[Dec 2007, Volume 4 Quarterly Issue] Pdf File size - The IIPM Think ...

REIMAGINING INDIA
of efficient procurement arrangements for
the trained staff in health sector should
complete the array of institutional reforms
to ensure effective and efficient health
services. Improvements in ancillary services
will focus on the management of
health data and enhancing research into
paramedical services such as traditional
healing methods.
Housing Amenities
As a consequence of the more recent and
prevailing demographic trends, rapid urbanization
and concentration of the urban
population, the demand for decent housing
is increasingly elusive to satisfy. The
long term objectives of housing sector will
aim at increasing production of decent
housing stock on a more regular basis. A
review of the existing housing schemes like
Indira Awas Yojana (Indira Housing Plan)
is a study in decentralization and institutionalization
of corruption upto the grassroots
level. Contrary to this and to effectively
address the problems posed by
pressing demography and rapid urbanization,
particular attention will be focused
on the need for specialized housing finance
institutions such as housing banks
and housing co-operatives. Improving
housing development capabilities is a prerequisite
for providing a decent standing
of living.
The Way Forward
The foregoing discussion highlights the
potential implications of a proposed Integrated
Development Plan for the Barak
Valley that will be piloted in Karimganj
district. The South Asia Development
Gateway has discussed this plan on various
platforms and consultations to determine
the readiness of the stakeholders
with a view to project a road map leading
to the structure of a development strategy
for the area. The outcome of these consultations
were largely encouraging and
attracted valuable inputs which were as
well enlisted. The approach taken in the
formulation of the strategy is participatory
since all stakeholders will be provided
the opportunity to contribute to the
fundamental design of the strategy based
on the guidelines provided.
On a concluding note, it will not be out
of place to mention that among many
promises of the digital revolution is the
potential to strengthen democracy and
make governments more responsive to
Institutional performance is a critical factor, not only
in the design and implementation of development
programs, but also in the effective realization of any
development policy goals and targets
the needs of the citizens. This Integrated
Development Plan includes the use of
information and communication technologies
to transform the way Government
conducts its business, which includes:
Providing greater access to
government information; Promoting
civic engagement by enabling public to
interact with government officials; Making
government more accountable by
making its operations more transparent
and thus reducing the opportunities for
corruption; Providing development opportunities,
especially benefiting rural
and traditional underserved communi-
ties. Let us now dream to establish “The
Barak Valley Incorporated” as the Integrated
Development Plan aims at a fullfledged
private sector that is responsible
to the development needs of this area and
that can play an active role in the domestic
economy. Government will ensure
that market mechanism function smoothly
within a free market and a stable macro-economic
environment. On the external
front, the maintenance of a steady
exchange rate between the valley and major
foreign trade agencies as well as the
implementation of agreements signed
with international financial institutions
will ensure a more positive insertion of
the economy into the international
scene.
Over the last decade, it has become
clear that an internally consistent set of
economic and financial policies is a necessary
but not sufficient condition for
growth and development. Institution performance
is a critical factor, not only in
the design and implementation to development
programs, but also in the effective
realization of any development policy
goals and targets. Integrated
Development Plan integrates institutional
capacities as a key factor of production
and sets as an objective the correction of
institutional failures in order to accelerate
the implementation of development
programs. Notwithstanding the lead role
of the private sector in region’s future
socio-economic development, public sector
institutions have a critical role to play
in the delivery of support infrastructural
and social services to buttress the development
efforts of the private sector. It is
therefore envisaged that the plan shall
refer to parastatals on one hand and the
bureaucracy on the other hand.
180 THE IIPM THINK TANK