Page 89 - PDI_Report

Conceptual Relationship between LIF and PDI refer the indicators under that theme i.e., LIF and respective

thematic score.
LIF indicators and thematic score estimated based on these
local indicators, mostly are unidimensional in nature. For e.g., PDI and LIF shares a coherent relationship and PDI cannot be
Livestock Aid Centre, Anganwadi Centre, Primary Health estimated without LIF, and LIF needs the PDI to project the GP
Centre and such infrastructure reflects the self-sufficiency and as a unitary whole. Thematic score reflects the strength and
quality of infrastructure, which is being measured and leads to weakness of a GP in a particular theme while PDI reflects its
the Thematic Score of Theme 6, Self-Sufficient Infrastructure. overall performance. At the same time, the thematic score helps
However, there are indicators for e.g., Maternal Mortality Ratio a GP to plan its GPDP appropriately giving more focus to
(MMR) that reflect the maternal health status, and the thematic comparatively less developed position of theme. It also ensures
score for Theme 2: Healthy Villages but also reflects in Themes optimum utilization of funds as the thematic score highlights
3 and 9 of Child Friendly and Engendered Development the requirement and priority of a GP.
respectively, as the 2 Themes also connects maternal health as However, both needs to be interpreted separately as they have
indicator relevant to it. That notwithstanding, as an indicator it different policy implications. The LIF has multiple
provides the progress of a GP towards achieving SDG targets departments / Ministries clearly identifiable for involvement to
only in health, and not in other sectors like education, economy, direct its programmes and policy, while PDI gives the overall
or environmental aspects. status of development of the GP, all GPs in the Block/District,

can show relative backwardness and gap between the GPs -
developed/ developing/ needing special attention. Progress

along sectoral / department deliverable lines can be seen
through the LIF indicators and their groupings, and
interpretation, while on the other hand, PDI helps in monitoring

the progress at holistic level. Positions on score ranges and

ranking GPs on LIF and PDI basis can provide evidence to
impact policy and programmes at the national and State level.

Baseline data
The starting point of assessments under the different Themes
and arriving at a PDI value is at the baseline. Different Gram

Panchayats are at different levels and scores will more

measurably reveal it. The data available at Gram Panchayat
level needs to be collected for maximum number of data points
for getting the baseline of the Gram Panchayats. This would not

be a simple exercise. But as the Committee has done the work
On the other hand, PDI is multidimensional as it includes scores towards the proof of concept of PDI (covered in the next
across all the themes, viz. social, economic, and environmental chapter), that this can be done can be firmly said. This can be
parameters etc. This single valued composite index provides a for the year ending 31.3.2022 or 31.3.2023, with the pilot in
snapshot of the overall progress made by each GP. However, it Different Gram Panchayats are at different
averages out all 9 thematic scores. Hence, to assess the levels of development and baseline scores will
development of a GP in a particular domain/theme, one needs to more measurably reveal it.

PDI Committee Report - 2023: Panchayat Development Index 63