INTRODUCTION

• Launch of MAS: Initiated by the Union government in 2018.
• Objective: Monitor development progress and identify gaps in basic needs at the local level.

OBJECTIVES AND METHODOLOGY OF MAS

• Annual Survey: Collects data on 29 subjects assigned to panchayats by the Constitution.
• Assessment of Development Gaps: Focus on village panchayats (VPs) to identify deprived and vulnerable areas.
• Karnataka’s Status: 76 VPs identified as most deprived with scores less than 21 out of 100.

HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INDEX (HDI) AND KARNATAKA’S PROGRESS

• Historical HDI Data:
  • 2001: Karnataka HDI – 0.650 (higher than national average of 0.621).
  • International Ranking: Karnataka (120), India (127).
  • Improvement: From 0.541 in 1991 to 0.650 in 2001 (20% increase).
  • 2019: Karnataka’s HDI rose to 0.682.
• Progressive State: Significant growth in various sectors including agriculture, industry, and IT.

KARNATAKA’S REGIONAL DISPARITIES IN DEVELOPMENT

• HDI Rankings:
  • Top Districts: Bangalore Urban, Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Kodagu, Shivamogga.
  • Lagging Districts: Ballari, Bidar, Kalaburagi, Koppal, Raichur, Yadgir (Kalyana-Karnataka region).
• Regional Imbalances:
  • Southern Karnataka: Development concentrated.
  • Northern Karnataka: Multidimensional poverty prevalent.

PROACTIVE POLICY MEASURES AND CHALLENGES

• Policy Formulation: Efforts to improve human development and social justice.
• Disparities Despite Policies: Some VPs remain deprived despite proactive measures.
• Performance Assessment: Karnataka’s overall performance above national average since 2018.

ADDRESSING REGIONAL IMBALANCES

• Historical Committees:
  • Nanjundappa Committee (2000): Identified regional imbalances.
  • Hemalata Rao Study (1984): Discussed regional disparities.
• Special Status and Development Boards: Article 371-J for Hyderabad-Karnataka region.
• Limitations of Past Assessments: Focused on taluk-level rather than grassroots level.

SIGNIFICANCE OF GRAM PANCHAYAT HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT (GPHDI)

• GPHDI Report (2015): First grassroots level report in India.
• Findings: 90% of GPs in certain districts fared below state average.
• MAS Role: Identifying underdevelopment in village panchayats.

FUTURE STRATEGIES FOR ADDRESSING DEPRIVATION

• Economic Packages:
  • 5th SFC: Introduce packages for most deprived VPs.
  • Strategy for Localizing SDGs: Address deprivation to achieve SDGs.
• Special Grants: Tied to project-specific objectives addressing local needs and relevant SDGs.

CONCLUSION

• Holistic Approach: Utilize MAS findings and GPHDI insights for targeted interventions.
• Sustainable Development: Localized strategies to combat poverty and ensure equitable development across Karnataka.