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Policy
Outcome 2: Improve Social Sector Financing
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2.1
In support of the Sindh Poverty Reduction Strategy, increase
social sector spending above the normal increment |
SPG
agrees to maintain the
level
of social sector allocations as a proportion of total
revenues in FY03- 04 and allocate $33 million as an additionality |
Report
of FD |
SPG
stands committed to enhancement of social sector allocations
on the benchmark of FY03-04 and to provide the ADF funds
under DSSP as additionality.
The
FD report contains details of the increased allocations
in the social sector during the last 2 fiscal years. |
Table
attached (Annex
- J)
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2.2
Use needs-based,
transparent
formula for
the
distribution of the conditional grant funds for social
sector
development |
In consultation
with DGs and TMAs, SPG proposes an interim formula for
the distribution of extra funds under the loan to DGs
and TMAs as conditional grants.
This
formula will be considered and finalized by the PFC or
PSC, in case PFC has not been set up |
Provide
copy of formula |
The
PFC has been reconstituted and is operational. However,
it has extended the Interim Award announced by its predecessors
and thus all the formulas for distribution of funds, including
that for Poverty Alleviation Program (Khushal Pakistan)
benchmarked for distribution of DSSP funds, have been
endorsed and hold good.
Although
there is no requirement for it after the endorsement mentioned
above, as a step towards achieving further credence to
the issue of DSSP funds being distributed on the basis
of 70% population and 30% backwardness (measured on the
basis of the SPDC Deprivation Index, used by the PFC for
its Interim Award), the proposed formula is being placed
before the PSC for confirmation
|
Formula
for the distribution of DSSP funds has been notified (Annex - K). |
| 2.3
Transfer of
funds through
Account
IV in a
timely manner |
SPG
commits to implement the PFC Award to transfer funds to
DGs and TMAs through Account IV in a timely manner; including
for salaries within 2 yrs
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FD Report |
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| Policy
Outcome 3: Improve Participation, Linkages, and Public
Accountability |
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3.1
Ensure
implementation
of the Sindh Gender Reform Action Plan |
SPG
finalizes draft of the Sindh Gender Reform Action Plan
for presentation to the provincial Cabinet |
Final
Draft of GRAP |
The
Sindh GRAP has been finalized and approved on 17th
December 2003
by the Provincial Steering Committee for presentation
to the Cabinet. It is expected that it will be placed
before the Cabinet within the next fortnight
The
Women Development Department has also prepared an Action
Plan for the implementation of the GRAP
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3.2
Strengthen
participatory
planning and monitoring of DGs and TMAs, based on the
bottom-up annual planning cycle |
SPG
commits to prepare an action plan to promote transparent
and participatory planning and monitoring in DGs and TMAs
in accordance with provisions of the SLGO |
DPL |
DPL
containing a specific commitment to this effect has been
issued by the SPG |
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3.3
Adopt the mechanism of management agreements between the
SPG, DGs and TMAs that would make them eligible for conditional
grants to stimulate social sector development
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SPG
develops the system for DGs and TMAs to access the conditional
grants through individual MOU between DGs/TMAs and SPG |
PSU
provides system design |
The
PSU team at FD has developed a draft MOU after seeking
inputs from PLDs and some sample LGs in a small workshop
scheduled for 18th February. It will be subsequently
shared and discussed with a larger sample of LGs before
placing it for approval of the PSC in its first meeting
tentatively scheduled in
the last week of February
The
Education Department has also developed a draft MOU between
the SPG and the SMCs for receiving funds directly from
the SPG. This draft MOU is part of the Summary sent to
the Chief Secretary recommending legalization of SMCs. |
§
Draft
MoU was discussed with Stakeholders (PLDs, District Governments,
TMAs) in separate meetings held on 18th February,
March 24 and 29 respectively.
MoU finalized in the light of amendments suggested
by the stakeholders is placed at Annex
- L.
Draft
MoU prepared by ED was discussed during the Round Table
Education Conference organized by the ADB on 16-17 March.
MoU is under stake holder review at the moment (Annex
- M). |
| Policy
Outcome 4: Rationalize Services and Set Minimum Standards |
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4.1
Improve quality
of annual
sector plans of
DGs and
TMAs by
providing
incentives
of
conditional
grants |
SPG,
in consultation with
DGs
and TMAs, finalizes the social sector activities
qualifying
for support under the annual sector plans prepared by
DGs and TMAs |
GOS
finalizes eligibility criteria |
The
PSU team at FD has developed draft eligibility criteria
which were discussed with PLDs and some sample LGs in
a small workshop scheduled for 18th February.
It will be subsequently shared with a larger sample of
LGs before placing it for approval before the PSC in its
first meeting |
Given
in MoU and agreed by the stakeholder in principle. |
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4.2
Rationalize the
distribution
of services, staff and funds |
SPG
ensures that MOUs require DGs and TMAs to
rationalize services
and staff.
SPG
follows a policy of transparent, merit-based, contractual,
facility specific recruitment preferably of locals and
females with the aim of operationalizing schools and health
centers.
SPG
commits to a ban on new civil works and (re-)
opening
closed schools, facilities and schemes,
unless
a comprehensive plan to operationalize the services has
been prepared and the civil
works
and operationalization of services is carried out by SMCs |
GOS
status reports and notifications |
§
The
issue of rationalization has been addressed by including
it as an integral part of the draft MOU
§
Education
Department has notified the empowerment of SMCs with regard
to hiring of facility specific teachers, focusing on female
recruitment. The notification also empowers SMCs to make
expenditures for repair and maintenance, construction
of shelters in shelterless schools, toilets etc
§
Education
Department invited EOIs through advertisement from private
sector firms and has selected a firm to carry out tests
for hiring 752 lecturers on contract. The Sindh Public
Service Commission has also been involved in the selection
process
§
The
SPG has put in place a strategy for ensuring that new
civil works and/or rehabilitation of existing schools
takes place by following certain clearly laid out criteria
(such as distance from population catchments) and by promoting
public-private partnerships through the Sindh Education
Foundation and its various programs such as Adopt A School,
Community Managed Schools etc.
§
As
part of its efforts to ensure that investment in existing
and under construction health and education facilities
is based on clear criteria, the Health and Education Department
engaged a private firm to carry out a Third Party Validation
of Primary Health and Education Facilities for prioritizing
operationalization.
These Studies have been completed and provide detailed
surveys of existing facilities as well as explicit recommendations
for prioritization of investments based on the field work,
in specific areas and facilities
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§
Given
in MoU and agreed by Stakeholders
§
Copy
of Notification annexed (Annex
- N).
§
Entry
test for posts of Lecturer was conducted through College
of Business Management (CBM) a leading Management Institute.
Results have been widely publicized and also placed on
the Education Department’s Web site.
§
Interview
Committees headed by the Members of the Sindh Public Service
Commission have been notified (Annexure
– O).
§
Interview
process has started from 15th
March 2004.
§
Stakeholders
in their meetings have expressed an urgent need for adoption
of the recommendations contained in the TPV Studies (Health
& Education) carried out under the aegis of Sindh
Reform Program. Minutes of the meeting with DGs placed
at Annexure – P. |
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4.3
Improve policy
framework
for drinking water supply and solid waste management
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SPG
commits to prepare interim policies on solid
waste
management and drinking water supply |
DPL |
DPL
containing a specific commitment to this effect has been
issued by the SPG |
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| Policy
Area 5: Encourage Public-Private Partnership to Improve
Service Delivery |
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5.1
Strengthen the role of CBOs in social service delivery
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SPG
prepares overall plan to promote the role of CBOs
SPG
announces expansion of support to CBOs, including SMCs
for katchi class up to grade 12 and
shelterless
school based on number of students enrolled
rather
than number of classrooms
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Chief
Secretary approves plan |
A
Summary is being prepared by the PSU team at FD containing
the plan outlining the manner in which the role of CBOs
in the devolved social sectors can be promoted and strengthened.
This will be sent to the Chief Secretary early next week
The
Education Department has already moved a Summary for according
legal status to SMCs. As required by DSSP, an allocation
of Rs.450m has been made in FY03-04, to be distributed
on the basis of enrollment, rather than classrooms and
50% of these funds have already been transferred and the
rest are under process.
The
Education Department has also recently published in Urdu
and Sindhi, a Manual for SMCs which details the roles,
responsibilities and procedures for SMC operations.
Similarly,
to support VDAs, Rs.103 million have been allocated in
FY03-04 for M&R of existing schemes |
Based
on accumulated experience of Finance Department; further
refined through PHRD financed studies a CBO Plan has been
prepared and would be placed before PSC for endorsement
prior to its approval by Chief Secretary (Annexure - Q).
Draft
Act prepared by ED was discussed during the Round Table
Education Conference organized by the ADB on 16-17 March.
Draft Act is under stake holder review at the moment (Annex
- R).
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5.2
Increase in financing of
CBOs
(SMCs, health boards, VDAs; and NGOs) in a timely manner |
SPG
commits that the MOUs require DGs and TMAs to promote
increased
funding of
CBOs by DGs and TMAs for improved service delivery. |
FD report |
This
has been addressed by including it as part of the Terms
and Conditions of the draft MOU |
District
Governments and TMAs have agreed to the incrementally
enhanced expenditure of upto 25% of funds through CBOs
in a timely manner. However, LGs have emphasized on developing
a separate mechanism for working of CBOs. PSU is including
this recommendation in the TORs of Finance / Governance
Specialists who will further develop on the broad CBO
Plan prepared as per Annexure-Q. |