The Last Mile: Turning Public Policy Upside Down (Innovations, Practice and the Future of Public Policy in India)

The Last Mile explores the gaps and dichotomy between drafted policies and their implementation, and the last mile challenges which often make public services inaccessible to the poorest and most vulnerable sections of society. It provides an in-depth overview of the dynamics between communities, research and consultation and the implementation of policies for development. Rich in empirical data and case studies from different government programmes and reports, this book examines the implementation of government service programmes for poverty reduction, women's empowerment, and income generation for the poor, among others, from a people's perspective. It highlights the need for policies and institutions to align their methods to community needs. Offering guidelines for redesigning as well as solutions to counter challenges related to lack of trust and effective communication, human resource management, capacity development, redressal mechanisms, and facilitating the last mile connection, the author delineates effective ways for integrating new technologies in policy implementation. The book also addresses legacy issues in institutions and re-orienting policy for better governance, transparency, and building trust. Part of the Innovations, Practice and the Future of Public Policy in India series, this book, by a senior practitioner, will be an essential resource for students and researchers of development studies, sociology, public policy and governance, economics, and South Asian studies. This book is freely available as a downloadable Open Access PDF at http://www.taylorfrancis.com under a Creative Commons (CC-BY-NC-ND) 4.0 license. Cover Endorsement Page Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents List of Figures List of Tables Acknowledgements Introduction Why We Need To Develop the Discipline of Public Policy from the Community’s Perspective and the Last Mile Notes Chapter 1: A Poverty-Free India: Building Systems for Outcomes The Post-Covid-19 Scenario and Recent Assessments, Post-2019 Notes Chapter 2: The Historical Legacy Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (2018): An Example of Translating Policy Into Action Building Systems for Outcomes Notes Chapter 3: The Diversity of Geographies Decline in Multi-dimensional Poverty Across States – 2022 UNDP 5 Notes Chapter 4: High Growth, Ease of Doing Business, and Well-Being Even Infrastructure Needs Community Connect How Corporates Can Transform Lives and Livelihoods A Concrete Agenda for Interventions That Matter Developed India Needs Human Capital Notes Chapter 5: Improving Ease of Living of the Poor Reforming MGNREGS (2014–19) Understanding the Success of PMAY Gramin Notes Chapter 6: Why Incomes Matter Deprived Households as Partners in Growth and Well-Being Good Schools, Employable Skills, and Dependable Health Facilities Matter Note Chapter 7: Women’s Well-Being and Livelihoods Notes Chapter 8: Women, Work, and Well-Being Gas Price and Liquor Ban Turning gender Budgeting Upside Down Notes Chapter 9: Vulnerable Social Groups, Inclusive Policies and Programmes Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Need for Evidence-Based Mid-Course Corrections 78th Round National Sample Survey (NSS 2021) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Lessons for Outcomes Chapter 10: Policy and Programme Formulation in Basic Education Education Reforms to Transform India Creating Opportunities for Youth to Reap the Demographic Dividend Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) – An Insider’s Perspective Nipun Bharat Mission The Elusive Goal of all Children in School and All Children Learning Making Basic Education for All a Reality Post-Covid-19 Learning Challenges Note Chapter 11: Revisiting Skills for Full Employment The Employment-Income Crisis Education – Skill Continuum for an Indian Miracle Digital Public Infrastructure Access to Credit with Community Connect as the Way Forward Note Chapter 12: Higher Education: Meeting the Challenge The Real Higher Education Reform Expanding Quality, Easing Participation Chapter 13: Policy and Programme Formulation in Health Learning from Delhi’s Dengue: 2014 Crafting a Credible Public System is the Answer Universal Health Coverage Addressing a Few Key Missing Gaps Notes Chapter 14: Making Quality Health for All a Reality Vaccination Success and Frontline Teams Understanding the Role of HR and the Public System in Health ASHA – Hope for Health Notes Chapter 15: Poshan, People, and Panchayats Hits and Misses in Health and Nutrition Lessons to Learn for Immediate Action What Explains These Gains? Chapter 16: Improving Governance of Programmes Twelve Transformational Initiatives in Rural Development (2014–2019) Chapter 17: Community Connect, GPDPs, and Rankings Promoting Convergence for Better Outcomes Chapter 18: Human Resource Reforms Human Resources in Panchayati Raj Institutions The Issue of Core and Agency Functions The Sumit Bose Committee Administrative and Technical Support under the 14th Finance Commission Utilization of 10% Funds A Few Recommendations of the Sumit Bose Committee Recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission Breathing Life into Local Governments and Communities: Learning from Successes, Failures, and Changing Local Contexts Note Chapter 19: Poverty-Free Gram Panchayats Community Assessment for Local Action Mission Antyodaya as a Pathway to an Inclusive India Chapter 20: Improving Well-Being of Urban Poor A More Human Urban The Time to Act is Now Chapter 21: Why We Need the PM’s Human Development Council Leave No One Behind with Sustainable Growth and Well-Being Chapter 22: Global Warming: Local Churning Climate-Resilient Natural Farming Learning from Women Farmers Note Chapter 23: A Poverty-Free India: Concluding Remarks Transforming Public Services for the Poor The Freebies Debate Sustained Well-Being of the Vulnerable As Thrust Making a Difference Assessing the IAS Chapter 24: An India for All Post-Covid-19 Challenges to Growth and Well-Being People’s Budget in People’s Hands Decentralization Delivers Development and Democracy Saving Poverty Gains in the Medium Term Addressing the Pandemic Challenge, Inflation, and the Ukraine Crisis Note Bibliography Index