Performance of welfare schemes that are implemented for vulnerable sections is not so effective due to absence of their awareness and active involvement at all stages of the policy process. Discuss.

The performance and effectiveness of any welfare schemes depends on Policy formulation, implementation and evaluation.

Instances of Non-Effectiveness of the schemes:

1. ICDS Scheme: The ICDS program, while successful in many ways, has not made a significant dent in child malnutrition. This is mostly due to the priority that the program has placed on food supplementation, targeting mostly children after the age of three when malnutrition has already set in.

2. Health Insurance schemes: One of the most common misconceptions about buying health insurance is that healthy people don’t need it. The seriousness is felt only while facing a medical contingency.

Lack of awareness and involvement in policy process and its effect:

1. Policy Formulation:

• Non identification of values of the broader community.

• Non identification of areas of disagreement.

• Lack of Identification of Priorities of the schemes.

• Inadequate analysis of environmental and rehabilitation implications.

2. Policy Implementation:

• Lack of Legitimacy.

• Delays in clearances from regulatory authorities for land acquisition and in procurement of resources due to poor planning and coordination.

3. Policy Evaluation:

• Lack of Feedback mechanism in the system 

• Policies and programmes are not evaluated on their outcomes instead focus stays on monitoring finances.

Participatory and collaborative approach enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of the welfare schemes and can lead to better targeting and outcomes. After all, the people’s participation is very much necessary to carry out Good Governance.