INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
OPMCM, NPC and concerned federal and provincial ministries may monitor projects
Kathmandu, March 12
The government today tabled the
Monitoring and Evaluation Bill-2020 at the National Assembly for consideration.
The bill aims to make development activities transparent and
results-based by systematising monitoring and evaluation of existing policies and plans.
Criteria and indicators of monitoring and
evaluation of development activities at the federal, provincial and local levels include long-term vision, periodic plan and strategy,
project documentation, result framework, approved annual development program, design and cost-benefit, target outcomes, efficiency,
relevancy, gender equality and inclusion, international treaties and agreement.
As per the bill, the Office of the Prime Minister and
Council of Ministers, National Planning Commission and concerned ministries at the federal level may conduct monitoring and evaluation of
development activities to ensure quality and timely completion of projects and hold the concerned agencies accountable.
The bill authorises
the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers and the National Planning Commission to carry out meta-evaluation for assessment
and review of previous monitoring and evaluation conducted by other agencies.
The implementing agency may carry out monitoring and
evaluation of a project through a third party as well
The bill envisages an eight-member National Development Problems Solution Committee headed by the prime minister.
It includes all ministers
of the federal and provincial governments, NPC vice-chairperson and members, chief secretary, finance secretary and NPC secretary as
members.
Functions, duties and power of the committee are to review progress of development projects, issue directives regarding problems
encountered during project implementation, solve inter-ministry and policy problems, conduct investigation into performance of project chief
and carry out other functions as deemed necessary.
Each ministry of the federal government will have a 12-member Ministry Level Problem
Solution Committee led by the concerned ministry.
The committee shall be responsible to review implementation status of projects being
operated under it and ensure whether the concerned agency or official has conducted monitoring and evaluation for effective operation of the
project.
The NPC shall develop information system and networking through electronic means for systematic and speedy monitoring and
evaluation of projects.
All public entities shall be connected to such system
The bill also stipulates a provision of code of ethics to be followed by the concerned monitors and evaluators.
&The Government of Nepal may
reward the chief or employees of a project, who achieves significant progress during monitoring and evaluation
Any errant official shall be liable to departmental action under this bill and other penalties in accordance with the existing laws,& it
reads.
The bill authorises concerned agencies to include service providers and beneficiaries in the monitoring and evaluation team, besides
conducting public audit, social audit and public hearing to promote social accountability of development projects.
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Evaluation Bill tabled at NA appeared first on The Himalayan Times.
