Convergence of schemes can improve growth, development outcome: United Nations report

NEW DELHI: A United Nations report has unearthed the potential within various government schemes to complement each another and improve the lives of people and communities, while enhancing growth and development outcomes.

The report assesses initiatives underway in six states and illustrates how these can be successfully converged to enhance qualitative and sustainable outcomes for development.

"With convergence, two plus two will equal six, not four," Planning Commission Member B K Chaturvedi said at the release of the report here.

The schemes analysed include the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme in Kerala; rural housing in Sikkim; collaboration among agriculture, water, rural development and forestry sectors in Chhattisgarh; horticulture in Andhra Pradesh; sanitation in Tamil Nadu and rehabilitation of beggar families in Gujarat.

The report also examines how Madhya Pradesh created a single conduit for delivering entitlements of several schemes and departments to the beneficiaries under its Samruddhi Model of Financial Inclusion leading to resource efficiency and better outcomes.

The report is authored by Additional Chief Secretary, Panchayat and Rural Development in Madhya Pradesh Aruna Sharma.

Resource convergence aims to establish a synergy between government, NGOs, the private sector and beneficiaries in addressing the needs of the poorest communities.

The model includes all stakeholders such as government, non-governmental, civil society and corporate sector thinkers and philanthropists.