Answer:

Central government and state governments in India run a plethora of welfare schemes for different purposes. However multiplicity of schemes has created following problems:

♤ Overlap in the functions and target population of the schemes. Economic Survey 2013-14 cites the example of overlap in certain schemes such as the Aam Aadmi

Bima Yojana, Janashree Bima Yojana and Rashtriya Suraksha Bima Yojana, which

cater to the “same or similar category of population.”

♤ Lack of co-ordination between the implementing agencies

♤ High cost of implementation of multiple schemes puts a financial burden on the public exchequer

♤ Lack of awareness among beneficiaries about the benefits, eligibility of schemes, process and documentation and finally the grievance redressal mechanism.

Owing to such overlaps, the government constituted B. K. Chaturvedi committee for comprehensive reviewing of the Centrally Sponsored Schemes, on whose recommendations the government restructured merging of 147 schemes into 67 schemes.

Keeping these in mind, a host of government reports has pitched for convergence of certain welfare schemes and programmes to ensure better delivery and streamline expenditure. It’ll provide following benefits:

♤ Better co-ordination between the implementing agencies as they will be responsible for implementation of only few targeted scheme

♤ Cost saving of implementation of the government machinery.

♤ Better service delivery to the citizens. For example convergence of Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC) with National Rural Livelihood Mission can promote effective maintenance of the built up toilets. Convergence of TSC with Piped water scheme will avoid contamination of the drinking water bodies.

♤ Multiplicity of schemes confuses the citizens. A few but targeted schemes will create better awareness among them for their rights and entitlements.

♤ Convergence of service delivery platforms enable the people to avail the benefits easily.

Recently government has merged service delivery platform for Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana, Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana and the Indira Gandhi old age pension scheme.

Convergence of MNREGA with other schemes relating to agriculture, forests, water resources, land resources, rural roads, anganwadi centers, drinking water and sanitation can increase the productivity of such assets and resources under MGNREGA, which will help rural families to enhance the quality of their life with better livelihood methods. 12th Five Plan has also focuses on convergence of programmes.