Page 62 - PDI_Report

Data availability and source mapping in the Gram Panchayats in For each Indicator, the data to be collected by Data Source is
different States on the lines of Maharashtra is an exercise that given in the Annexure-I, Table 15, as well as presented
needs to be taken up for enabling Data collection. The formats Ministry/Department wise in Annexure-I, Table 12. This latter
are given in Annexure-IV-B. Considering how useful it would is highly necessary, both for drawing interest, attention and
be to the States and understanding of the field data availability establishing the links between the data basket of LIF for PDI
and collection, the Committee had asked for it to be and the data available with Ministries. There is need for a
communicated by MoPR to all States, and States position
thereon be collected, for inclusion in Report. Such collection
will also enable addressing the issues of data availability in
different States. This is necessary as where such strong field
data collection at Gram Panchayat level in Registers is not
there, actions to bring them into place, need to be one of the
first steps. Directly moving this into a tech platform may be also
possible, in some States. In some States, Registers must be
maintained, considering the availability of internet and
electricity. It is important however, to have a standard/uniform deeper exercise to be done with regard to the various data points
method for data to be collected on each indicator across Gram available in the Database of the Ministries, as mentioned earlier.
Panchayats for ensuring comparability. Standardization of all
Entering data into various portals at Gram Panchayat level is
data points to be collected and segregating by source is
done by a number of field functionaries. Some data such as
necessary for systematic data collection. States involvement in
number of households, would be needed for SBM, JJM,
this is essential. It will be of tremendous use to the States to
Mahatma Gandhi NREGS, POSHAN Abhiyan, UDISE+,
have such standardized formats and data points inclusion in
HMIS, etc., and would be available in different portals . First is
existing data systems. The experience in Maharashtra has
there a need to enter it each time, and secondly, currently when
reiterated and highlighted these as critical to data collection.
it is entered whether all of them reflect the same figure (where it
refers to the same set), whether all use the same source,
Standardization of all data points to be collected reference period? Whether this can be standardised with one
and segregating by source is necessary for system-
single entry, of households as taken from a single data source,
atic data collection.
recognised and accepted as correct & validated, is an area to be
taken up for creating a single data base reflecting common
Gram Panchayats can certainly take the initiative to improve on aspects of the village/Gram Panchayat data, that can be the
the ways they ensure outcomes & monitor, and collect data place from which, every other Ministry/Department, that
through more regular mechanisms, as they may evolve. Perhaps wants to use it can dip into. One the most common is Number
this may be a special initiative of the Gram Panchayat, and may of households which is required under many schemes of
well lead to evolving more grounded mechanisms. The proof of different Ministries, and is part of the basic population profile in
this is in the data booklet prepared by Ms. Jyoti Patil, Gram Panchayat, is collected under
Gramsevak, Gopalpur-GP, Taluka-Pandharpur, Maharashtra, eGramSwaraj. This is also collected by GPs for their
and her feedback of having found this exercise of data functioning such as for Property Tax in Gram Panchayat. GPs,
collection as giving her the biggest data set for enabling huge who maintain detailed registers with this and other information,
development work in the GP, that was not available or seen itself appearing in different registers of the Gram Panchayats
before. would find this standardization and single entries useful for

36
PDI Committee Report - 2023: Data 36