1. Human Development for Tribal Population in Gujarat

(Complete 2009)

Project Agency : Government of Gujarat

Project In charge : Prof. Indira Hirway and Prof. Darshini Mahadevia

Project Associate : Dr. Neha Shah, Dr. Rahul Awade

The first Gujarat Human Development Report 2004 was released in 2004. The report presented the status of human development in Gujarat, analyzed the factors that influence the status, identified the major areas of concern and made detailed recommendations to improve the status of human development in the state. A major observation of the Gujarat HDR was about wide regional disparities in the status of human development and the need for an area specific approach to promote human development in lagging regions. Since the tribal population in the state is lagging in human development achievements, a need was felt to examine the specific issues concerning their human development and develop a strategy to address these issues effectively. CFDA therefore undertook this study with the sponsorship of the tribal department, Government of Gujarat.

The study has assessed, on the basis of the available studies and literature, the impact of the efforts made by the government and non government organizations to promote human development in the tribal region in Gujarat, and has identified specific areas of concern, constraints and problems as well as potential of development. It has formulated a strategy for tribal development to mainstream tribal population in the development process of the state economy.

The report has been received well. CFDA has discussed the implications of the report with the policy makers.

Outcome : Issues in Tribal Development of Tribal Population in Gujarat by Indira Hirway, Darshini Mahadevia, Neha Shah and Rahul Awade

2. Good Practices Adopted for Mid-Day Meal Schemes in Gujarat.

Sponsoring Agency : NUEPA, New Delhi

Project Team : Dr. Shital Lodhia and Ms Jyotika Shah

This project has studied selected successful cases of mid day meal programmes in rural and urban Gujarat. The successful were identified based on the secondary data as well as the discussions with the concerned government officials. The selected cases, both rural and urban, were studied intensively. An important finding of the study is that successes have taken place where civil society organizations are able to make the administration accountable. However for sustainable results it is necessary to strengthen the institutions that make the scheme accountable to the public. The report has been submitted to NUEPA.

The report was discussed with NGO networks working on the mid-day meal scheme in the state. The report has been submitted to the sponsoring agency.

3. Gujarat Human Development Report-2004 Completed

(Complete 2004)

Project In-charge : Prof.Indira Hirway and Dr.Darshini Mahadevia

Sponsoring Agency : Planning Commission [Government of India, New Delhi] And UNDP, New Delhi. (through MGLI)

Research Associate : Dr. Shital Lodhia, Madhavi Patel, Harpreet Singh, Vimal Khawas

This is the first Human Development Report of Gujarat. It looks at human development as the goal as well as the development paradigm that is conductive to the promotion of the goal. The report shows that the status of human development in Gujarat is determined by the macro development path, the efforts made in sectors like literacy and education, health and nutrition etc., and by the micro level preparedness and empowerment of communities. The state has experienced a deceleration in the achievements of human development in the 1990s, in spite of a high rate of economic growth. The report therefore recommends a development strategy for the state that strengthens the linkage between economic growth and human development. It also identifies critical areas for interventions at the different levels and in diverse sectors for promoting human development in the state.

Output : Gujarat Human Development Report 2004 By Indira Hirway and Darshini Mahadevia, MGLI, 2004

4. Rural Female Literacy in Tribal Gujarat

(Complete 2003)

Project Agency : Department of Tribal development, Government of Gujarat

Project In charge : Prof. Indira Hirway and Dr P H Thakar

This study examines the status of female literacy of tribal women in Gujarat. It uses secondary data as well as primary data to understand why tribal females are at the bottom of the literacy levels in Gujarat. The primary survey collects village level and household data on the infrastructure and quality of education. In addition, the study has used participatory methods to understand the constraints and problems of tribal households and tribal women with respect to enrollment and regular attendance of girls in schools. The study has examined the performance of the special schemes of the government to promote education of tribal children ad particularly girls in Gujarat. The study has made useful recommendations for promoting girls’ education in the tribal region in Gujarat.

The study was discussed with the senior officials of the tribal department and was well received by them.

Output : Rural Female Literacy in Tribal Gujarat by Indira Hirway and P H Thakar, 2003

5. Assessment of the long term impact of poverty alleviation programmes on the poor

(Complete 2002)

Study In-charge : Prof.Indira Hirway

Research Associate : Dr. Ananth Pant

Sponsoring Agency : Planning Commission, Government of India, New Delhi

The Study was sponsored by the Planning Commission, Government of India, New Delhi, to use its findings in the formulation of the strategy for poverty reduction in the tenth Five Year Plan. The study examined the content and coverage of the poverty alleviation programmes over the years, studied its planning and implementation and assessed its short and particularly long-term impact on poverty reduction. The findings of the report have been used by the planning commission in the Tenth Five Year Plan. The report has been submitted to the Planning Commission.

Output : How Far Can PAPs (Poverty Alleviation Programmes) Go? A Study of PAPs in India, 2002

6. Participatory Poverty Assessment in Gujarat

(Complete 2002)

Study In-charge : Prof.Indira Hirway

Research Team : Dr Basanta Sahu and Dr Shital Lodhia

Sponsoring Agency : Asian Development Bank, Manila

This study attempts to understand the perspectives of the poor on their poverty through participatory methods. It tries to understand vulnerability, insecurity as well constraints and problems and priorities of the poor. 120 villages and urban locations were selected for the study where PPA (participatory poverty assessment) was carried out.

Output : Two reports were submitted to Asian Development bank: (1) Consultations with the Poor and (2) PPA Process and Methodology. These reports are brought out as working papers by CFDA.

These are also published in the volume on Consultation with the Poor by ADB, Manila.

7. NGO Academics paper on Poverty in India

(Complete 2000)

Project In-charge : Prof. Indira Hirway

Research Associate : 15 other academicians from all over India.

Sponsoring Agency : Oxfam India.

CFDA organized a national seminar at New Delhi to discuss the NGO-Academics Paper on Poverty in India on 4th / 5th May 2000. The papers were prepared by experts from all over India on the different dimensions of poverty – income poverty, human poverty and vulnerability and insecurity, in consultation with NGOs. A Synthesis Paper that overviewed the poverty scene in India was also presented at the seminar.

Output: Eliminating Poverty in India: Exploring Possibilities – NGO – Academic Paper on Poverty in India by Indira Hirway and S Mahendra Dev, CFDA, 2000

Sectoral Papers on Poverty, Health, Education, Basic Services etc.