Project Title: BASELINE SURVEY FOR THE PROJECT PRAGATI

Role: Lead Consultant

Client: Centre for Youth and Social Development (CYSD), Bhubaneswar, India 

Project Recipient: Birla Global University, Bhubaneswar, India 

Duration: October 2023 to August 2024

Project Description:

The Baseline Study Report for Project Pragati, conducted in different Districts of Odisha, provides a critical foundation for understanding the socio-economic dynamics and governance challenges faced by vulnerable communities in these regions. This comprehensive study evaluates key aspects of livelihood, education, health, social security, and local governance, with a particular emphasis on marginalized groups such as women, children, and landless households.

Employing a meticulous mix of qualitative and quantitative methodologies, the report offers an in-depth analysis of the disconnect between policy intentions and ground realities. It underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions to empower local institutions, improve infrastructure, and strengthen the capacity of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) to achieve sustainable development outcomes.

The findings aim to guide stakeholders in crafting inclusive and participatory strategies aligned with localized Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs). 

Project Title: Status of Financial Inclusion in Odisha

Role: Research Associate

Sponsoring Body: NABARD

Project Recipient: National Institute of Technology Rourkela

Duration: December 2015 to December 2016

Project Description:

The need of the hour for public policy and banks, therefore, is to focus on inclusive growth ie ‘growth with equity’, and make financial inclusion the uppermost policy priority. Financial inclusion will positively impact the lives of rural Indians and pull millions of them out of the clutches of poverty. The Financial Inclusion Programme was launched by the Government of India as more than 40% of the country's population did not have any access to Banking services. In the year 2006, India adopted a bank-led, technology-driven Banking Correspondent (BC) model for the expansion of branchless banking and thus achieve financial inclusion. Due to the limitations of the spread of brick-and-mortar branches, the efficacy of the Banking Correspondent model would most probably decide the fate of this socio-economically significant program. Substantial progress has been achieved in establishing basic financial infrastructure through the Correspondent Model. Recent data indicates that as of March 2012, Service points (CSPs) have been set up in villages, with no banks, under the BC model. However, there was widespread apprehension and criticism that the BC system was not delivering the intended results due to various constraints.

Objectives

• To analyze the viability issues faced by different models including strengths and weaknesses of each model and to suggest means of overcoming them.

• To evaluate different products and services offered by BCs and identify others with the potential to do well. 

• To explore and critically analyze various challenges preventing BCs from offering different banking products and services.

Scope of the study

The study covered different geographical regions in Odisha.