Welcome to the Committee Members and Special Invitees on the First Meeting of National Advisory-

1. Welcome to the Committee Members and Special Invitees on the First Meeting of National Advisory- cum-Review Committee on BRGF

2. Some Issues before the National Advisory-cum-Review Committee on BRGF BK Sinha, Director General, National Institute of Rural Development Rajanderanagar, Hyderabad Convener of the National Advisory-cum-Review Committee on BRGF

3. The Tasks Before the Committee → to assess the extent to which the objectives of the BRGF have been fulfilled; → Review the quality of programme management at Central, State & District levels; → Assess the quality of district plans, frequently occurring deficiencies, aspects of capacity building, planning process, role or Training Support Institutions etc. → Adequacy of monitoring mechanism; → Need for modification in the objectives & design of BRGF including Blocks as units for BRGF funding; → Any collateral issue that may arise

4. Some Functional Issues/ Dateline → Ministry has indicated first report in 3 months; → Quarterly report thereafter; → how many reports to be written; → what would be the closure period; → what is the life of the Committee; → in how much of time the Ministry expects completion of the task;

5. Methodologies to be Used → Whether any sample survey is envisaged; → the focus group discussions; → inviting opinion of the managers; → Seminars/Workshops; → Assessment of the opinion of the EPRs. MLAs & MPs; → Interaction with the Planning Officers, District Magistrates, CEOs of ZPs, BDOs;

6. Recent Developments → the drive for convergence by MoRD; → launching of Pilot Projects; → Creation of a National Alliance for Convergence; → Creation of the Institution of Lok Sewaks by the MoRD; → Changes in the guidelines of the MGREGS- inclusion of the Small & Marginal Farmers; → Large scale capacity building drive by MoRD;

7. World Bank Appraisal → Appraisal done by the World Bank; → Sponsored by MoPR; → rest of the States also to be covered; → how much reliance to be placed; → how synergies could be built; → do we need another survey; → how does it impact our methodologies;

8. Data Collection & Analysis → if so the universe of the survey; → size of the sample; → the method of collection & enumeration; → collection of secondary data; → analysis of the data; → the form of analysis & presentation; → support from MoPR & CESS

9. Study Tours & Visits → Visit to States, districts, Blocks & Panchayats; → Jan Sunwais & Focus Group discussions; → Interactions with the Panchayat officials; → Interfacing with the EPRs of the three levels; → Discussions with the MLAs, MPs; → Discussion with the District Collectors & District Officials; → Interaction with the State Officials; → Interaction with the Secretaries to the GoI of the related Ministries;

10. Library & Other Logistical Support → Books and other periodicals; → Annotated bibliographies to be prepared; → published articles; → other sources of ascertainment of views; → Support of expert groups;

11. Report Writing → Preliminary the format; → Putting together report writing group; → preparation of the first draft; → subsequent drafts of the report; → final submission; → National Seminar to test the findings;

12. Action Taken → Website created; www.nird.org.in/brgf → hosting on the website; www.nird.org.in → E-mail address: rcombrgf@gmail.com → arrangement for data collation, analysis and preliminary findings; → hosting on Solution Exchange; → Preliminary issues framed and circulated;

13. Thank You