. Some people are
happily indulging in Social Audits being hired by the Govt. and very
ably doctoring this Post Mortem exercise. Very few are calling Spade a
Spade.
I am always cross-checking about the Policy declarations on construction of 1lakh Farm Ponds and Thousands of Check dams. Has the Government come with an open and verifiable statement how many farm ponds have been constructed under NREGS out of the target of 1lakh and what is the reality check is not known to any one. Barring a few , I saw pits dug in the name of Farm Ponds causing sheer waste of public money under NREGS. Wherever I am going , I am also examining the check-dams constructed and their feasibility. Farms Ponds have very little Budget while Check dams have huge. In order to achieve targets, I am afraid, check-dams are becoming real jokes. So in both cases, there is fear that there are colossal waste of pubic money and defeat of the objectives of the such measures.
Our friends involve in RTI campaigns, must ask for the detailed report on Farm Ponds and Check Dams at the Block, District and the State Level and verify as many locations as possible. This will have two objectives - a) Make Public Aware of the Public Policies and b) Improve the methods of implementation of the Policies in specific contexts.
Can we expect more postings on this reality check? Can we influence the policies?
I am always cross-checking about the Policy declarations on construction of 1lakh Farm Ponds and Thousands of Check dams. Has the Government come with an open and verifiable statement how many farm ponds have been constructed under NREGS out of the target of 1lakh and what is the reality check is not known to any one. Barring a few , I saw pits dug in the name of Farm Ponds causing sheer waste of public money under NREGS. Wherever I am going , I am also examining the check-dams constructed and their feasibility. Farms Ponds have very little Budget while Check dams have huge. In order to achieve targets, I am afraid, check-dams are becoming real jokes. So in both cases, there is fear that there are colossal waste of pubic money and defeat of the objectives of the such measures.
Our friends involve in RTI campaigns, must ask for the detailed report on Farm Ponds and Check Dams at the Block, District and the State Level and verify as many locations as possible. This will have two objectives - a) Make Public Aware of the Public Policies and b) Improve the methods of implementation of the Policies in specific contexts.
Can we expect more postings on this reality check? Can we influence the policies?
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