Manual for Integrated District Planning - National Institute of Rural ...

Manual for Integrated District Planning
most obvious requirement, others that are less obvious are equally important, such as
undertaking an environmental impact assessment. The District Planning Committee
should proactively develop a pool of experts in partnership with institutions that
can assist local governments and line departments in addressing these aspects of
planning.
3.8 The economic development aspects of planning require a high degree of
coordination between local governments and the District Planning Committee can
help a great deal by acting as the platform for coordination. Such aspects would
include planning for improved livelihood opportunities and focusing upon pockets
of dire poverty or inequity within the district. Examples would include dealing with
communities where women’s status has been traditionally low and addressing the
needs of primitive tribes, migrant tribes, bonded labour, etc. Expansion of employment
opportunities and skill development calls for the services of dedicated professionals
having expertise in this area, who are not only able to address these special needs in
a concrete manner, but are able to constantly ensure that these requirements are not
lost sight of during the planning stage and while implementing the plans.
3.9 As a matter of policy, the district planning set-up in each district should be
equipped with its own technically qualified and skilled personnel to meet the
functional requirements referred above. While some core staff could be on full time
assignment with the District Planning Committees, some of them may be posted
on deputation from state government, academic world or professional bodies or
engaged on a contract basis. Certain services may also be outsourced to professional
institutions. The actual requirement of full time professionals will depend on the
methodology for plan preparation adopted by local governments, the process of
consolidation, district size and the nature of problems it faces. Experience indicates
that there is a shortage of expertise even in the market and outsourcing professional
services, particularly in spatial planning, is often not possible. In such circumstances,
it is best to give the District Planning Committee the liberty to choose its core group
of full time professionals covering a suggested range of expertise. At the state level,
in the planning department or the State Planning Boards, there would be a need to
maintain a panel of professionals who are available both as resource persons and
for special consultancies in respect of specific problems experienced by the District
Planning Committees.
3.10 Constitution of District Planning Committee Secretariat
3.10.1 The core of the District Planning Committee Secretariat can be quickly created
by merging the following district offices into the District Planning Unit (DPU).
(a) Department of Planning and Economic Affairs, staffed by the District Planning
Officer with planning assistants.
(b) Department of Economics and Statistics, staffed by the District Statistics Officer
and statistical assistants.
(c) Department of Town and Country Planning, staffed by the Town and Country
Planning Officer and town planners.
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