What is the basic objective of the PACS Programme? What are the expected benefits?
The PACS Programme seeks to empower millions of poor people living in around a hundred of India’s poorest districts so that they can effectively realise their rights. The programme aims to achieve this by strengthening civil society organisations (CSOs) working for the poor in these districts. For more on the objectives of the programme, click here. As the PACS Programme does not address supply-side issues such as infrastructure or services, it is difficult to speak of expected benefits in quantitative terms. The qualitative benefits of the programme will be in terms of strengthened CSOs that have institutionalised the culture of good governance marked by the principles of accountability, transparency and predictability. Such CSOs with good management practices will be able to articulate the needs of the poorest more effectively. Further, initiatives aimed at promoting grassroots-level advocacy will empower the poorest to stand up for themselves and demand their rights.
