Keep up-to-date with all that is happening in welfare policy with this curated selection of news, published every fortnight. 

Policy News 

Union Budget: 

• With Budget 2020 due to be tabled next week, Accountability Initiative at the Centre for Policy Research (CPR) offers you exclusive access to our flagship research analysis – the Budget Brief series. In the current volume you will find insights on the structure, fund flows and trends in implementation of 13 key Government of India welfare programmes. Using government reported data, the series has analysed India’s social sector story from a welfare lens since 2009.

Health and Nutrition: 

• The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has projected a requirement of Rs. 5.38 lakh crore over the next five years for providing primary healthcare. The presentation was made to the 15th Finance Commission, in which the ministry lay emphasis on primary healthcare investment to reduce the need for expensive and complex care.
• The POSHAN Abhiyaan has been launched in Gujarat by Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. The Centrally Sponsored Scheme is targeted towards eliminating malnutrition in 2022. The CM also announced cash rewards of Rs 12,000 to incentivise Anganwadi, ASHA, and ANM workers.

Water: 

• Efficiency targets of state and Central water departments were reviewed by the Ministry of Jal Shakti. As per the review, Gujarat was the top performer, followed by Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) and Rajasthan. The departments have been ranked on several parameters including procurement, data digitisation, and trainings. 

Health and Sanitation: 

• The National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR) has collaborated  with UNICEF to establish a ‘Communication Resource Unit’ (CRU). which will provide strategic communications support to national flagship programmes like Swachh Bharat Mission, National Health Mission and POSHAN Abhiyaan. This team will support SBCC strategies development, rollout plans, capacity building and developing IEC material.