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Nominee Information

Institutional Information
Member State India
Institution Name Prime Minister's Office
Institution Type Public Agency
Administrative Level National
Name of initiative Proactive Governance and Timely Implementation - PRAGATI
Projects Operational Years 4
Website of Institution http://www.pmindia.gov.in/en/

Question 1: About the Initiative
Is this a public sector initiative? Yes

Question 2: Categories
Is the initiative relevant to one of the UNPSA categories? Ensuring integrated approaches in the public-sector institutions
UNPSACriteria
2018.2.1 Introduces and operates institutional frameworks that integrate and harmonize policies, strategies and programmes for implementation of the 2030 Agenda

Question 3: Sustainable Development Goals
Is the initiative relevant to any of the 17 SDG(s)? Yes
If you answered yes above, please specify which SDG is the most relevant to the initiative. (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
Goal 3: Good Health
Goal 5: Gender Equality
Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Goal 13: Climate Action
Which target(s) within the SDGs specified above is the initiative relevant to? (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
3.1 By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births
3.8 Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all
5.1 End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere
5.2 Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation
5.4 Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services, infrastructure and social protection policies and the promotion of shared responsibility within the household and the family as nationally appropriate
5.a Undertake reforms to give women equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to ownership and control over land and other forms of property, financial services, inheritance and natural resources, in accordance with national laws
5.b Enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology, to promote the empowerment of women
6.2 By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations
6.3 By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally
6.b Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management
7.1 By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services
7.2 By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
7.a By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology, including renewable energy, energy efficiency and advanced and cleaner fossil-fuel technology, and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology
8.1 Sustain per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances and, in particular, at least 7 per cent gross domestic product growth per annum in the least developed countries
8.3 Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services
8.9 By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products
8.10 Strengthen the capacity of domestic financial institutions to encourage and expand access to banking, insurance and financial services for all
9.1 Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and trans-border infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all
9.2 Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and, by 2030, significantly raise industry’s share of employment and gross domestic product, in line with national circumstances, and double its share in least developed countries
9.3 Increase the access of small-scale industrial and other enterprises, in particular in developing countries, to financial services, including affordable credit, and their integration into value chains and markets
9.b Support domestic technology development, research and innovation in developing countries, including by ensuring a conducive policy environment for, inter alia, industrial diversification and value addition to commodities
10.1 By 2030, progressively achieve and sustain income growth of the bottom 40 per cent of the population at a rate higher than the national average
10.2 By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status
10.3 Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard
11.2 By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons
11.b By 2020, substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, resilience to disasters, and develop and implement, in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, holistic disaster risk management at all levels

Question 4: Implementation Date
Has the initiative been implemented for two or more years Yes
Please provide date of implemenation (dd/MM/yyyy) 25 Mar 2015

Question 5: Partners
Has the United Nations or any UN agencies been involved in this initiative? No
Which UN agency was involved? (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
The Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization
Please provide details

Question 6: Supporting documentation
Will you be able to provide supporting documentation for your initiative? Yes

Question 7: UNPSA Awards
Has the initiative already won a UNPS Award? No

Question 8: Other Awards
Has the initiative won other Public Service Awards? No

Question 9: How did you learn about UNPSA?
How did you learn about UNPSA? United Nations Public Service Award is one of the most coveted recognition for the efforts made by public sector professionals and institutions. The information about the award is online.

Question 10: Validation Consent
I give consent to contact relevant persons and entities to inquire about the initiative for validation purpose. No

Question 1: About the Initiative
Is this a public sector initiative? Yes

Question 2: Categories
Is the initiative relevant to one of the UNPSA categories? Ensuring integrated approaches in the public-sector institutions
UNPSACriteria
2018.2.1 Introduces and operates institutional frameworks that integrate and harmonize policies, strategies and programmes for implementation of the 2030 Agenda

Question 3: Sustainable Development Goals
Is the initiative relevant to any of the 17 SDG(s)? Yes
If you answered yes above, please specify which SDG is the most relevant to the initiative. (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
Goal 3: Good Health
Goal 5: Gender Equality
Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Goal 13: Climate Action
Which target(s) within the SDGs specified above is the initiative relevant to? (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
3.1 By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births
3.8 Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all
5.1 End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere
5.2 Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation
5.4 Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services, infrastructure and social protection policies and the promotion of shared responsibility within the household and the family as nationally appropriate
5.a Undertake reforms to give women equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to ownership and control over land and other forms of property, financial services, inheritance and natural resources, in accordance with national laws
5.b Enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology, to promote the empowerment of women
6.2 By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations
6.3 By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally
6.b Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management
7.1 By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services
7.2 By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
7.a By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology, including renewable energy, energy efficiency and advanced and cleaner fossil-fuel technology, and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology
8.1 Sustain per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances and, in particular, at least 7 per cent gross domestic product growth per annum in the least developed countries
8.3 Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services
8.9 By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products
8.10 Strengthen the capacity of domestic financial institutions to encourage and expand access to banking, insurance and financial services for all
9.1 Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and trans-border infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all
9.2 Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and, by 2030, significantly raise industry’s share of employment and gross domestic product, in line with national circumstances, and double its share in least developed countries
9.3 Increase the access of small-scale industrial and other enterprises, in particular in developing countries, to financial services, including affordable credit, and their integration into value chains and markets
9.b Support domestic technology development, research and innovation in developing countries, including by ensuring a conducive policy environment for, inter alia, industrial diversification and value addition to commodities
10.1 By 2030, progressively achieve and sustain income growth of the bottom 40 per cent of the population at a rate higher than the national average
10.2 By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status
10.3 Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard
11.2 By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons
11.b By 2020, substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, resilience to disasters, and develop and implement, in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, holistic disaster risk management at all levels

Question 4: Implementation Date
Has the initiative been implemented for two or more years Yes
Please provide date of implemenation (dd/MM/yyyy) 25 Mar 2015

Question 5: Partners
Has the United Nations or any UN agencies been involved in this initiative? No
Which UN agency was involved? (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
The Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization
Please provide details

Question 6: Supporting documentation
Will you be able to provide supporting documentation for your initiative? Yes

Question 7: UNPSA Awards
Has the initiative already won a UNPS Award? No

Question 8: Other Awards
Has the initiative won other Public Service Awards? No

Question 9: How did you learn about UNPSA?
How did you learn about UNPSA? United Nations Public Service Award is one of the most coveted recognition for the efforts made by public sector professionals and institutions. The information about the award is online.

Question 10: Validation Consent
I give consent to contact relevant persons and entities to inquire about the initiative for validation purpose. No

Question 1: About the Initiative

Is this a public sector initiative? Yes

Question 2: Categories
Is the initiative relevant to one of the UNPSA categories? Ensuring integrated approaches in the public-sector institutions
UNPSACriteria
2018.2.1 Introduces and operates institutional frameworks that integrate and harmonize policies, strategies and programmes for implementation of the 2030 Agenda

Question 3: Implementation Date

Has the initiative been implemented for two or more years Yes
Please provide date of implemenation (dd/MM/yyyy) 25 Mar 2015

Question 4: Partners/Stakeholders

Has the United Nations or any UN agencies been involved in this initiative? No
Which UN agency was involved? (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
The Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization
Please provide details

Question 5: Required Supplemental Documents

Will you be able to provide supporting documentation for your initiative? Yes

Question 6: UNPSA Awards

Has the initiative already won a UNPS Award? No

Question 7: Other Awards

Has the initiative won other Public Service Awards? No

Question 8: Sustainable Development Goals
Is the initiative relevant to any of the 17 SDG(s)? Yes
If you answered yes above, please specify which SDG is the most relevant to the initiative. (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
Goal 3: Good Health
Goal 5: Gender Equality
Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Goal 13: Climate Action
Which target(s) within the SDGs specified above is the initiative relevant to? (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
3.1 By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births
3.8 Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all
5.1 End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere
5.2 Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation
5.4 Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services, infrastructure and social protection policies and the promotion of shared responsibility within the household and the family as nationally appropriate
5.a Undertake reforms to give women equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to ownership and control over land and other forms of property, financial services, inheritance and natural resources, in accordance with national laws
5.b Enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology, to promote the empowerment of women
6.2 By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations
6.3 By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally
6.b Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management
7.1 By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services
7.2 By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
7.a By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology, including renewable energy, energy efficiency and advanced and cleaner fossil-fuel technology, and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology
8.1 Sustain per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances and, in particular, at least 7 per cent gross domestic product growth per annum in the least developed countries
8.3 Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services
8.9 By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products
8.10 Strengthen the capacity of domestic financial institutions to encourage and expand access to banking, insurance and financial services for all
9.1 Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and trans-border infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all
9.2 Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and, by 2030, significantly raise industry’s share of employment and gross domestic product, in line with national circumstances, and double its share in least developed countries
9.3 Increase the access of small-scale industrial and other enterprises, in particular in developing countries, to financial services, including affordable credit, and their integration into value chains and markets
9.b Support domestic technology development, research and innovation in developing countries, including by ensuring a conducive policy environment for, inter alia, industrial diversification and value addition to commodities
10.1 By 2030, progressively achieve and sustain income growth of the bottom 40 per cent of the population at a rate higher than the national average
10.2 By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status
10.3 Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard
11.2 By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons
11.b By 2020, substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, resilience to disasters, and develop and implement, in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, holistic disaster risk management at all levels

Question 9: Validation Consent

Do you have any objections to us inquiring about the initiative for validation purposes? No

How did you know about UNPSA?

How did you know about UNPSA? United Nations Public Service Award is one of the most coveted recognition for the efforts made by public sector professionals and institutions. The information about the award is online.

Nomination form

Questions/Answers

Question 1

Please describe the objective of the initiative introduced (200 words maximum)
PRAGATI – acronym for Proactive Governance and Timely Implementation - was initiated on 25 March 2015, in the Prime Minister’s Office as a national forum for monitoring of governance and services delivery in India. Chaired by the Prime Minister, PRAGATI forum is a unique integrating and interactive platform aimed - TO MAKE INDIAN GOVERNANCE MORE EFFICIENT AND RESPONSIVE. It is powered by modern technology tools such as Digital data management, video-conferencing and geo-spatial technology. PRAGATI - in Hindi means "progress"- today is the apex review of on ground implementation of government programmes, schemes, infrastructure projects and public grievances, in India,

Question 2

Please explain how the initiative is linked to the category and criteria selected (100 words maximum)
PRAGATI initiative fits directly into the 2nd UNPS category i.e. Ensuring integrated approaches in the public-sector institutions. It is one meta-level initiative to create implementation focus across Governance structure. It brings together multiple stakeholder agencies into one collective forum. For example any large infrastructure project - say in Railways or Roads – would involve state Government, respective Central Ministries. Its wide geographical coverage spanning multiple states would require participation of heads of these agencies, to resolve outstanding issues which impede project implementation on ground. Mere listing of project in PRAGATI agenda creates momentum, helps in prioritizing resolution of issues thereby changing mind set of public servants and obliterating silos of Government functioning.

Question 3

Please describe in what ways the initiative is contributing to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the realization of the SDGs. Specify which SDG(s) it is relevant to. (100 words maximum)
PRAGATI anchors India's progress towards realization of 2030 Agenda for sustainable development. In Indian progress towards Goal 9 (Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation), more $169 Billion worth public investments in 248 infrastructure projects covering Ports, Airports, Railways, Power and Roads has been undertaken. Towards achieving Health Goal 3 (Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages), PRAGATI has been instrumental in accelerating the outcomes in universal health care programme (Ayushman Bharat), creation of new multi-specialty hospitals (AIIMS), Digitization of Food supply chain, child vaccination programme (Indradhanush), Maternal Mortality Rate, and Tuberculosis Control.

Question 4

The initiative must have positive impact on a group or groups of the population, especially the vulnerable (i.e. children, women, older persons, people with disabilities, etc.) within the context of your country or region. Please explain how the initiative has addressed a significant shortfall in governance, public administration or public service within the context of a given country or region. (200 words maximum)
PRAGATI has had a path-breaking impact in bringing administrative synergy in addressing the issues which impact poor and the most vulnerable in India. The scale of organizational change in institutions is unprecedented. Rapid progress in achieving targets of delivery of in services such as Houses for poor, cooking gas for poor women, electricity for all households, creating open defecation free society, giving health insurance to 10 million households are empirical evidences of impact. PRAGATI was conceived as change management programme to address need for mindset change. Over the last 4 years it has led to a sense of urgency and leadership commitment to implementation, in public officials. There have 45 sessions of PRAGATI, 248 projects worth $169 billion investment apart from 47 national programmes mapped to 7 Sustainable Development Goals, where direct directions have been provided and issues resolved. By taking up individual grievances of citizens in highest forum of review, PRAGATI sessions have yielded in transformative impact in redesign of citizen-centric processes and digital governance. Therefore PRAGATI has not only yielded in saving cost and time overruns, it has also impacted in improved quality of life for more than billion Indians.

Question 5

a. Please explain in which way the initiative is innovative in the context of your country or region (100 words maximum)
PRAGATI is an innovation in governance system at the national level. As a unique forum with an interplay of political leadership, executive ownership, and technology - PRAGATI impacts lives of 1.30 billion people. It brings to light the complex issues in national projects, resolves them and creates method of instituting a cultural change in governance organisation. In a country with such - geographic, demographic, linguistic and cultural - diversity, this innovation in system, ties together the threads of Government into 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Something of this sort has never been tried before.
b. Please describe if the innovation is original or if it is an adaptation from other contexts (100 words maximum)
PRAGATI is chaired by Prime Minister. A head of state take a citizen grievance received at the apex office seeking answers to its resolution from the executive (bureaucracy). It not only established a sense of purpose but also commits the administration to listen to citzenry and resolve issues proactively. It is therefore as original a method of improving governance, which may not have been experimented earlier ever. Use of Digital data management, video-conferencing and geo-spatial technology to do real time review of projects, programmes and public grievances is unique in context of India so far.

Question 6

Has the initiative been transferred and adapted to in other contexts (e.g. other cities, countries or regions) to your organization’s knowledge? If yes, please explain (100 words maximum)
Challenge of implementation of policy, projects and programmes has been a critical area for reform for the Governments, both at the Centre and States. After the success of PRAGATI at the national level, two big states which have adopted similar method for state level review are Maharashtra and Bihar. Maharastrha implemented a similar initiative called CM War Room. This use similar methodology of periodic review of state priority projects at the state level - integrating district administrations into their of internal IT platform. In case of Bihar, the PRAGATI technology stack is being leveraged for issue resolution of their own state projects and policies.

Question 7

a. What resources (i.e. financial, human or others) were used to implement the initiative? (100 words maximum)
The following resources have been used for implementation of PRAGATI initiative 1. Infrastructure - Conference room with a seating capacity of 20 people in the Prime Minister’s Office with Multi video conferencing facility (PRAGATI Room) and with Connectivity with secretaries of central Government in Delhi and chief secretaries of all 36 states and Union territories 2. Technology Applications: Dedicated portal for digital data management about projects, programmes, public grievances (pragati.gov.in) and GIS services mapping those projects 3. Human Resources: Dedicate team headed by one senior officer for coordination and facilitation of meetings and follow up action after PRAGATI forum 4. Prime Minister’s time at 3.30 PM every fourth Wednesday of a month
b. Please describe whether and how the initiative is sustainable (covering the social, economic and environmental aspects) (200 words maximum)
The initiative is totally replicable and sustainable as it has minimal dependence on social, economic and environment concerns. Since it is a bottom up information sharing mechanism where technology is used to build common understanding and consensus, it is elegantly sustainable.

Question 8

a. Has the initiative been formally evaluated either through internal or external evaluation?
Yes
PRAGATI has been evaluated for improvements from time to time. 1. In the last 29 sessions, a list of projects undertaken at the PRAGATI forum was derived from the internal portal. The status of outstanding and resolved issues in those projects and programmes was assessed. 2. Additionally a comprehensive assessment against Agenda 2030 for sustainable development was done, by mapping of projects and programmes with SDGs.
b. Please describe the indicators that were used (100 words maximum)
The following indicators have been used to evaluate PRAGATI as an initiative a. Total number of projects evaluated and their Dollar value b. Total number of issues in projects and their categories c. Analytics of Projects and their types - Geographic distribution - Sectoral distribution - number of states covered d. Status of resolution of issues
c. Please describe the outcome of the evaluation (100 words maximum)
The following are key outcomes of evaluation of PRAGATI a. 246 projects worth Rs 1,185,672 Crore( ~$169 billion) have been undertaken in 25 sessions of PRAGATI b. More than 861 issues have been comprehensively discussed for resolution c. All the 17 sustainable development goals have been touched in PRAGATI forum. The majority of the projects and programmes reviewed in PRAGATI are related to Goal 3 (health), Goal 7 (Energy), and Goal 9 (Infrastructure)

Question 9

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development puts emphasis on collaboration, engagement, coordination, partnerships, and inclusion. Please describe what and how stakeholders were engaged in designing, implementing and evaluating the initiative. Please also highlight their roles and contributions (200 words maximum)
In 2014, when the new Government took charge in New Delhi, a review of Ministries revealed that there was huge cost and time overruns on multiple investments made by the Government. This was true across all sectors, viz., Power (both generation, distribution), Railways (national railroads, city metro lines), Airports (expansions and Greenfield), Roads (national highways and rural roads), and Ports (existing expansion and new harbors). Consultation with executive heads revealed multiple reasons for the delay in individual projects and it emerged that the Country needed a 'national mechanism' for monitoring. Lack of collaboration among different implementing agencies, including central ministries and state Governments, was single most important issue to address. PRAGATI was born as a direct initiative from the Prime Minister’s office. This engaged whole of Government and brought much needed coordination into a single platform. The programs and projects undertaken in the last 45 months have addresses core governance processes of grievance redress and services delivery. The stakeholders involved are the implementers of projects and programmes. Due to direct feedback from these implementers during PRAGATI sessions, the Government has been able expand its inclusion focus across the spectrum of social groups through initiatives concerning Health (Ayushman Bharat), Sanitation (Swachh Bharat), Clean Energy (Ujjwala) and Child nutrition (Poshan Abhiyan)

Question 10

Please describe the key lessons learned, and any view you have on how to further improve the initiative (100 words maximum)
PRAGATI as an initiative so far has been an internal, 'within the Government' method to prioritize implementation of government programmes and projects. With modern age social media and tools, the interface of PRAGATI can be expanded to involve and engage public into project prioritization. Thereby democratizing the agenda for review, instead of currently driven by Ministerial (top-driven) priority. Prime Ministerial review, of citizen suggested or demanded programmes and projects would forge and enhance the element of trust between the Government and public. The second aspect which requires attention is the evaluation and assessment. Since the information on projects (their value and location), is sometimes strategic and competitive in nature, there is an element of secrecy on data. However, the integrated dashboard of PRAGATI which mentions percent completion of project progress, if made public can further the public trust, provide faster feedback, and increase transparency.

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