Odisha to evaluate six welfare schemes worth Rs 780 crore

The studies will be undertaken in 2014-15 through third party independent agencies

The state finance department is mulling third party evaluation of six populist schemes to check its effectiveness and performance on ground level. These schemes have budgetary provision of nearly Rs 780 crore in the current fiscal.

“Based on the outlay, outreach and objective of various schemes being implemented by the state government, it is now contemplated to take up independent third party evaluation of social sector and economic sector schemes. The studies would be undertaken in 2014-15 through third party independent expert agencies by means of an open competitive bidding,” said Upendra Nath Behera, state additional chief secretary in a letter to departmental heads.

The schemes which have been identified to be evaluated are Mission Shakti (Rs 100 crore), Biju KBK, Gajapati O Kandhamal (Rs 148.50 crore), free bicycle schemes for BPL boys and girls of all category (Rs 135 crore), subsidy under agriculture policy (Rs 30 crore), Mo Kudia (Rs 150) and interest subvention to cooperative banks (Rs 215.89 crore).

The independent evaluation studies are aimed at providing unbiased research and evidence based views on the effectiveness of the schemes and impact on intended beneficiaries, critical gaps requiring midcourse correction and corrections in the implementation of the schemes and policy inputs, added Behera.

The suggestion to evaluate the scheme as a measure to check necessary leakages from state exchequer has come from the Programme Performance and Outcome Monitoring Unit (PPOMU), established under the state Finance Department.

The unit is currently engaged in monitoring Mid-Day meal scheme, deep bore well scheme and the project of building residential school for SC and ST students. Besides, it has carried out documentation of 26 flagship scheme of the state government and government's response to cyclone Phailin.

Before the start of the third party evaluation, the PPOMU has been entrusted with the task to develop a terms of reference for prospective bidder, said the finance secretary.