Date:22/01/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/01/22/stories/2005012216060500.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Coordination panel with NGOs planned

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, JAN. 21. The Government has decided to set up a coordination committee with leading NGOs to synergise the working of its departments with the latter for better implementation of policies.

According to an official press release, this committee will be headed by the Chief Minister with the Minister for Rural Development as vice-chairman. A retired civil servant will be nominated executive vice-chairperson of this committee which will have top officials from the departments of Panchayat Raj, Rural Development, School Education, Health, Medical and Family Welfare, Social Welfare, Tribal Welfare, Environment, Forests, Science and Technology, Women and Child Welfare and Disabled Development. Principal Secretary, planning, will be member convenor of this committee.

Six NGOs or NGO networks active in the State will be nominated to this committee for a term of two years.

District committees

A similar district-level coordination committee has also been mooted which will be headed by the Minister in-charge of that district and the ZPP Chairman as this committee's vice-chairman. The district Collector will be the executive vice-chairman and it will have representation from Government departments and six district NGOs.

These committees will conduct periodic reviews and work for strengthening the Government's partnership with NGOs.