District Planning in India - District Visioning

District Visioning

A vision document is for 10 to 15 years is to be prepared by the district and for each local government based on a participatory assessment. The DPC may hold formal interactions with local governments and other key stakeholders on this and then finalise it. The document should clearly identify the key reasons for backwardness / development shortcomings and address issues impeding development.

District vision document will cover :-

• Agriculture and allied sectors.
• Availability and development of water sources.
• Industries – especially traditional, small industries including food processing.
• Infrastructure including power.
• Drinking water and sanitation.
• Literacy, school education.
• Health and medical facilities.
• Poverty reduction and basic needs.
• Gender and children.
• Social justice – SC / ST, Persons with disability etc.

To assist the DPC in preparing the vision document (and subsequently to vet the draft plan proposals), a Technical Support Group may be constituted in each district. it may consist of departmental officers nominated for the purpose in addition to their duties or retired persons locally available or a local academic institution or established NGO with a proven record – similarly, technical support as appropriate, may be organized for the urban areas, intermediate panchayats and village panchayats.

If undertaken in a campaign mode, the preparation of vision documents can be completed in two months time.

Further, if District is to be the economic unit for planning exercise, the scope of vision document could be expanded to include areas of comparative advantage of each district which would be the basis for attracting private investment.