Shelter_April 2023

POLICY REVIEW HOUSING AND SKILLING – THE INTERSECTION OF INNOVATIVE HOUSING POLICY ARUN BHANDARI This paper discusses the Rapid urbanization has led interrelationship between to a significant increase in affordable housing and social the demand for affordable development programmes. The housing, particularly in focus of the paper is on skill developing countries. The development, especially in the urban population is expected context of the Govt of India to double by 2050 and the programmes such as the National majority of this growth will “Skill development plays Urban Livelihood mission, and occur in cities in developing countries. However, the a crucial role in promoting the National Skill Development supply of affordable housing has not kept pace with the affordable housing and Mission. growing demand, leading to huge housing deficit. reducing poverty. Skill In addition to the housing deficit, the quality of development programs INTRODUCTION: housing for urban poor is often inadequate, with poor provide individuals with Affordable housing is a ventilation, lighting, and sanitation facilities. This leads the necessary skills to secure fundamental aspect of to a host of health problems, such as respiratory diseases, jobs and earn higher incomes, sustainable development, diarrhoea, and malaria. According to a Report by the which in turn can help and it plays a significant World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 3.8 them access better housing role in addressing poverty, million people die each year from indoor air pollution, with options. According to a study reducing inequality, jobs the majority of these deaths occurring in developing by the International Labour and income, and promoting countries. Organization (ILO), skills social inclusion. According to To address the affordable housing deficit and improve development can increase the United Nations Human the quality of housing for urban poor, governments the earnings of low-skilled Settlements Programme workers by 25-50 percent.” (UN-Habitat), affordable housing refers to housing that is adequate in terms of size, location, affordability, Key words: Affordable Housing, and access to basic services, PMAY, NULM, Skill Development, NSDM such as water, sanitation, Mr. Arun Bhandari (info@ ecubesolution.in) is an urban and energy. The UN-Habitat professional working as an independent housing and sustainability consultant estimates that approximately for UNDP India and other development institutions. 1.2 billion people worldwide lack access to adequate housing, and this number is expected to grow with rapid urbanization. April, 2023, Volume 24. No.1 - SHELTER 49

POLICY REVIEW and non-governmental Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana beneficiaries by 2022. The (PMAY) in India provides program provides financial organizations (NGOs) have housing subsidies to eligible assistance to low-income families and emphasizes the implemented various housing participation of women in the families to construct or housing construction process. programs. These programs The program also focuses purchase a house. Similarly, on promoting sustainable focus on providing affordable construction practices and the Skill Development Mission improving the quality of housing units, improving housing units. and Digital India Mission housing infrastructure, have been instrumental in and promoting sustainable improving the quality of and inclusive housing.The construction and promoting biggest impediments to innovative construction implementing affordable practices. housing schemes have been SOCIAL POLICIES AND HOUSING economic growth, availability DEVELOPMENT The PMAY-Urban seeks to PROGRAMS address the affordable hous- of cheap and subsidized ing requirement in urban areas through following pro- land, tenure rights, jobs and gramme verticals: income opportunities. It is clear that conventional top Social policies and down affordable housing development programs play • Slum rehabilitation of Slum Dwellers with policies did not worked well a crucial role in promoting participation of private developers using land as in the past. The success of affordable housing. For a resource; any social and affordable example, India’s Pradhan housing program requires a Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) multi-pronged strategy. Social aims to provide affordable • Promotion of Affordable policies, such as the provision housing to all eligible of basic services, can improve the living conditions of urban poor. Development programs, such as the National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY- NULM) in India, can provide skill training and employment opportunities to urban poor. Affordable housing finance, such as microfinance and housing subsidies, can make housing more affordable and accessible to low-income families. Innovative housing programs should focus on the integration of education, skill development, women empowerment, gender issues, and access to finance (Source: https://pmay-urban.gov.in/uploads, Access date 22 Feb 2023) and credit. For example, the 50 HUDCO-HSMI Publication

POLICY REVIEW Housing through Credit private partnership model. subsidies and technical Linked Subsidy; The program provides assistance to developers to subsidies and technical build affordable housing • Affordable Housing in assistance to developers to units. The program has been Partnership with Public build affordable housing successful in reducing housing & Private sectors;and units. The program has been deficits and improving the successful in improving the living conditions of low- • Subsidy for Beneficiary- quality of housing for low- income families. Led individual income families. house construction / Global and Indian case enhancement. studies provide examples Singapore: The Singapore of successful affordable AFFORDABLE government’s Home housing programs that HOUSING FINANCE Ownership Program can be replicated in other Affordable housing finance is essential for promoting provides affordable housing countries and regions. The sustainable and inclusive housing. However, access to Singaporeans through a Minha Casa Minha Vida to finance remains a significant barrier for low- combination of subsidized program in Brazil has income families. The best policies and practices for housing and public rental provided affordable housing affordable housing finance include innovative financing flats. The program has been to millions of low-income mechanisms, such as microfinance and community- successful in promoting families through a public- based finance, and public- private partnerships. homeownership and reducing private partnership model. inequality. The Baan Mankong program India: The Ahmedabad Slum in Thailand has provided Networking Project (ASNP) is secure tenure and improved a collaborative effort between housing infrastructure to the Ahmedabad Municipal slum dwellers through a Corporation, NGOs, and the community-driven approach. private sector to improve The Women’s Habitat Network the living conditions of slum in Kenya has provided dwellers in Ahmedabad, training and employment INNOVATIVE India. The project provides opportunities to women in HOUSING PROGRAMS basic infrastructure, such construction and housing- as water supply, sanitation, Innovative housing programs and street lighting, to slum related industries.The areas. It also provides should focus on the affordable housing units to program has been successful eligible families through a integration of education, skill community-driven approach. in promoting women’s development, mason training, economic empowerment women empowerment, and improving the quality gender issues, and access to of construction in housing finance and credit. Here are Brazil: The Brazilian projects government’s Minha Casa some examples of global and Minha Vida (My House My These examples also reinforce Life) program aims to provide Indian case studies: affordable housing to low- the fact that affordable housing income families through a Mexico: The Mexican public-private partnership is critical for promoting government’s Social Housing model. The program provides sustainable development Program provides affordable and addressing poverty and housing to low-income inequality. Governments families through a public- and NGOs should focus April, 2023, Volume 24. No.1 - SHELTER 51

POLICY REVIEW on implementing housing (DAY-NULM) aims to provide has been integrated with programs that provide skill training and employment affordable housing. The affordable and sustainable opportunities to urban poor. program aims to provide skill housing units, improve The program focuses on training and employment housing infrastructure, and women’s empowerment by opportunities to urban poor promote sustainable and providing special incentives and homeless individuals. inclusive housing. for women entrepreneurs. Through the program, The program has been beneficiaries can access INTEGRATION OF successful in improving training in a variety of sectors, EDUCATION, SKILL the economic status of including construction and DEVELOPMENT urban poor and promoting housing-related industries. AND WOMEN sustainable livelihoods. Skill The program also provides EMPOWERMENT development plays a crucial support for entrepreneurship role in promoting affordable development and access to According to a Study by the housing and reducing credit. Centre for Policy Research, poverty. Skill development the affordable housing sector programs provide individuals The National Skill in India has the potential with the necessary skills to to create 3.3 million jobs by secure jobs and earn higher Development Mission 2022. In addition, the Study incomes, which in turn can estimates that the sector could help them access better (NSDM) in India is contribute up to 1% of India’s housing options. According gross domestic product (GDP) to a study by the International another example of a skill by 2025. Innovative housing Labour Organization (ILO), programs should focus on the skills development can development program that integration of education, skill increase the earnings of low- development, and women skilled workers by 25-50%. can support affordable empowerment. The DAY-NULM is also housing. The program aims In India, the Deendayal an example of a skill Antyodaya Yojana-National development program that to provide skill training to 400 Urban Livelihoods Mission million people by 2022 and create job opportunities in various sectors. By providing individuals with the necessary skills, they can secure higher- paying jobs and access better housing options. Pic 01: Construction Skill Training workshop and PMAY-G field visit site, UNDP Odisha 52 HUDCO-HSMI Publication

POLICY REVIEW Despite the many initiatives vocational training. In this This scheme provides under the NSDM, the model, students are trained implementation of skill in both theoretical knowledge monetary rewards development programs in and practical skills in a India remains a challenge. company environment. The to individuals who According to the India German model has been Skills Report 2021, only 45% successful in providing successfully complete a of India’s workforce has highly skilled workers to the received any kind of formal industry and has contributed training program. The training. In addition, there is a significantly to the country’s significant regional disparity economic growth. scheme aims to provide in the availability of skill training opportunities. States training to youth who such as Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh are either unemployed or have the highest number of training providers and underemployed. enrolled candidates, while states such as Jammu and • National Apprenticeship Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Arunachal Pradesh have The Habitat III New Urban Promotion Scheme the lowest. Agenda resonate with the (NAPS): This scheme In order to address these disparities, the Government best practices and sets up provides financial of India has initiated a number of measures. One a new urban horizon. The incentives to employers such measure is the creation of a state ranking system, which NUA 2016 also reassures who hire apprentices. aims to encourage states to improve their performance the skills development for The scheme aims to in skill development. The ranking is based on a number economic growth and equal promote apprenticeship of different factors, including the number of training opportunities. Empowering training and increase the providers, the number of certified candidates, and the women and girls, children number of apprentices in availability of infrastructure and resources for skill and youth, older persons, the country. training. persons with disabilities, • Deen Dayal Upadhyaya One of the global best practices in skill development indigenous peoples, local Grameen Kaushalya is the German model of dual communities, and those Yojana (DDU-GKY): This in vulnerable situations is scheme provides training crucial for effective urban and employment and territorial development opportunities to rural decision-making. Capacity- youth. The scheme aims development initiatives to provide training to that strengthen skills and youth who are poor and promote human rights and unemployed. antidiscrimination are needed According to the rankings of 2020, Maharashtra is to ensure their participation in the top-ranked state in terms of skill development, shaping governance processes followed by Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. Jharkhand, and engaging in dialogue. Nagaland, and Manipur are the lowest-ranked states. In India, the NSDM has launched various schemes for Capacity building activities the skilling of both the skilled of the new home owners and non-skilled workforce. can also have a significant Some of the schemes are: • Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY): April, 2023, Volume 24. No.1 - SHELTER 53

POLICY REVIEW impact on the success of In the US counties, for provide them with the neces- sary tools to improve their fi- affordable housing programs. example, a US$1 increase in nancial situation. In addition, skill development can lead to Capacity building activities university expenditures leads the creation of new businesses and job opportunities, which can include training on to an 89-cent increase in the can contribute to economic growth and development. financial management, home urban income. Richmond, maintenance, and community US offers free/subsidized building. By providing solar power and home energy individuals with the necessary efficiency programs, and the skills to manage their finances Richmond BUILD program CALL FOR INNOVATIVE POLICIES and maintain their homes, trains young individuals they can improve their quality in building trade skills to of life and ensure the long- install the equipment. Cooler Housing Policies have always been very sensitive term sustainability of the housing designs can reduce to market forces and social impact. Cost of materials and housing units. For example, energy consumption and implementation mechanism systemic impact on the local as part of inclusive planning, heat stress, especially for economy and the society have always been cited as the PMAY-Grameen and Biju- vulnerable populations. housing policy low-hanging fruits. The advancement in PakkaGhar in Odisha have These initiatives aim to technology, rate of adoption of digital governance model ensured the home owner gets lower energy costs, reduce and market-linked economic policies have reshaped the skill, learn Geo-tagging, greenhouse gas emissions, the affordable housing schemes across many policy get paid wages during and promote sustainable interventions. The housing policies in the new urban training and also self-build the economic growth. In China, order can create a multiplier effect through adoption of the house through construction Suzhou Industrial Park has following measures: education and training. The set up its own technical and programme helped build the vocational training colleges. community resilience during This has resulted in stronger COVID-19 impact. UNDP linkages between skills India State Odisha Office and supply and actual needs of Government of Odisha one the local industries as well of the leading the examples as boosting productivity of capacity building and and competitiveness of delivering housing promises the industrial park. These in cyclone affected and other measures were complemented disaster risk areas of Odisha. with talent attraction • The private and public The challenges were manifold: strategies such as housing sector can benefit from Use of local media, NSDM subsidies (World Cities Report, affordable housing qualification packs translated 2022). into local language materials The impact of skill devel- programs, having strong opment on the social and in housing construction, economic well-being of in- institutional mechanism dividuals is significant. Skill quality construction development can improve the and facilitatory self-confidence and self-es- awareness and the Digital teem of individuals, and it can regulations and policies interface are changing the in place; passive to active affordable • Pro-active regulatory and administrative housing policy-making. 54 HUDCO-HSMI Publication

POLICY REVIEW provisions of housing interactive apps and online Local and Regional policies; platforms. Finances in the Aftermath of COVID-19, Publications • Policy convergence CONCLUSION Office of the European Union, Luxembourg. efforts- linking social, In conclusion, skill development is critical for direct beneficiary promoting affordable housing and reducing poverty and schemes and upskilling create equal opportunity Government of Singapore in jobs and income growth. policies with the Housing Skill development programs (2021) ‘Skills future can provide individuals programmes; with the necessary skills to Singapore’, Skillfuture secure jobs and access better • Promotion of multi- housing options. Capacity Singapore, https://www. stakeholder partnerships building activities of the and local engagement; new home owners can also skillsfuture.gov.sg/, last and contribute to the success of affordable housing programs. accessed 25 October 2021. The private and public sector can benefit from affordable Heilakka, R. (2020) ‘How housing programs through • Creation of pool of job creation and economic upskilling could help cities skilled labour in growth. The National Urban the local economy. Livelihoods Mission and the rebuild after Coronavirus’, The construction National Skill Development and housing-related Mission in India are examples https://www. weforum. industries can create of successful programs job opportunities and that have integrated skill org/agenda/2020/11/how- contribute to economic development with affordable growth housing. upskillingcould-help-cities- REFERENCES: rebuild-after-coronavirus, last Chen, M. (2020) ‘COVID-19, accessed 8 November 2021. cities and urban informal Access to affordable housing workers: India in comparative Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana can improve the health and perspective’, The Indian 2014, (https://pmay-urban. well-being of individuals, Journal of Labor Economics. gov.in). which can lead to reduced healthcare costs and European Union (2021) The New Urban Agenda increased productivity. City 2030, UN Habitat (https:// governments have a range unhabitat.org/about-us/ of opportunities to improve new-urban-agenda). openness and engage with residents through connected World Urban Forum, 2022. and digital technologies. While e-government is World Cities Report 2022: often used for one-way Envisaging the Future of communication, there are Cities. innovative examples of cities using technology for active UN-Habitat (2011a) The citizen participation, such as Impact of The Global Financial Crisis on Housing Finance, UN-Habitat, Nairobi. April, 2023, Volume 24. No.1 - SHELTER 55

WATER WIVES FOR WATER PIPES Moving Towards Gender Equality in Context of G20 On a scorching hot summer day in an unknown village in western Maharashtra, the melodious tinkling of anklets caught my attention. I turned towards the direction of the sound and saw two frail women heading towards a water well. I enquired from them, as the only living being one could catch sight of on this hot day were the vultures flying in the sky. In return, the lady pointed towards the well. I asked them if they had to fetch water from this well often, and the same lady replied, “Both of us are married to the same man, and we must walk several miles here to fetch water for our family. We are the ‘paanibais’ (water wives).”It appalled me to see women being reduced to substitute of water pipes. This crisis of severe water shortage has put them at a higher risk of vulnerability. I inquired how the women got married to the same man. “I am named Sarita, which means ‘princess’, but I was never treated as one. Upon turning fifteen, my parents wed me off to an older, already married man belonging to a high caste. Soon after, I got pregnant. I could not carry heavy vessels of water anymore, so my husband married again and Sheela (pointing to the other woman) became the third wife.” told Sarita. Sheela never spoke a word. Staring at her, Sarita said, “Once she was the liveliest girl in her village, but on a fateful night, she was molested. Her parents married her off to the man willing to accept her husband, since he needed a younger paani bai.” Tears rolled down Sheela’s face as it reminded her of her traumatic childhood. I cradled her hand, and she placed her other hand over mine. Sheela finally spoke with teary eyes, “There is a river flowing by, merely 10 kms away from our village but all of the water supply is diverted somewhere else”. As the hissing of the vultures echoed in the sky, I saw the women walk towards the well, their two shadows merging into one. Returning to the bus awaiting me, I opened my research work and started drafting a chapter on the tales of Sarita and Sheela. My report highlights the irony of our cities, otherwise known as the ‘Engines of Growth’, using water meant for village people’s livelihoods and domestic consumption and returning it to rivers, polluted. Despite all the catchment areas of rivers and dams being built on these rivers being in rural areas, the bulk of water is supplied to cities due to the disparity between rural and urban areas. As the moon rose, I concluded the chapter with this observation− ‘There cannot be security of women without security of access to water.’ Katyayani Malhotra The writer is a 10th grade student of Birla Vidya Niketan School, Delhi. 56 HUDCO-HSMI Publication

POLICY REVIEW CITIES AND UNION BUDGET 2023-24 SOUMYADIP This commentary article analyses infrastructure assumes special CHATTOPADHYAY the provisions towards Urban significance. The “first budget ARJUN KUMAR India flagship schemes in the of Amrit Kaal (2022-2047)” current budget, and discusses has recognized the growth “The first budget of Amrit Kaal the key takeaways and policy potentials of Indian cities and (2022-2047) has recognized implications. is aimed to build ‘sustainable the growth potentials of cities for tomorrow’, with a Indian cities and is aimed to INDIAN CITIES roadmap for infrastructure build ‘sustainable cities for AS ENGINES OF financing and governance tomorrow’, with a roadmap ECONOMIC GROWTH reforms. for infrastructure financing and IN AMRIT KAAL governance reforms.” URBAN INDIA Indian cities with their FLAGSHIP SCHEMES Key Words: Union Budget, Flagship contribution of around two- The total Budget Estimate Programmes, Cities, CAPEX thirds of the GDP are expected (BE) available for urban Dr Soumyadip Chattopadhyay to play an instrumental role development (Ministry of ([email protected])is as the country’s engines of Housing and Urban Affairs Associate Professor, Visva-Bharati, economic growth. A majority (MoHUA)) has experienced Santiniketan and Visiting Senior Fellow, of these cities are hamstrung a slight drop from INR 76,549 IMPRI Impact and Policy Research by serious infrastructural crores in Financial Year (FY) Institute, New Delhi & Dr Arjun Kumar, issues and governance deficits. 2022-23 to INR 76,431 crores in ([email protected]) is Director, As per the recent World Bank FY 2023–24 of about INR 117 IMPRI. Study, our cities need an crores. The Revised Estimate investment of $840 billion (RE) for FY 2022-23 stood at over the next fifteen years. INR 74,545 crores. Although Investment requirement for the REs and BEs were quite basic urban services (e.g. close to each other, the actuals water supply, sewerage, waste for the financial year 2021-22 management, roads, street were stooping INR 1,06,840 lights, stormwater drainage) crores, owing to the PM is estimated at about $450 Awas Yojana – Housing for billion and another $300 All by 2022. This decline is million is for building mass attributed mostly to the thrust transits. So, strengthening and budget outlay given the city governments in previous years towards and having a budgetary Housing for All by 2022. provision for financing urban April, 2023, Volume 24. No.1 - SHELTER 57

POLICY REVIEW BUDGET - MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS (In ₹ crores) Centre’s Expenditure Actual Budget Revised Budget 2021-22 Estimate Estimate 2023-24 Gross Recoveries Receipts Net 2022-23 Total 2022-23 Total Total MRTS and Metro Projects Total Total PMAYU- 1. Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme 106840 76549 74545 76431 (CLSS) - I for Economically Weaker Section 23875 20401 23175 (EWS)/Lower Income Group(LIG) 23473 11221 Pradhan Mantri AwasYojna Urban (Total) 12000 0 0 Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana- National 28708 Urban Livelihood DAY- NULM 59963 28000 550 25103 Pradhan Mantri’s Street Vendors’s 794 900 0 Atmanirbhar Nidhi (PM - SVANIDHI) 433 AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation 297 150 468 and Urban Transformation) 6500 Smart Cities Mission - Mission for 7280 7300 8000 Development of 100 Smart Cities 8465 Smart Cities Mission – City Investment to 6526 6465 7665 Innovate, Integrate and Sustain (CITIIS) 334 Total- Smart Cities Mission 64 33 334 Swacch Bharat Mission Urban 8800 Source: https: www.indiabudget.gov.in 6587 6800 2000 8000 1951 2300 5000 Two flagship programmes of The AMRUT has received BE year, the SCM has an uptick the MoHUA – the Smart Cities for FY 2023-24 of INR 8,000 in RE for FY 2022-23, unlike in Mission (SCM) (Mission for crores (FY 2022-23: with BE Covid19 years. Development of 100 Smart of INR 7,300 crores & RE of Cities) and the Atal Mission INR 6,500 crores; FY 2021- The scheme for Metros and for Rejuvenation and Urban 22 with actual INR 7,280 Transformation (AMRUT) crores). The SCM also has MRTS, which has almost (Urban Rejuvenation Mission received BE for FY 2023-24 of – 500 Cities) – have bagged INR 8,000 crores (FY 2022-23: the entire amount as capital higher budgetary allocations with BE of INR 6,800 crores together from INR 14,100 & RE INR 8,800 crores; FY expenditure (CAPEX), has crores (BE) in 2022-23 and 2021-22 with actual INR 6,587 INR 15300 crores (RE) in 2022- crores). The component of witnessed a slight decline in 23 to INR 16000 crores (BE) City Investment to Innovate, for both in FY 2023-24 (actual Integrate and Sustain (CITIIS) the BE for FY 2023-24 at INR for FY 2021-22 was INR 13,868 has again received BE of INR crores). 334 crores like the last year. 23,175 crores as compared to As compared to the previous BE for FY 2022-23 which was INR 23,875 crores (RE for FY 2022-23 was INR 20,401 crores and actuals for FY 2021-22 was INR 23,473 crores). The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) has been allotted 58 HUDCO-HSMI Publication

POLICY REVIEW BE of INR 3596 crores for FY The budgetary allocations INR 468 crores (BE 2023-24) 2023-24 (BE & RE for FY 2022- for Swachh Bharat Mission (RE for FY 2022-23 was 433 23 was INR 4,710 crores). Urban (SBM-U) have more INR crores and actual for FY than doubled from INR 2,300 2021-22 was 297 INR crores). The Pradhan Mantri Awas crores (BE) in 2022-23 and INR Therefore, the DAY-NULM Yojana Urban (PMAY-U) has 2,000 crores (RE) in 2022-23 to budget can be seen shifting seen a decline in the BE for FY INR 5,000 crores (BE) in 2023- towards PMSVANIDHI, 2023-24 at INR 25,103 crores 24 (actuals for FY 2021-22 was albeit, with its limited focus as compared to BE for FY INR 1,951 crores). Earlier, on street vendors. However, 2022-23 which was INR 28,000 the SBM-U was financed by increase in budgetary crores (RE for FY 2022-23 was Rashtriya Swachhata Kosh – allocations under the DAY- INR 28,708 crores and Actuals Central & State component. NULM could be more for FY 2021-22 was INR Higher financial allocation impactful for the urban poor 59,963 crores). The scheme is is complemented with the engaged in the urban informal financed from Central Road provision for scientific sectors and their livelihoods and Infrastructure Fund, management of dry and wet and more so, as they are yet to having the Extra budgetary waste through the complete fully withstand the COVID19 resources (EBRs) component. transition from manhole to induced economic losses. machine-hole mode, a switch PMAY-Uhasfourcomponents- to mechanical desludging of Speaking of other centrally In-situ Slum Rehabilitation septic tanks and sewers in all (ISSR), Affordable Housing cities and towns. A greater sponsored schemes, Jal Jeevan emphasis has been given to Mission is also one such in Partnership (AHP), sanitation and mechanization scheme that sees an increase Beneficiary-led individual of such activities. house construction/ in its budgetary allocation OTHER SCHEMES from INR 60,000 crores (BE enhancement (BLC) (these 2022-23) to INR 70,000 (BE three are under centrally At the same time, the sponsored scheme) and Credit allocation towards Deendayal 2023-24). Antyodaya Yojana-National Linked Subsidy Scheme Urban Livelihood Mission NEW INDIA’S (CLSS), a central sector (DAY-NULM) has been INFRASTRUCTURE scheme, for Economically discontinued and has been AND CAPEX PUSH Weaker Section (EWS), Lower reduced to INR 0.01 crores, Income Group (LIG) and a number staggeringly low The main focus of this compared to the previous year’s Union Budget has Middle Income Group (MIG). year’s estimates (BE for FY been increased Capital The CLSS scheme has been 2023-24 was INR 900 crores discontinued altogether in and RE was INR 550 crores). Expenditure. With the objective to increase the share this Budget. There has been Nonetheless, the Prime of manufacturing in the GDP of a decline in the Budget for Minister’s Street Vendors’ PMAY-U as the Housing for Atmanirbhar Nidhi (PM India, the National Industrial SVANIDHI) sees a substantial Corridor Development All by 2022 target has been increase in its allocation from Programme (NICDP) is being met. However, following INR 150 crores (BE 2022-23) to the discontinuation of the implemented whereby 32 greenfield industrial smart CLSS scheme, problems of cities under 11 industrial lack of access to credit and affordability for the urban corridors are being developed poor bracketed in the EWS with world-class Plug-n-Play and LIG categories would infrastructure. The ‘Plug-n- only intensify. Play’ model has been put April, 2023, Volume 24. No.1 - SHELTER 59

POLICY REVIEW in place to avoid digging of setting up of a Rs 10,000 crore non-tax revenue in total roads every time a pipeline or per year Urban Infrastructure municipal revenue) for all the cables have to be laid down. Development Fund (UIDF) city governments registered under the aegis of the National declined from 51 per cent in It promotes planned Housing Bank (NHB) for the 2010-11 to 43 per cent in 2017- infrastructure where separate purpose of financing urban 18. This indicates the growing lines for communication, infrastructure. Funds under fiscal dependency of the city sewage, water, industrial the UIDF are expected to be governments, especially effluents, electricity and gas amassed through the use the Municipal Councils are laid all at once, preventing of priority sector lending and Nagar Panchayats, on re-digging and re-laying of shortfall with the specific higher levels of government roads. The National Industrial aim of creating urban for meeting their revenue Corridors have seen an infrastructure in Tier-2 and shortfalls. increase in its budgetary Tier-3 cities. allocation from INR 1500 Reforms in property tax crore (BE) in 2022-23 to INR This Budget has also governance and ring- 2000 crores (BE) in 2023-34. announced incentives fencing of user charges, as At the same time, the actual for improving the announced by the Finance expenditure was INR 1104 creditworthiness of the Minister, are, therefore, timely crores in 2021-22. city governments to enable interventions for improving them to access the capital the financial health of the In addition to this, the market for financing urban city governments. Property Hon’ble Finance Minister, in infrastructure. However, the Tax is the most important her speech, spoke of the scope finances of city governments urban local tax in India and of the impetus of PM Gati are in a grossly unsatisfactory its importance has increased Shakti National Master Plan state. As per the ICRIER (2019) in the post-GST period. for Multi-modal Connectivity, Report, municipal revenue However, with a contribution which will encompass remained stagnant at around of only 0.15 per cent to India’s seven engines for economic one per cent of GDP during GDP, the revenue collections transformation, seamless the period from 2007-08 to from property tax are multi-modal connectivity 2017-18 and the municipal significantly low. and logistics efficiency. own revenue as per cent of Proper implementation of GDP was only 0.43 per cent in Wide spread use of manual this scheme could address 2017-18. and paper-based systems of the poor state of logistics and property register; improper supply chains in the smaller Among the different categories valuation methods without cities and better connect them of city governments, any link to actual (market) with their larger counterparts, Municipal Corporations value of properties; inefficient and thus, push for planned contribute nearly 80 per tax collections and absence and balanced urbanisation. cent to India’s municipal of penal measures for own revenue owing to their delayed or non-payment of strong economic base and property taxes coupled with IMPROVING THE the capacity to mobilise lack of grievance redressal mechanisms have seriously FINANCIAL HEALTH OF sufficient tax and non-tax undermined the revenue generation potentials of CITIES revenues. Importantly, the property tax in India. One of the key takeaways revenue autonomy ratios of the Union Budget is the (proportion of the tax and 60 HUDCO-HSMI Publication

POLICY REVIEW Moreover, the city on municipal services by 94 cities under the Smart governments in India hardly encouraging accountability Cities and AMRUT programs, utilize user fees to cover even and transparency of the city only 59 per cent received an operation and maintenance governments to their citizens. investment grade rating or costs of basic services mainly due to narrow political An analysis of crime rates above in 2018. In the last four compulsions, e.g., fear of given by the National Crime years, out of 28 Municipal losing votes and peoples’ Records Bureau (NCRB) Corporations securing dissatisfaction with the suggests that cities in India investment-grade credit municipal services. The fare poorly in terms of safety ratings, only five cities issued recent World Bank Report of living. The World Air municipal bonds. Apart from highlighted that water Quality Report, prepared by the weak financial health and sewerage utilities in Swiss organisation IQAir, of the city governments, Indian cities recovered, is an index that listed 35 several structural bottlenecks on average, only 55% of Indian cities with the worst including non-transparent their operating costs in air quality tag for 2021, and financial management, recent years. So, successful little has changed since then. absence of specific operationalization of the With respect to the ease of laws for addressing the budgetary announcements doing business, India ranks insolvency of the cities, remains a huge challenge for 63rd across the world among over-collateralisation and Indian cities. 190 countries. Of late, the absence of secondary markets climate change induced constrain the municipal bond risks including cyclones, market in India. The Fifteenth Finance flooding, heat waves and Commission’s grant so on have made the Indian While it reemphasizes cities vulnerable due to their the need for greater fiscal conditionalities in the form of location and diversity of notification of floor rates for geography. Mainstreaming autonomy of the city property tax and subsequent climate change mitigation governments, it is equally linking of property tax and adaptation measures in collections with the growth urban planning and policy necessary to build their frameworks is critical. capacities to manage of states’ own GSDP lay Therefore,we need regional commercial debt financing strong foundations for the planning with active financial accountability of involvement of empowered in a meaningful, effective city governments. and transparent manner. municipalities. In addition, Indian Cities urgently need it requires overhauling the current practices, at a much an integrated policy and regulatory environment higher scale as envisioned to improve revenue in this year’s budget. In fact, the success of these reforms PROMISING YET mobilization and to access CONCERNING and leverage public as well is dependent on garnering as private funds for financing sufficient and sustained public This Union Budget has a and political support at the renewed thrust for municipal urban infrastructure on a bond issuances. However, city levels. Equally important municipal bonds accounted sustainable basis. for less than one-tenth of the is to empower the city total commercial debt raised In essence, Indian cities are governments to impose taxes by the city governments undoubtedly the largest and fees and to strengthen during 2011-18. Out of the drivers of economic growth in the linkages between local the 21stCentury, but not at the taxes and local expenditures cost of inequity and lack of April, 2023, Volume 24. No.1 - SHELTER 61

POLICY REVIEW inclusivity. With an increasing HUDCO-SHELTER-April22. Soumyadip Chattopadhyay population and an expanding html and Arjun Kumar. 2020. Not economy, actions must be such a smart move after all. undertaken to enable the Soumyadip Chattopadhyay Analysis. The Pioneer. 13 country to urbanise. During and Arjun Kumar. 2021. March 2020. https://www. the timeline of the Amrit Kaal, AatmaNirbhar Cities & d a i l y p i o n e e r. c o m / 2 0 2 0 / rethinking and prioritizing Union Budget 2021- How columnists/not-such-a- urban policies and practices is does the Union Budget fare smart-move-after-all.html urgently required to facilitate in addressing Challenges of growth with inclusiveness Cities amidst the Pandemic towards New India @ 2047. and towards Transforming Soumyadip Chattopadhyay Urban India?. The Urban and Arjun Kumar. 2019. World. Volume 14, Number Financing urban projects. REFERENCES 3, July-September, 2021. Analysis. The Pioneer. 20 Regional Centre for Urban July 2019. https://www. Soumyadip Chattopadhyay & Environmental Studies d a i l y p i o n e e r. c o m / 2 0 1 9 / and Arjun Kumar. 2022. Cities (RCUES), All India Institute columnists/financing-urban- and Budget 2022-23 towards of Local Self Government projects.html India@100 in 2047. Insights. IMPRI Impact and Policy (AIILSG), Mumbai. Soumyadip Chattopadhyay Research Institute, New Delhi. h t t p s : / / w w w. a i i l s g . o r g / and Arjun Kumar. 2019. h t t p s : / / w w w. i m p r i i n d i a . pdf/RCUES_AIILSG_ Tapping the revenue potential com/insights/budget-cities- Mumbai_The%20Urban%20 of property tax in India. pandemic/ Wo r l d _ Q u a r t e r l y % 2 0 Perspectives. Ideas for India. 23 October 2019. https:// Soumyadip Chattopadhyay Publcation_%20July- w w w. i d e a s f o r i n d i a . i n / and Arjun Kumar. 2022. September%202021.pdf topics/macroeconomics/ Affordable Urban Housing tapping-the-revenue- and Budget 2022–23: A Reality Soumyadip Chattopadhyay potential-of-property-tax-in- Check. Economic & Political and Arjun Kumar. 2021. india.html WEEKLY. Vol. 57, Issue No. 21, The rhetoric vs reality of 21 May, 2022. https://www. ‘atmanirbhar’ cities. Analysis. Cities and Union Budget 2023- e p w. i n / j o u r n a l / 2 0 2 2 / 2 1 / The Pioneer. 18 March 2021. 24. Panel Discussion. The State commentary/affordable- https://www.dailypioneer. of Cities – #CityConversations. urban-housing-and-budget- com/2021/columnists/ IMPRI #WebPolicyTalk. 7 2022%E2%80%9323.html the-rhetoric-vs-reality-of—- February 2023. https://www. atmanirbhar—-cities.html impriindia.com/event/cities- budget-2023-24/ Arjun Kumar. 2022. Soumyadip Chattopadhyay and Arjun Kumar. 2020. Urbanization, Housing and Smart city making in India: Union budget 2020 and Household Amenities in India the way forward. Expert https://www.indiabudget. Speak. Observer Research gov.in/ and China. Shelter. Volume 23, Foundation, New Delhi. h t t p s : / / w w w. o r f o n l i n e . Number 1, April 2022. Human org/expert-speak/smart- IMPRI’s 3rd Annual Series of city-making-in-india-union- Settlement Management budget-2020-and-the-way- Thematic Deliberations and forward-61933/ Institute (HSMI), Housing Analysis of Union Budget and Urban Development 2023-24 | Feb 2- 7, 2023 | Corporation (HUDCO), #IMPRI #WebPolicyTalk New Delhi. https://hudco. org.in//writereaddata/EB/ h t t p s : / / w w w. i m p r i i n d i a . HUDCO-SHELTER-April22/ com/union-budget-2023/ 62 HUDCO-HSMI Publication

CASE STUDIES RESPONSIVE GOVERNANCE THROUGH ACTION ORIENTED PUBLIC LISTENING DR. P.B. SALIM The case study from West Bengal INTRODUCTION TO DEBMAY CHATTERJEE presents an e-Governance THE PROJECT AMITJOTI BHATTACHARJI initiative, which works on the MAINAK MUKHERJEE principle of action-oriented The Monitoring of public listening. The project “The e-Governance initiative has already handled more than Programme Implementation works on the principle of action- 1.3 million grievances online, oriented public listening. The with around 96 percent disposal. and Grievance Cell, set project has already handled more Moreover, the project has helped than 1.3 million grievances online, in reaching to nearly 6.0 million up in West Bengal in June with around 96 percent disposal. people, providing them with Moreover, the project has helped livelihood options including food, 2019, is aligned with the in reaching to nearly 6.0 million shelter, and travel assistance people, providing them with during the COVID-19 pandemic. United Nations’ Sustainable livelihood options including food, Through this project, people shelter, and travel assistance lodge public grievances, and they Development Goals, during the COVID-19 pandemic.” pass through an incisive analysis leading to identification in gaps which envisage promoting Keywords: Action-oriented listening, in policies and service delivery inclusiveness, Citizen centric governance, bottlenecks. The data analytics sustainable development Participatory governance, Convergence are shared with policymakers at sufficiently higher levels in and improving well-being Dr. P.B. Salim, IAS, ([email protected]) administration to aid them in is Secretary, Monitoring & Coordination, designing need based micro- of the people. The project’s CMO, West Bengal schemes and large-scale public Mr. Debmay Chatterjee, (c.debmay@gmail. outreach programs. Enhancing main objective is to create com) is Joint Secretary, Chief Minister’s people’s access to the government Office, West Bengal substantially, 3561 Bangla a transparent, accountable, Mr. Amitjoti Bhattacharji, Sahayata Kendras have been set ([email protected]) is Senior up across the state, providing and responsive environment Deputy Secretary, Chief Minister’s Office, citizens a comprehensive West Bengal platform for people to interact for public services delivery Mr. Mainak Mukherjee ([email protected]) with the government. is Senior Technical Director / Scientist-F, system steering the State National Informatics Centre Government’s multiple public welfare schemes for the larger benefit of its people. Through this project, people lodge public grievances and they pass through an incisive analysis leading to identification in gaps in policies and service delivery bottlenecks. The data analytics are shared with policymakers at sufficiently higher levels in administration to aid them in designing need based micro- schemes and large-scale public outreach programs. Enhancing people’s access to the government substantially, April, 2023, Volume 24. No.1 - SHELTER 63

CASE STUDIES 3561 Bangla Sahayata Kendras time. (b) Enhancement of have been set up across the state, providing citizens a Drifting from the traditional e-Literacy at all comprehensive platform for development paradigm, the people to interact with the State Government conceived hierarchical levels in government. this 2-fold ICT-driven project The e-Governance initiative for action-oriented public government, especially works on the principle listening. A robust back-end of action-oriented public user interface connecting 53 the grassroots; and listening (Figure 1). The departments at the state level project has already handled with 23 Civil Districts, 6 Police (c) Enablement of e- more than 1.3 million Commissionerate, 28 Police Presence of Government grievances online, with Districts, and 4505 sub-offices Departments. around 96 percent disposal. at the district level has been Moreover, the project has developed under constant Constant monitoring of helped in reaching to nearly vigilance and supervision of 6.0 million people, providing the highest administrative progress has resulted in them with livelihood options authority in the State. With including food, shelter, and emerging technologies as re-engineering of existing travel assistance during the a backbone, this e-Gov COVID-19 pandemic. initiative has significantly processes, deletion of More than what statistics reduced service-delivery time reveals, the project continues and has greatly enhanced redundant steps and to enjoy its status as a seminal the government’s regulatory government initiative, flexible capabilities. The project has adoption of more citizen- enough to adapt to the also successfully executed the changing needs of the people catalytic role in: friendly practices initiated as well as government’s willingness to prioritize by concerned departments public welfare from time to sometimes. Sometimes, however, they were spearheaded by the Office of the Hon’ble Chief minister, ushering in necessary changes in both policy and implementation frameworks. The ICT-driven innovation has made it possible for the (a) ICT infrastructure government machinery to development across the reach out to the citizens who province; might have been excluded so far from the development process. It is a scalable and Fig 1: e-Governance Module for action-oriented listening replicable model that offers opportunities for other governments seeking to improve the quality of life of their citizens, ensuring positive impact and outcomes in their lives. The web application has enabled a person to lodge grievances with ease  anywhere and anytime (24x7) following the whole of government and whole of society. Citizens can lodge a 64 HUDCO-HSMI Publication

CASE STUDIES grievance via BSKs, phone, ease of monitoring and resolving authorities. SMS, or email to address their review. Accordingly, grievance issues. • OTP-based two-factor categories were defined and mapped to the department/ • To ensure user authentications for district, and relevant sub- convenience, accessing the portal offices created under each multiple channels of provide convenience and Head of the Department communication are in security to users. (HoD). A senior official had place with several closer • Role-based functionality been earmarked as Nodal and data access for access points to make better management in Officer coordinating with redressing grievances. comprehensiveness of the Cell and Sub-Offices. To reach of faceless services, standardize the Management including Online Information System (MIS) services, Pull/Push SMS, • Testimonials on various Reports, 11 closure reasons facets of grievance Email, and a dedicated redressal are uploaded as were defined, and the HoD good practices and easily Helpdesk. accessible for replication must mandatorily select one in different governance • It is portable across the domains. to redress a grievance along with remarks. browsers and it provides a system-generated To ensure active participation unique registration of the HoDs, weekly auto- number for each • Mandatory feedback generated MIS was triggered grievance. Grievance before disposing to them, with colour coding tracking facility by of grievance and and appropriate flagging. The complainant name/ classification of pendency tacker module was mobile no./ lodged date disposed grievance introduced to provide a gist of etc. is another feature of for undertaking the portal. GPR and providing all pending grievances for less • Seamless data implementation level than seven days, 7-15 days, transmission among suggestions. 15-30 days, and more than 30 the administrative units Making public service days. To evaluate the quality delivery more inclusive and (Depts. / Offices/ Sub- transparent, this e-governance of grievance resolution, initiative has been working Offices). with the motto, “No one left outbound calls were made out, No one left unheard.” • Automatic triggering to complainants to obtain of SMS to stakeholders, including status updates. feedback. Gaps in service delivery were identified and • Seamless integration of mitigated with the help of a wide array of modern ICT technologies - the BEGINNINGS periodical grievance disposal Web, SMS Gateway for The initial study primarily Auto Notifications, Data involved collecting data on indexes and routine quality Analytics & AI-driven grievances from various silos trend analysis. and defining the problem verification of grievances statement. Grievances related to different services and disposed by authorities. schemes were classified based on descriptions and concerned Based upon set parameters on grievance redressal, administrative review • Dynamic color-coded meetings are conducted with dashboard facilitating the heads of the departments April, 2023, Volume 24. No.1 - SHELTER 65

CASE STUDIES to ensure quality in disposal (BSKs), Call Centres, e-Mail complainant. The grievances of grievances. communications etc. Once are then classified, disposed the particular grievance is and archived for further use. MANAGING CHANGE deciphered and it is found that At every step of grievance some information is missing, redressal, a status update is In development parlance, then an outbound call is provided to the petitioner any change is liable to be met made from the Cell to record through SMS. with intransigence. In the relevant data. The grievance initial stages of its roll out, is forwarded to the concerned The archived grievances stakeholders hesitated to use Head of Department/District are used for data analytics. the new system because of Magistrate as the case may Inputs from the analysis initial apprehension about be. The HoDs, based on are used to design further the grievance redressal the nature and category of outreach initiatives like mechanism. Various grievances, forward them to Duare Sarkar, wherein the campaigns were undertaken the concerned sub-offices. services with the most gaps to reach a more extensive The sub-office contacts in delivery mechanism, along section of society. The project’s the applicant, resolves the with flagship schemes of the resilience during crises like grievance and submits the government, are taken up COVID-19, and super cyclone Action Taken Report (ATR) to in a camp mode at citizens’ YAAS, the widely publicized the HoDs. The HoDs review doorsteps (Figure 2). success stories, newspaper the ATRs; if the ATR meets testimonials, extensive the internal parameters which TOWARDS SUSTAIN- outreach campaigns, and the show satisfactory resolution ABLE HABITAT continuous feedback helped of grievances, they forward win confidence of the people. it to the grievance cell. It is Implementing a programme The work to align 4505 at this point that the team for sustainable habitat administrative units under at the grievance cell makes through grievance monitoring different departments to the another outbound call to involves following key steps. mechanism of expeditious the complainant to assess grievance redressal was in the quality of the grievance 1. Define the scope and itself a humongous task. and obtains feedback of the objectives of the Gradually, acceptance of the programme: The goals grievance redressal reports Figure2: Process flow of Programme Implementation & Grievance Handling highlighting key inputs, policy prescriptions, and the direct supervision of the Hon’ble Chief Minister helped to unfreeze the bureaucratic inertia and bring traction helped to set the ball roll. WORK-FLOW The e-governance system enable scitizens to voice their concerns through many different avenues such as the Bangla Sahayata Kendras 66 HUDCO-HSMI Publication

CASE STUDIES should be specific, updates on the status First, the Cell established measurable, achievable, of their grievances. A a process for collecting relevant, and time-bound mandatory outbound and analysing data using (SMART). For example, call is made to record the appropriate tools and defining the focus areas applicant’sfeedback and techniques. This involved of a programme like suggestions. collecting data from multiple sustainable housing, sources like feedback, ensuring access to 6. Monitor and evaluate surveys, and administrative adequate housing for all, records besides the existing creating opportunities the programme: Monitor grievance dataset. The for education, welfare next step was to clean and schemes, etc. and evaluate to ensure organize the data for analysis. Subsequently, statistical and the objectives are met. analytical techniques were used to identify patterns and Starting from data trends in the data. Finally, these insights were used for collection, categorization decision-making as policies were based on evidence and 2. Identify the stakeholders: of grievances received, data rather than intuition or anecdotal evidence. Identify the target focusing on the response stakeholders who time, geographical will be affected by the spread, age group programme and those concentration, etc., to who will be involved in identify a pattern in the its implementation. data set. 3. Establish a unit to 7. Communicate results: design the blueprint: Communicate the results However, data-driven The MPI&GC is to relevant stakeholders, policymaking also carefully directly responsible policymakers, and considers privacy, ethics, for coordinating the citizens to build data quality, and effective resolution process of transparency and communication and grievances, identifying accountability. This collaboration among gaps, introducing policy includes highlighting stakeholders. It is not a one- prescriptions, and successful initiatives, size-fits-all solution and developing programmes sharing best practices, is therefore tailored to the to address the root cause and addressing areas specific needs and goals of the of the grievances and where improvements are state Government. create an impact. needed. The objectives for undertaking an analytical study of the 4. Train the team: Train FINDINGS flagship programme are: (i) all the stakeholders faster distribution of benefits; responsible for handling Data-driven policy-making is (ii) streamlining of the existing grievances to relate to a process of making informed processes; (iii) ensuring the overall purpose of decisions based onanalysis direct benefit transfer; and achieving the bigger of data. It draws meaningful (iv) documentation and goal. information out of different dissemination of success data sets that have emerged stories. 5. Establish a feedback from the system. In this way it has been helping the mechanism: To allow policymakers make informed and evidence-based decisions. stakeholders and This data-driven analysis involved steps as follows: complainants to receive April, 2023, Volume 24. No.1 - SHELTER 67

CASE STUDIES • Collection of data from older data to solve current that 40% of the grievances various sources; challenges. The analyst related to Kanyashree Scheme could draw conclusions from belonged to 5 districts of • Data analysis; the disposed data set by the state (Figure 3) . 3 major • Modelling; selecting samples. Disposed grievance categories covering • Data interpretation; and homogeneous grievances around 65% of the grievances • Data presentation. were analysed thoroughly, were delay in sanctioning The analysis can be conclusions were drawn, amount post successful further broken down into aiding in prescribing policy verification, technical issues subcategories like statistical and implementation level during form submission, and and diagnostic analysis changes. understanding the eligibility of closed grievances. The Around 0.6 million grievances criteria. Again, study of descriptive analysis drew received against 21 flagship the Khadya Sathi Scheme insights from past data by programmes were carefully revealed that nearly half of re-modelling it in ways analysed. The grievances the grievances pertained to that would make it more were further categorized only 4 districts indicating meaningful. Department- into sets of 3-5 districts, issues with the delivery wise or district-wise study where such grievances mechanism in the concerned of grievances presented majorly were concentrated. districts. 3 major grievance a synoptic overview. The Furthermore, a detailed categories constituting over diagnostic study similarly study of grievances on each 80% of grievances were: identified patterns in programme was undertaken grievance data. It was to reveal significant reasons • Not receiving benefits instrumental for analysts of service delivery falling under the scheme post use patterns embedded with behind citizens’ expectations. application; For example, it was found • Understanding the application process; and Fig 3: Grievance Analysis of the Rupashree Scheme 68 HUDCO-HSMI Publication

CASE STUDIES Lack of HOOGHLY, understanding PASCHIM regarding the MEDINIPUR, scheme procedure PURBA 23% MEDINIPUR, Benefits not Rest of the PURULIA received even districts 41% 59% after considerable period 77% Fig 4: Analysis of Grievances of Artist Pension Fig 5: District-wise distribution of Grievances • Requesting an increase the concerned authorities to more traction is needed, in the amount funded by refine the implementation like identifying gaps and the financial institution. process. designing strategies to address these gaps, engaging In line with the change ALIGNMENT WITH SDGs with stakeholders to ensure request proposals coming out that the monitoring process is of the field, the cell suggested The SDGs are 17 global goals transparent, accountable, and from time to time, changes the United Nations adopted participatory. in the policy framework in 2015 as part of the 2030 and implementation, varied Agenda for Sustainable Many challenges were from; changing the eligibility Development. These goals faced in implementing new criteria, simplification of cover many areas: poverty, programme or modifying an application form, increasing health, education, gender existing one: budget allocation, organizing equality, climate action, special outreach camps, and sustainable cities and 1. Inequality and Poverty: reducing paperwork, and so communities. The United on. Nations has established Addressing inequality a global SDG monitoring framework, which includes and providing essential 232 indicators used to measure progress toward achieving services require targeted the SDGs. The framework is Artist Pension Scheme for designed to adapt to national interventions that the year 2020-22 contexts and allows countries to select arrows most relevant prioritize the needs to their specific circumstances. It was found that 4 districts of marginalized and SDG monitoring also involves accounted for nearly 41% of tracking progress toward vulnerable segments of achieving the SDG targets the total grievances, wherein and identifying areas where the population. the maximum number of This project ensured that pension benefits pending grievances were related for over 0.5 million eligible citizens were sanctioned in to non-receipt of benefits a record time through well- geared inter-departmental after application signalling coordination. implementation level issues (Figures 4 & 5). The findings were shared with April, 2023, Volume 24. No.1 - SHELTER 69

CASE STUDIES 2. Lack of Infrastructure, of grievances on livelihood the State government (SDG pensions were received, 3) to over eight thousand Limited resources: enquired through field-level beneficiaries. Ensuring offices, and were taken up Launching new with the Department of Social equitable access to education Welfare, which ensured direct programmes often financial benefit to over 0.5 (SDG 4), this project facilitated million aged, widow, and involves enormous specially-abled beneficiaries by addressing over eleven across this state (SDG 1). The costs. Hence mobilizing Khadyasathi and other food- thousand applications on related schemes received existing available around twenty-one thousand various educational initiatives grievances resolved within resources optimally record time (SDG 2) by of the State government, such the Departments of Food becomes critical. and Supply. Shelter-related as Kanayshree (scholarship applications for over fifty All the BSKs are running thousand families (SDG and financial support for in existing infrastructure 2) have been ensured by girls for further studies), like district offices, primary the Department of Disaster Sikshasree (Educational health care centres, libraries, Management and Housing Scholarship for social and etc. The data entry operators and Panchayat & Rural economically backward hired provided employment Development. This Project communities), Aikyashree opportunities in the state. aided in the successful (Educational scholarships implementation of universal 3. Resistance to change: health coverage under the to students from minority “Sasthya Saathi” scheme of communities), Swami Addressing resistance to Fig 6: Gender Parity in Grievances Vivekananda Scholarship ( change requires effective for Higher Education), etc. communication and amongst others. To promote engagement strategies gender equality(SDG 5), this built and implemented project redressed around at the ground level to three thousand grievances support the programmes. regarding gender-based The success of arguably domestic violence to curtail one of the most extensive all forms of atrocities against public outreach campaigns speaks volumes about the effectiveness of communication right at the ground level. The alignment with SDGs can be seen from the following: Applicants get status updates on their grievance at each level of redressal procedure through SMS/ voice calls to ensure transparency in the grievance disposal process upholding its democratic legitimacy and earning public trust (SDG 16.5 & 6).Through this Project, vast numbers 70 HUDCO-HSMI Publication

CASE STUDIES women (Figure 6). It has level gaps, vis-à-vis the grievances at the also successfully handled grassroots; and roughly eight thousand MIS in the conventional grievances relating to women’s welfare schemes of grievance redressal h) The evaluation indicated the state government, such as Kanyashree (scholarship and system; certain challenges like financial support for girls or further studies) and Rupashree d) 45% and 63% of over-dependence of (Financial aid against child marriage), amongst others. complaints come citizens on system and, This project facilitated respectively from women with rising expectations, hundreds of women in getting benefits under the and adult members of people’s tendency to “Lakshmir Bhandar” Scheme (monthly financial assistance the families. It endorses lodge grievances on for basic household needs). Through Bangla Sahayata the level of acceptance very simple or personal Kendra’s (BSKs), this project ensured service delivery and trust people have issues. at the grassroots at zero service charges. The outreach shown in the system. The project has helped campaign, “Duare Sarkar,” widened the scope of public Women’s enthusiastic women access public services service delivery to all at their doorsteps for all government participation in schemes through the single-window flagship welfare schemes (SDG 10). such as the ‘Kanyashree, platform without taking the IMPACT ‘Rupashree’ and pain of visiting multiple field Evaluation Study confirms educational scholarships offices. Field survey and data social and institutional impact of the initiative in following is aligned with the analysis revealed that women ways: observation above; have voiced 45% of the total a) Reducing bureaucratic inertia in service delivery; e) Massive public response grievances lodged. Moreover, in micro schemes and b) Reducing need for outreach programmes 67% of service requests and multiple visits to public formulated based on offices by citizens; policy prescriptions of grievances originated from this Cell endorses the c) Benefit of large-scale credibility and efficacy of rural areas,33% grievances data analysis through this initiative; ICT-enabled system to from urban areas. Social pinpoint implementation category-wise grievance distribution shows a uniform pattern, with 52% being f) The study recommended general caste, 20% from SC the Cell’s existing framework of using & ST, and 28% from other grievance inputs for policy re-engineering Backward classes. and transformation of governance to make The project has successfully the project effective and established a concerted and sustainable in the long coordinated effort of 4505 run; public Institutions under a single platform for delivering g) As an extension of public service in a responsive, accountable, and time-bound manner throughout the state. the Public Grievance During the first 6 months of its inception, the cell received Redressal System, around 30,897 grievances. With increased publicity and Bangla Sahayata Kendras awareness, the figure reached have been successfully bringing out to the fore April, 2023, Volume 24. No.1 - SHELTER 71

CASE STUDIES Fig 7: Socio- economic impact to highest state authorities over public service delivery problems, doing away with ‘come tomorrow” syndrome that may be present in some corners of bureaucracy. The project has been evolving since its inception incorporating necessary changes in key systems. REFERENCES Action-oriented’ Listening: People’s Voice and Policy Choice: A Report, Pratichi (India) Trust, p.4, Nov. 2021. to 9,49,840 in the year2020.The in its comprehensiveness. Action-oriented’ Listening: initiative has come up with People’s Voice and Policy policy prescriptions helping It works on “Whole- Choice: A Report, Pratichi the government formulate (India) Trust, p.57, Nov. 2021. micro-schemes, including of-the-Government” ‘Duare Sarkar’ (Government approach under the highest at doorstep),‘Duare administrative authority “Enabling Responsive Ration’ (Public Distribution System at doorstep), (the Hon’ble Chief Minister). Governance through ‘Paray Samadhan’ (supra- local problem resolution), Grievance narratives, Grievance Resolution”- ‘Pathashree’ (undertaking road construction/ repairing inputs, and feedback are e-Governance Bringing simultaneously across the State), Sneher Paras (Special constructively used for Citizens, Industry and assistance for stranded migrants during COVID 19 undertaking government Government Closer, lockdown) and many others (Figure 7). process re-engineering (GPR) Compendium of of different flagship schemes e-Governance Initiatives. of the State Government. Authors: 1. Dr. P.B. Salim, Quite a number of micro- IAS, Secretary, Monitoring schemes have been conceived & Coordination, 2. Shri to include persons who have Amitjoti Bhattacharji, Deputy been excluded. Set service Secretary, Chief Minister’s level with an inbuilt alert SMS Office, West Bengal, 3. facility, pendency checker, Shri. Mainak Mukherjee, SUMMING UP grievance status update Senior Technical Director/ An online portal to redress to citizens, and feedback Scientist-F, National public grievances is nothing ensures transparency and Informatics Centre new in the parlance of present- accountability at every day digital governance level of service delivery ACKNOWLEDGEMENT worldwide. But the Public mechanism. We are indebted to the Pratichi (India) Trust for the title of the Grievance Monitoring Through “Bangla Sahayata present paper. Kendras” people can connect Portal of the State is unique 72 HUDCO-HSMI Publication

CASE STUDIES URBAN PLANNING AND BIODIVERSITY – A CASE OF BHOPAL DR. SHUBHASHISH Urban development Planning The City is situated in hilly BANERJEE and biodiversity share a close terrain sloping downwards DR. KSHAMA interrelationship with each other in north and south-east PUNTAMBEKAR and are two facets contesting the directions. The spread of the same land. It is a challenge for City is guided by the hillocks ”The threats to this biodiversity the administration and planning of varying altitudes situated are mainly due to urban growth authorities to maintain a balance in the north-west and the as encroachment of land for between them. Bhopal, the south-west portion of the city, urban growth and developments capital city of Madhya Pradesh shaping the morphological over the catchment areas have is blessed with an abundance of character of the city. These started affecting the water bodies. water and vegetation within the hillocks form a continuous Sprawling agricultural activities, urban area. This Case Study belt from Singarcholi up to avifauna affected by pollution highlights the need for protection the Vindhyachal range. The and lack of proper & effective of biodiversity in sustainable hillocks can be classified in management mechanisms are urban development and the various orders depending equally detrimental.” collective efforts of the people and upon their altitude and administration in conserving the geographic continuity, Keywords: Urban Planning, biodiversity, riches. ranging from high altitudes Bhopal, Sustainable Development with moderate slopes to INTRODUCTION gradual slopes with more or Dr. Shubhashish Banerjee (banerjee.tncp@ less flat lands. The major soil gmail.com) is an architect planner, and Bhopal, the capital city of types are clayey and loamy the Joint Director, Town and Country Madhya Pradesh (India), is soil. Deccan trap basalt and Planning, presently posted as deputy located at an average elevation Vindhyan sandstone are the Secretary, Govt of Madhya Pradesh, of 427 meters (1401 ft) on hilly main geological formations Department of Urban Development and terrain within the Malwa found in Bhopal. The Housing. He is also the Chairman ITPI, MP Plateau (23 16’N, 77 22’E). topographical characteristics Chapter and National Council Member, This City is well connected of Bhopal can be described as ITPI. with all other major cities of follows: Dr. Kshama Puntambekar (kshama@ India by rail, road and air. spabhopal.ac.in) is an architect planner, The city has a Municipal 1st order Singarcholi (Manwa and is working as faculty in Department area (administrative area) of Bhand), Lalghati, Idgah, of Urban and regional Planning,School of 298 square kilometers and a and Fategarh situated to the Planning and Architecture, Bhopal. population of 1,795,648 (as north of the upper lakeat per the 2011 census). high altitudes, with moderate slopes; 2nd order Shyamla, Dharampuri and Arera Hills April, 2023, Volume 24. No.1 - SHELTER 73

CASE STUDIES are situated south-east of Water bodies and green the City is an asset for its rich upper lake at medium altitude cover are under constant bio-diverse character. The but have steeperslopes, threat of urbanization. lakes and the hills together slopes as high as 35%, and Suitable development control provide a huge open space, undulating terrain; regulations are required to which acts as lungs for the safeguard the eco-sensitive city. Around 12,000 ha of land 3rd order M.A.N.I.T. Char- areas of the cities. All water are covered by tree canopy. Imli, Shahpura, Kotra bodies and their catchment A wide variety of species of Sultanabad and other areas need to be protected, flora and fauna including 272 hillocks adjoining southeast and controlled development species of flowering plants, 92 of UpperLake have gradual allowed as per local area species of medicinal plants, slopes, with low intensity of plans under such mechanism, 102 species of birds, 16 species variations in topography; and which may provide for Green of mammals and 13 species of TDR. (BMP 2031). reptiles are found in Bhopal. 4th order Eastern parts of city The city of Bhopal displays The flora of the City includes comparatively plain without an abundance of biodiversity 78 rare species of flowering any significant variation, in fresh water and terrestrial plants and more than 600 gradually sloping towards ecosystems (Figure 1). The species of micro plants and the northeast, forming the reserved forest (Van Vihar) insects etc. (106 species of bowl shape landform. around the upper lake is a Macrophytes (belonging to 87 protected area rich in flora genera of 46 families of which 14 Bhopal is also known as and fauna. The topography of are rare species) and 208 species the “city of lakes” for an extensive presence of water Figure 1: Regional Map showing blue and green in Bhopal (Source: Draft bodies consisting of as many BMP 2031) as 33 lakes around the city. The total area of the water bodies is 3825 ha. The area to be conserved under the catchment is around 9415 ha. The Bada Talab or the Upper lake or Bhojtal was created by a massive earthen bund constructed across the river Kolans by Raja Bhoj of Dhar in the 11th century A.D. covering an area of 34.84 sq. km., having a catchment area of 371 sq. km. and full tank level is 508.17 m. It is the oldest man-made lake in Asia. The lake has high utilitarian value as it has rich biodiversity and is also an important source of drinking water for the city of Bhopal. 74 HUDCO-HSMI Publication

CASE STUDIES of Phytoplankton (comprising Ministry of Environment and with a challenge to maintain of 106 species of Chlorophyceae, it. With a reserve forest just at 37 species of Cyanophyceae, Forest, and Ministry of Water the boundary of the city with a 34 species of Euglenophyceae, continuous green corridor (18 27 species of Bacilariophyceae Resources; organisations identified tiger corridors)and and 4 species of Dinophyceae). birds’ migratory path, the city The fauna includes 105 species functional under them include experiences the coexistence of of Zooplanktons (Rotifera wildlife and humans without 41, Protozoa 10, Cladocera Lake Conservation Authority harming each other. 14, Copedoda 5, Ostracode 9, Coleoptera 11 and Diptera 25). (LCA), Environmental Planning initiatives of allocat- Fish fauna consists of 43 species ing the land on hills to insti- (natural and cultured), 27 Pollution and Coordination tutions like WALMI, MANIT, species of avifauna, 98 species of IIFM, Dronachaland city-lev- insects and more than 10 species Organisation (EPCO), el parks on the continuous of reptiles and amphibians spaces on the hill slopes have (including 5 species of tortoise)). Ecotourism Board; Special been effective in protecting This makes Bhopal a reservoir the landform and vegetation. of biodiversity with different created cells like Capital The situation is not so good in types of flora and fauna. the newly developed sprawls, (LBSAP Bhopal 2012) Project Authority (CPA), Bhoj they are facing concerns of high population density and Wetland Authority, Bhopal scanty vegetation absence of public parks. The approach of Municipal Corporation Environmental sensitive Plan- ning and sensible land use (BMC) and Town and Country planning will be the key to achieving the vision of ABCD Planning Organization (overall Biodiversity Conser- vation and Development). (TCPO). Consistent measures “Develop a sustainable rela- have been taken to protect tionship between people and nature by protecting and en- the natural assets of the hancing the biodiversity of Bhopal for the people and by city through the plantation, the people.” conservation of water bodies and development of city-level The threats to this biodiversity parks. are mainly due to urban Collective efforts of all growth as encroachment stakeholders will ensure the of land for urban growth sustainable growth of the city. and developments over the Under the Environmental catchment areas have started Sensitive Planning, the draft affecting the water bodies. Master Plan 2031 proposes Sprawling agricultural legal prescriptions for less activities, avifauna affected by or no development along pollution and lack of proper the upper lake with a 50 m & effective management buffer of no construction zone mechanisms are equally to protect the health of the detrimental. Discharge of catchment. Other water bodies untreated sewage into the like kerwa and hataikheda lakes and open areas utilized reservoirs, Kaliasot and as garbage dumps are found Kolans Nadi drainage to be the prime reason for the network spread from sehore spread of diseases like malaria, to Betwa Nadi, Ghodapachad dengue, etc. Plantations done and HalaliNadi in planning with singular species are also area have a 33 m of green belt. affecting city biodiversity. The unique feature of housing a national park in a municipal The administrative partners corporation area adds to the include various State green infrastructure of the city Ministries such as the April, 2023, Volume 24. No.1 - SHELTER 75

CHAUPAL PE CHARCHA: WASTE MANAGEMENT, TECHNOLOGY AND CIRCULARITY Dehradun Cantonment Board hosted the “Doon Cantt Swachhta Chaupal” on 3 and 4 February, 2023. This was a first time initiative in Uttarakhand that brought together waste management start-ups and companies, government officials, urban local bodies and NGOs on one platform. The theme of the event was Waste Management, Technology and Circularity and provided an opportunity to 51 entrepreneurs to exhibit their products to government officials who are looking for best available technologies to combat challenges of ever increasing waste. The Chaupal was supported by the Urban Development Directorate, Government of Uttarakhand and was organized in collaboration with Cantonment Board’s Knowledge Partner; Social Development for Communities (SDC) Foundation. Amongst the large number of attendees were Municipal Commissioners and Executive Officers from Urban Local Bodies who are spearheading the Swachh Bharat Mission initiatives, heads and members of Zila Panchayat, Gram Panchayat, CEOs and Members of Cantonment Boards, decisionmakers, elected representatives and NGOs working in the field of sanitation who learnt about new initiatives in the field of sanitation. Students from prestigious colleges and government training institutes were also present in large numbers. Several well-known national organizations such as NEPRA, Aterro, Recykal, Saahas, and prominent startups such as Padcare, Spruce Up and ShyanaEcounified participated in the Chaupal. One of the key highlights of the Chaupal was the launch of a “Mountain Oriented Swachhta Technology Challenge”. The Challenge is targeted at start-ups and students for designing a machine for picking legacy garbage from valleys & slopes in towns, tourist spots & across mountain states in India. The Doon Cantt Swachhta Chaupal was inaugurated by Chief Guest, Hon’ble Governor Uttarakhand, Lt Gen Gurmit Singh: PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, VSM (Retired). Hon’ble Minister of Urban Development, Government of Uttarakhand Shri Premchand Agrawal was the Chief Guest for the valedictory session. Hon’ble Minister of Agriculture, Soldier Welfare and Rural Development, Government of Uttarakhand Shri Ganesh Joshi presided over the closing ceremony. People present at the closing ceremony took a pledge to make Uttarakhand clean and beautiful, to segregate garbage from their homes, not to use single plastic and to associate at least five people with this campaign. Buoyed by the success of the inaugural Chaupal, Cantonment Board has decided to make this an annual affair. Anoop Nautiyal (The writer is the founder of Dehradun Cantonment Board’s Knowledge Partner, the Dehradun based not-for-profit organization; Social Development for Communities (SDC) Foundation). 76 HUDCO-HSMI Publication