- Assurance of all possible support to develop a robust and sustainable monitoring and evaluation mechanism in the state
- High-level meeting held under the chairmanship of State NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Shri Ganesh Shankar Mishra; review of ‘State Support Mission’ activities conducted
- Special emphasis on data-driven policy formulation, effective monitoring, and result-oriented schemes to achieve the goals of ‘Anjor Vision-2047’
Ms. Nidhi Chhibber, Director General of the Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO) under NITI Aayog, Government of India, has commended the work being undertaken by the Chhattisgarh State NITI Aayog in the areas of policy formulation, as well as the monitoring and evaluation of schemes. She noted that Chhattisgarh has taken significant initiatives in the field of monitoring and evaluation within a short span of time. Emphasizing the need to develop a robust and sustainable monitoring and evaluation mechanism to ensure the effective implementation of schemes and the assessment of their actual outcomes, she assured that DMEO, NITI Aayog, would provide all possible support in this direction.
A high-level meeting was held today at the State NITI Aayog, Chhattisgarh, to review the activities being conducted under the ‘State Support Mission’ and the proposed action plans. The meeting was chaired by the Vice-Chairman of the State NITI Aayog, Shri Ganesh Shankar Mishra. Senior officials of the Commission, including Planning Secretary Shri Bhuvnesh Yadav, were present on the occasion.
- State NITI Aayog Plays a Pivotal Role in Achieving the Goals of ‘Anjor Vision-2047’: Shri Ganesh Shankar Mishra
Welcoming Director General Ms. Nidhi Chhibber at the meeting, State NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Shri Ganesh Shankar Mishra stated that the State NITI Aayog is working to provide a new direction to the state’s overall development as an advisory and knowledge-based institution (think tank). The Commission is continuously introducing innovations in the areas of policy formulation, scheme monitoring and evaluation, and inter-departmental coordination. Shri Mishra stated that the State Policy Commission is playing a pivotal role in realizing the resolve to transform Chhattisgarh into a developed state by 2047 under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai. To achieve the goals of ‘Anjor Vision-2047’, it is essential that the benefits of schemes reach the last person in society and that their impact and outcomes are assessed based on concrete data and scientific methodologies. He added that the Commission is fostering data-driven policy formulation and a result-oriented work culture by establishing better coordination among various departments.
- Leveraging the expertise of IIM Raipur and IIT Bhilai for scheme evaluation
Shri Bhuvnesh Yadav, Secretary of Planning, Economics, and Statistics, stated that the state government is working earnestly to strengthen the monitoring and evaluation system for its schemes. In this regard, the expertise of prestigious institutions like the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Raipur and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhilai is being utilized. This will ensure the effective application of modern technology, research-based studies, and academic expertise in the evaluation of schemes.
- Rapid studies in nine priority sectors; work on ‘Anjor Vision’ portal underway
During the meeting, detailed information was presented regarding the activities being conducted and proposed by the State Policy Commission’s Monitoring and Evaluation Unit and the Project Implementation Unit. Officials reported that studies are being conducted for the pilot evaluation of various government schemes. These studies are based on the evaluation framework prescribed by the Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO) of the NITI Aayog.
The DMEO’s Output-Outcome Monitoring Framework (OOMF) and Data Governance Quality Index (DGQI) have been adopted in the state, tailored to local requirements. Additionally, rapid studies are being conducted across nine priority sectors. Work is also in progress to develop the ‘Anjor Vision’ portal to monitor and review the progress made towards the goals of ‘Anjor Vision-2047’. Child Welfare Index being developed with UNICEF support to serve as an effective foundation for child development
It was informed during the meeting that a Child Welfare Index is being developed by the State NITI Aayog in collaboration with UNICEF. This initiative is among the pioneering efforts in the country in this regard. Through this index, not only will the availability of various services reaching children be assessed, but their actual impact and outcomes will also be evaluated.
This initiative will assist in identifying needs related to children’s health, nutrition, education, and overall well-being. It will also help determine which districts and regions require greater attention and investment, thereby enabling child welfare schemes to become more effective and result-oriented.
- District-level dashboard for monitoring Sustainable Development Goals; initiative towards outcome-based budgeting
The meeting highlighted that the State NITI Aayog is issuing annual progress reports based on state and district-level frameworks to assess progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A dedicated dashboard has also been developed to regularly monitor SDG progress across districts.
Additionally, work is underway regarding budget analysis based on the Sustainable Development Goals within the state. This analysis will clarify how government expenditure…the extent of the contribution towards achieving various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Based on these findings, it will be possible to encourage an outcome-based budgeting system by gradually integrating the SDGs into the future budget-making process.
- Chhattisgarh’s initiative is commendable; developing a permanent monitoring and evaluation mechanism is essential: Ms. Nidhi Chhibber
Director General Ms. Nidhi Chhibber praised the extensive work accomplished by the State Policy Commission in a short span of time, noting that Chhattisgarh has made commendable efforts to adapt DMEO’s evaluation frameworks to suit the state’s specific needs.
She stated that the success of schemes should not be limited merely to their implementation; it is equally essential to ensure that the actual benefits reach the intended beneficiaries and that the desired outcomes are achieved. To this end, developing a robust, institutionalized, and permanent monitoring and evaluation mechanism within the state is crucial.
Ms. Chhibber remarked that an effective monitoring and evaluation system would facilitate an accurate assessment of scheme progress, timely identification of shortcomings, and the implementation of necessary corrective measures. She assured that DMEO, NITI Aayog, would provide all possible technical and institutional support to further strengthen this system in Chhattisgarh.
Officials from the State Policy Commission, including the Director of Economics and Statistics, Shri Tirthraj Agrawal, were present at the meeting.