Block Development Strategy
The Block Development Strategy outlines the priorities in each sector of the Block and the services that will be offered to the public based on the demands of the local communities and the priorities of States/UTs.
The key principles while preparing the BDS document
- Each Block should prepare its own uniquely designed Block Development strategy which will unleash its strengths while addressing the challenges and amplifying its opportunities.
- Block Development Strategy should reflect the hopes and aspirations of its people. It should be a hugely consultative process with all stakeholders.
- It is based on the premise that with Jan Bhagidari and through collaborative approach between different departments and different levels of government brings change in the lives of the citizens.
- While making the block strategy, it is critical to look beyond inputs (like availability of buildings, equipment etc.) but to look at creating systems that focus on outcomes. To focus on outcomes is the core objective of this exercise.
- Strategy should focus on narrowing down the factors which are dragging development. Strategy should address those challenges by providing innovative, local, field level solutions. This will turn weakness to strengths and open opportunities for development.
- Our objective
Steps for preparing BDS
Conduct Chintan Shivir - DM may call district level heads of departments and BLOs to discuss the BDS
A detailed consultative process along with all stakeholders including PRIs, NGOs, academicians etc. may be undertaken to identify challenges and to devise strategy to improve the KPIs.
- Each Block should prepare its own uniquely designed Block Development strategy which will unleash its strengths while addressing the challenges and amplifying its opportunities.
- Block Development Strategy should reflect the hopes and aspirations of its people. It should be a hugely consultative process with all stakeholders.
Sector - wise analysis
- Nine groups may be formed in the chintan shivir as one for each sector
- Each group will identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of their respective sector in achieving their goal and to surpass the State's average
Identifying problem areas
- Identify geographical pockets / areas that are lagging behind in particular indicator and therefore need special attention
- In order to identify these low performing pockets, one can take aid of few diagnostic tools. This will bring transparency and clarity.
Diagnostic tools for sector-wise analysis:- Sector wise analysis may be done by using input based diagnostic tool where identification of the standard challenges and scoping intervention will help developing BDS.
Adequacy of Infrastructure
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Availability, Adequacy and quality of infrastructure- Are there adequate number of schools as per NEP norms? Identify the locations/ GPs where schools are not available
- Are there existing schools that have adequate school rooms as per norms? Identify those schools with inadequate school rooms.
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Adequacy and quality of equipment/ accessories/ supplies
- Are the Anganwadis in block having the prescribed equipment, stock of Poshan Ahar etc.?
- Are the available equipment in Anganwadis in working condition? Identify Anganwadis having issues in Poshan Ahar supply
Adequacy of Infrastructure
Terrain and connectivity challenges may be extremely important in certain pockets of block
Maximum utilization of Financial resources
- It is expected that block administration will improve the quality of expenditure of available financial resources
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Are there opportunities to mobilize the financial resources-
Convergence of funds from various schemes
CSR
District Mineral Funds
15th Finance Commission Funds Other block specific resources of funds
Handholding with available Human resources
- Are there vacant posts on critical portfolios? Identify those to report the higher authorities.
- Is capacity building for existing human resource required? If yes, that demand also may be placed to higher authorities.
- Can departments work together to increase impact? Eg- Health and Women & Child Welfare Department
Assessing areas with developmental gaps
- Which GPs /area /community in the block are socio-economically deprived. Blocks may be having communities historically affected such as marginalized groups (SC/ST) or PVTGs
- Certain pockets in the Aspiration blocks may show deprivation or extreme gap in the development. For example- Out of 100 GPs in block, there may be 15-20 GPs where number of SAM children are high. This may be due to combination of factors such as absence of government infrastructure, manpower, poor quality delivery or social limitations.
- Identify such GPs (with LGD code) having maximum challenges and gaps in the development.
- Similar approach of input based diagnostic analysis may be followed for all sectors having poor performing KPIs. In order to make delivery of Government programes beneficial and impactful to citizens
Conclusion : Based on deliberations in Chintan Shivir with stakeholders
Prepare a SWOTanalysis
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Threats
Strength
Block can have a very good road network, a very supportive teachers union, special funding support like district mineral fund etc.
Weakness
Vacancies in staff, low morale of staff, poor quality of roads in block, high rate of exodus due to poverty etc.
Opportunities
Strengths can be leveraged to become opportunities. With good team building efforts, one can focus ones energies and improve the percentage of success in 10th grade examination by providing special classes with the help of dedicated teachers.
Threats
Every weakness can become a threat if not properly addressed. Bad roads can lead to poor connectivity to PHCs and decrease in medical care, decrease in institutional deliveries etc. Exodus (out migration) from the district can lead to a downward slide into poverty.
- District machinery should convert strength into opportunities and address the weaknesses and prevent their downward spiral which become threats
- Example of analysis of health sector indicator
IEC Plan:- District should list keen intervention planned for behaviour change and social mobilisation
Aspirational Blocks Programme
Best Practices
Training
Key Performance Indicators
