GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Session 1: Outcome-based Monitoring to Enhance Evidence-Based Implementation: Improving Efficacy of Government Schemes from Input-Based Budgeting to Outcome-Based Monitoring
Opening Remarks by Dr. Radha Ashrit, NCMEL 2024
Dr. Radha Ashrit commenced the inaugural session of NCMEL 2024 with a warm welcome to panelists and participants, introducing experts from various sectors. She highlighted the session's theme, "Outcome-based Monitoring to Enhance Evidence-Based Implementation," emphasizing DMEO’s efforts and the Ministry of Finance's collaboration in promoting best practices in CS/CSS. Dr. Ashrit set the stage by outlining the session's objectives: exploring the transition to outcome-based monitoring in states, discussing challenges, best practices, and stakeholder roles in improving government scheme effectiveness.
Dr. Vinod Kumar Paul, Inaugural Address
Dr. VK Paul underscored M&E's critical role in governance, focusing on the shift from Input-Based Budgeting to Outcome-Based Monitoring to maximize welfare through accountable resource allocation. He stressed tracking actual results and impacts of initiatives, emphasizing outcome-based budgeting's role in governance. Dr. Paul highlighted DMEO initiatives like OOMF and its integration into national frameworks for SDGs and Union Budget transparency, supporting scheme quality, iterative improvements, and SMART indicators.
Sh. Prashant Kumar, Views on SDG Alignment in Jharkhand
Sh. Prashant Kumar discussed translating ground-level outcomes into achieving SDGs in Jharkhand. He emphasized aligning departmental schemes with SDGs, covering 215 schemes across 13 departments. Challenges included real-time output updates, SDG indicator integration, and limited departmental utilization of outcome-based budgeting. He highlighted progress in integrating SDGs into schemes and plans to align more output indicators with SDG metrics.
Sh. Pankaj, Haryana's Journey in SDG-Aligned Budgeting
Sh. Pankaj detailed Haryana's journey aligning budgets with SDGs, increasing from 35% to over 90% alignment. SDG-linked monitoring frameworks enhanced policy impact assessments and interdepartmental collaboration, with increased stakeholder engagement. He emphasized data-driven budget refinements and outcome indices for sectoral improvements, illustrating SDG-linked frameworks' governance benefits.
Dr. Satya Priya Rath, Initiatives in Odisha for Outcome-Based Budgeting
Dr. Satya Priya Rath highlighted Odisha's initiatives in outcome budgeting and indicator measurement to enhance public spending efficiency. He detailed the shift from manual to automated processes and the integration of core budgets with SDGs across 27 departments. Implementation of quarterly monitoring and technical support for departments in defining indicators were key aspects, aiming for effective scheme implementation.
Sh. Sanjay Kumar, DG, DMEO, on Outcome-Based Monitoring
Sh. Sanjay Kumar emphasized DMEO's role in outcome-based monitoring to enhance accountability and transparency in public spending. He discussed OOMF's inception and its role in linking funds to achieved results, focusing on unit cost efficiency and resource optimization. Quality data's pivotal role in outcome monitoring and the proposal for publicizing achievement against targets were highlighted.
Sh. Guillermo Herrera Nimmagadda, Global Best Practices in Outcome-Based Monitoring
Sh. Guillermo presented global best practices in outcome-based monitoring, emphasizing data's role in accurate scheme monitoring. He outlined designing and implementation components such as risk assessment, timely data, and stakeholder responsibilities. Acknowledging India's ongoing development in outcome budgeting, he stressed strategic efforts to bridge current practices with full outcome-based budgeting potential.
Overview:
The session focused on the transition from input-based budgeting to outcome-based monitoring in government schemes and initiatives. This shift is essential for enhancing the efficacy of public schemes. Outcome-based monitoring requires measuring the actual results and impacts of government interventions, as opposed to simply allocating resources. It involves building capacities of departmental/ministerial staff and implementing data-driven decision-making. The session aimed to explore the challenges, best practices, and the role of stakeholders in improving the effectiveness of government schemes through outcome-based monitoring.
Conclusion:
The session highlighted the importance of transitioning from input-based budgeting to outcome-based monitoring in order to improve the efficacy of government schemes. It emphasized the need for consultation among multiple stakeholders, including the Ministry of Finance, Line Ministries, and State Planning Departments. Enablers and barriers of outcome-based monitoring mechanisms were discussed, along with the importance of localizing outcome monitoring at various levels of governance for the achievement of national development goals. Apart from that focus was on linking the SDG and other national goals with output-outcome indicators for better data-driven decision-making.