State govt signs pact for proper implementation of welfare schemes

Rajasthan has become the first state in the country where experts from the United Nations (UN) will help in implementing the welfare schemes under district plans. The experts deputed by the UN will be advising on avoiding overlapping of efforts and wastage of time and funds while implementing the welfare schemes related to maternal health and primary education etc.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed recently between the government of Rajasthan and the UN for adopting a convergent approach in five districts namely Barmer, Sawai Madhopur, Udaipur, Chittorgarh and Sirohi.

The agencies like United Nations Development Plan (UNDP), Unicef, UNFPA etc will participate in the programmes under the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (2008-2012).

According to the MoU, the roles and responsibilities of the UN agencies are to provide technical assistance and human resources at district levels for a 'joint programme on convergence'. A district collector will lead the convergence initiative to formulate and implement district plans in conformity with the guidelines of the Planning Commission and the Backward District Grants Fund.

Udaipur district collector Anand Kumar said, "The UN experts posted permanently in the district for the convergence programme will definitely work as a helping hand for us. We are looking forward to their advice and support for improving the implementation of various welfare schemes."

Planning secretary Yadvendra Mathur, at the time of signing of the MoU, said, "This initiative would act as a model within the state which can be extended to other seven backward districts."Securing future: UN experts will also help implement welfare schemes related to primary education in districts.

Anand Kumar, Udaipur district collector

The UN experts posted permanently in the districts will definitely work as a helping hand for us. We are looking forward to their advice for improving the implementation of various welfare schemes.”

Arvind Singh/ DNA-Daily News & Analysis Source: 3D Syndication