OdishaPlus Bureau
World Bank offers deployment of teams at ground levels
With Poverty remaining still high and concentrating in certain pockets and among groups in the State, World Bank will take steps to locate these pockets of poverty and help in finding means to eradicate it in a planned manner. Eradicating the poverty in the State will remain a challenge for the State Administration if the hidden pockets are not identified, feel officials.
The International Bank has proposed to partner with the State Government and to deploy a high-level team at the ground level to identify the poverty-ridden areas. Though the pace of poverty reduction in State was the fastest in the country after 2005, poverty continues to be high and concentrated in certain areas and people.
The World Bank has said that there is a need for a time-bound plan for State’s development and this can be achieved with its support in helping implement the same. Enhancing the overall capacity of the State in State Administration, Public Sector Undertakings (PSU)s and Private Sector is needed to be strengthened.
Diversification
A sector-wise approach will provide sustenance to interventions unlike projects, where most benefits cease after the closure of the project, said the World Bank adding, better alignment of priorities of the State with the support and programs of World Bank will be helpful for the State. Diversification of the economy is now needed and it can be done by promoting upstream and downstream linkages for greater value addition in Mining and Agriculture, it has suggested.
While stress has been laid on the generation of more revenue from natural sources, It has urged the State Government to look into the issue of inventing these revenues for improving the capital base. While strengthening the capabilities of the State Government is needed, strengthening the Fiscal Policy and Debt Management should be the priority, pointed out the World Bank. World Bank has advised for building an integrated social protection platform to move from multiple schemes to a state of the art social protection system.
Confusion
An expert in social sector engaged in poverty reduction said in Odisha there are a number of social protection schemes and a multiple numbers of schemes does not ensure proper protection of the vulnerable groups. Instead, it creates confusion among the implementers and beneficiaries. Focus on quality education, health care and nutrition services are needed as these will spur development process and improve the human development index (HDI).
The World Bank has also suggested for improvement of data system for better governance, accountability in service delivery and enhanced use of data in policy formulation at Government Level, said officials.improvement in urban development institutions is needed as also improvement and strengthening the Municipal financial system, promotion of urban slum up-gradation and supporting affordable housing sector and building urban resilience. As the State is located in a unique area, it has a lot of advantages for building up a vibrant logistics sector and spur trade and industry.