On 26 November 2019 a dissemination workshop was organized at Mumbai by UNICEF Maharashtra and Department of Rural Development, Government of Maharashtra regarding studies conducted in 2018-19 on local governance in Maharashtra. SIGMA Foundation’s President, Dr M.N. Roy presented the results of the study on Gram Panchayat Development Plans in Maharashtra (GPDP) along with Mr Debraj Bhattacharya, Fellow, SIGMA Foundation. This study was carried out by SIGMA Foundation with a sample of 264 GPs across 12 districts of the state. Dr Roy emphasized the need for making participatory planning an annual exercise in the state.
The meeting was chaired by Mr. Aseem Gupta, Principal Secretary, Department of Rural Development, and had participation of officials from RDD, SIRD, Director RGSA, State Panchayat Directorate, MSRLM, CEOs and Deputy CEOs of Zilla Parishads, Vice-Presidents and Project Directors of District Livelihood Mission from all districts apart from officials of UNICEF Maharashtra.
Findings of the GPDP study triggered a lot of discussion on investment for women and children in GPDP, convergence with SRLM and ways to improve it, need for increasing GPDP resource envelope through SFC funds and capacity building needs for better planning and data management/monitoring. The presentation was appreciated by the Government of Maharashtra and UNICEF officials.