GOVERNANCE
India is fast urbanizing and with such pace of urbanization comes unprecedented challenges for cities. As urban population rapidly increase, the need for additional infrastructure and services in urban areas put a severe strain on the capacities and resources of local governments. The problem is particularly severe in small and medium cities where lack of technical capacity, skilled manpower and own revenue sources prevent urban local governments from being able to effectively address these challenges.
Sulochana Thapar Foundation believes that by improving urban service delivery in small towns and promoting informed participation by citizens, local leaders and policy makers; a systemic transformation can be achieved, generating required value additions for improved quality of life in these towns. While the short-term focus is on building capacities for delivery of quality public services, the long-term goal is to economically empower urban local governments and harness their unique strengths to build a brand identity for themselves capable of independently attracting investments leading to inclusive growth.
Avantha Urban Innovation Program (AUIP)
AUIP was first launched in Kumhari, Chhattisgarh in 2012. The program was scaled to Konark and Pipli in Odisha, and Bhuj and Rapar in Gujarat in 2014. Dharamshala, Kullu and Shimla in Himachal Pradesh were added in 2015. As of 2017, the program has expanded to four more towns – Mapusa and Mormugao in Goa, and Bundi and Jhalawar in Rajasthan.
The Foundation also has its flagship Governance Fellowship program under which Fellows are placed with urban local governments in AUIP intervention towns for a period of two years. They are deputed with the Municipalities to support local governments with AUIP implementation, which also serves as their key learning resource during the Fellowship.
The Foundation has recently established a Centre for Effective Governance in collaboration with Lalit Mohan Thapar School of Management at Dera Bassi in Chandigarh to undertake action research on improving governance mechanisms. The Centre will also develop and deliver custom made capacity building programs for Municipal staff and elected representatives.
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Bhuj
Key Interventions |
Capacity building programs for effective financial management and overall fiscal performance |
Promoting decentralized public service delivery through ward level interventions |
Rapar
Key Interventions |
GIS-enabled Urban Planning Support System (UPSS) for decentralized and participatory town planning |
Wider and active citizen engagement programs, especially for increasing participation by women |
Capacity building of elected representatives, municipal staff and citizen groups on a wide range of topics |
Dharamshala
Key Interventions |
Strategy recommendations and technical assistance for fiscal reforms – improved fiscal discipline and all round fiscal performance |
Impetus to participatory governance through active citizen engagement and capacity building |
Harnessing media to improve citizens’ access to crucial information on services, schemes and entitlements |
Streamlining human resources for improved operational efficiency, reduced cost and overall administrative effectiveness |
Capacity building of elected representatives, municipal staff and citizen groups on a wide range of topics |
Kullu
Key Interventions |
Assistance in strategic planning and program development under AMRUT Mission |
Strategy recommendations and technical assistance for fiscal reforms – improved fiscal discipline and all round fiscal performance |
Impetus to participatory governance through active citizen engagement and capacity building |
Improving transparency through innovative ways of information dissemination |
Capacity strengthening programs for elected representatives and municipal staff on varied topics |
Shimla
Key Interventions |
Comprehensive governance survey in Kaithu |
Chandigarh
Key Interventions |
The Centre for Effective Governance at Lalit Mohan Thapar School of Management, Dera Bassi will offer a Master of Philosophy program to promote research on improving governance mechanisms in small and medium towns of India |
Bundi
Project launched in April 2017
Jhalawar
Project launched in April 2017
Kumhari
Key Interventions |
Technical assistance for SWM pilot focusing on segregation at source, collection at doorstep and scientific disposal |
Building social accountability in public service delivery through user experience surveys |
Pipli
Key Interventions |
Support for vision building and for developing a logo for the town based on its famous appliqué work heritage |
Konark
Key Interventions |
Support for vision building and follow-up project implementation |
Technical assistance to identify and address critical gaps in public service delivery |
Training needs assessments for elected representatives and municipal staff |
Mapusa
Project launched in April 2017
Mormugao
Project launched in April 2017