We are as much surprised as the officials of Planning and Development Department that majority of District Development Commissioners have failed to send in six-monthly evaluation study report on the progress, delivery, time-frame and impact of developmental activities and projects going on in their respective Districts. The very nomenclature of “District Development Commissioner” implies that this functionary, usually called the eyes, the ears and the hands of the Government,” is supposed to keep close eye on the development process going on in his district. And if they fail to send in the desired report on the basis of which other developmental activities are to be designed and carried out, then all that can be said is that the district is in wrong hands. They hardly need to be told that the entire structure of development on national and regional level is based on the study and research made by way of feedback. Being the prime instruments of development, the evaluation studies will hasten the development of the country in an organized and systematic manner. Fresh instructions issued by the Principal Secretary Planning and Development have been devised to streamline the preparation of research study focusing on delivery and impact. After all, the end result of developmental exercise is to raise the standard of living of people. How the government or the civil society is to decide what has been achieved and what remains to be achieved after investment of capital and labour. The Principal Secretary has laid down the methodology by constituting a Committee that is authorized to identify programme/scheme/project in consultation with the Chief Planning Officer. In a way the Government has constituted a high power Committee to advise the District authorities on what areas and disciplines need to be brought under scrutiny on the basis of which study, further developmental planning will be based. Requirements of districts vary in part though their major infrastructural requirements are almost the same. Still to be precise and prioritize utilization of funds, it is important that survey report in the case of individual districts is brought to the notice of the concerned authority. However, we hope that the District Development Commissioners have sufficient technical manpower at their disposal to which the task of compiling evaluation studies can be entrusted.
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