Social Sector Planning: Assessment of the SATH Initiative

Recently, NITI Aayog has initiated SATH (Sustainable Action for Transforming Human capital), a unique and novel initiative to catalyze the change in social sectors. This programme was launched to identify and build three future ‘role model’ states for health and education sector. Once the states identified, the Aayog would work in close collaboration with the state machineries in these states to design a robust roadmap, develop a programme governance structure, establish monitoring and tracking mechanisms. SATH program is to be implemented by NITI Aayog along with McKinsey & Company and IPE Global consortium.

Consequently, as many as 14 states expressed interest and approached NITI Aayog. So far, five states were shortlisted as run up to the final selection of three. In health sector, these states are UP, Bihar, Assam, Karnataka and Gujarat. In Education sector, these states are MP, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh.

Assessing Potential of Initiative

With the SATH initiative, the NITI Aayog seeks to hold hands of these selected states and provide / push for more efficiency and in governance structures and service delivery for a period of 36 months. It is expected that efforts of these 36 months lead to a marked transformation; will also provide a model for other States to replicate and adapt.

We note here that the transformative changes in social sector are challenging, pace is slow in comparison to other sectors such as infrastructure. The social issues are always multilayered, complex and involve both governance and public. The intentions of NITI Aayog are novel but the states will also need to commit time bound focus, governance reforms, and delivery outcomes. The proposed tripartite partnership (state, NITI Aayog and a knowledge partner like Mc Kinsey) is not only interesting but also challenging because various indicators are already in public domain and pressure to bring out desired outcome will be from day 1.