Page 16 - PDI Vol 2

obtained by use of LGD code in the existing datasets and KPIs, some can be calculated by using the available data
fields in the MIS and for the rest a deeper intervention is needed to go to the GP level.

The immediate association of Index with Statistics, got a very high attendance from the Officers-in-charge of Statistics
in different Ministries, but not with programme and parameters familiarity. Due to the large canvas of the indicators, it
is more than one officer in the Ministry, who deals with the associated schemes. Hence it called for repetitive meetings
and further follow up by MoPR.

The Committee also met with the representatives of different States/UTs and had special Meetings with States of Hilly

areas and States that had initiated action on the LIF post the LSDG Expert Group Report.
Most importantly the Committee met with select Gram Panchayats in YASHADA, Maharashtra in June 2022, and

presented the LIF for the 9 Themes, and obtained their views on it. To understand the imperatives of data availability
on where it is available and what is available with whom, the Committee took up a field visit in Maharashtra in June
2022, followed by a full and complete detailed work, refined down to the very place, person and register, in the GP for
all data points, done under the leadership of Dr. Kalshetti, esteemed Member of the Committee. This provided an

excellent base to collect field data from the specific sources during the field work for the Proof of Concept.
The evolution of the current LIF is based on these Meetings, deliberations in the Committee, discussions with Elected

Representatives and Panchayat Functionaries in YASHADA, Pune and thereafter the field visit to understand field data
availability and the data collection for the Proof of Concept.

In view of the limited indicators presently available at GP level from Ministries, and based on YASHADA findings, the
Committee decided to take up 100% data collection from the GP as all data comes from there, and to see how many
data points we will be able to obtain data, how many indicators in how many SDG Themes will hence be calculated,
and whether we can arrive at Thematic scores and the Panchayat Development Index finally. The Proof of Concept has
provided the confirmation for this Report and the use of PDI, Thematic and Indicators scores to be the benchmark for

development assessments at GP level on SDGs in the future, as well as provide basis for planning and action at GP
level in its GPDP, and use for evidence-based policy and programme by Ministries and Departments, State
Governments and for advocacy by the PRIs, drawing attention to the issues to be addressed and supported with
resources.

The PDI, Themes, Indicators, in year 1 is to assess where Gram Panchayats stand in the development scale measured on
maximum number of indicators for which data can be collected to provide a baseline, and the first PDI baseline.

This basket of 577 indicators (including repeat indicators, and sub-indicators) would appear phenomenal and that it
cannot be handled by Gram Panchayats. The Committee when it met with select Gram Panchayats in YASHADA,

Maharashtra in June 2022, and presented the LIF for the 9 Themes, on the contrary, received confirmation of the need
for all the indicators as relevant and also that few more can be added.

In the field visit in Maharashtra, the Committee found that currently the GPs deal with around 33 Registers (5-annual, 6
-monthly, 22-daily) at GP level in the GP functioning itself. The range is from 5-42 columns, some 478 columns
altogether. GP Presidents and Gram sevaks through capacity building and the need to learn and know, have picked it
up. Where then is the question of the 400 + indicators going to be difficult? It may in fact make immense sense as it

deals with aspects of their life and improvements to their GP and development for them. Restricting anything because
of numbers is doing a disservice to their identification in a structured manner of the needs and goals to be achieved for
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