WASH SCHEME
UPSC GS MAINS IMPORTANT QUESTIONS
"To ensure effective implementation of policies addressing water, sanitation and hygiene needs, the identification of beneficiary segments is to be synchronized with the anticipated outcomes". Examine the statement in the context of the WASH scheme.
As the world transits from Millennium Development Goals to Sustainable Development Goals, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) are taking policy center stage in many countries. The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is for instance a manifestation of this importance. WASH sectors being concurrent subjects, policies have been formulated by both the Central government and respective State governments. However WASH policies formulated by the State governments have low robustness as compared to that of national policies. The capacity for policymaking of State governments thus need to be further strengthened.
Identification of the beneficiary segments is a key component of policy. Therefore, policymakers have gradually moved away from a "one size fits all" approach to a more beneficiary-centric approach. To be able to achieve our WASH targets, it is imperative that our policies straddle both the human life cycle and geographical and social context approaches. The robustness of policies can be enhanced if more and more policies can focus on identifying the barriers faced by the different segments in accessing WASH services.
Needless to say, better identification of barriers would also have a positive impact on subsequent downstream components such as formulation of strategies and outcomes such as formulation of strategies and outcomes. A more robust policy would help in achieving better outcomes from WASH projects and programs.
Comments
Post a Comment