The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report West Bengal Institutional Strengthening of Gram Panchayats Program II (P159427) West Bengal Institutional Strengthening of Gram Panchayats Program II (P159427) SOUTH ASIA | India | Urban, Resilience and Land Global Practice | Requesting Unit: SACIN | Responsible Unit: SSAU1 IBRD/IDA | Program-for-Results Financing | FY 2017 | Team Leader(s): Vasudha Thawakar, Manvinder Mamak Seq No: 11 | ARCHIVED on 31-Mar-2022 | ISR50615 | Created by: Jyoti Sriram on 14-Mar-2022 | Modified by: Jyoti Sriram on 24-Mar-2022 Program Development Objectives PDO Table Program Development Objective (from Program Appraisal Document) The development objective of the proposed project is to further strengthen the institutional and financial capacities of Gram Panchayats across the State. Overall Ratings Name Previous Rating Current Rating Progress towards achievement of PDO Moderately Satisfactory Moderately Satisfactory Overall Implementation Progress (IP) Moderately Satisfactory Moderately Satisfactory Implementation Status and Key Decisions The State Government remains committed to the PDO of further strengthening the institutional and financial capacities of Gram Panchayats across the State. The Program has seen good performance by the Gram Panchayats (GPs) and the Program Management Unit, which are reflected in the Program results and disbursement linked indicators. Program implementation has, however, been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In Year 4, targets of two Key Performance Indicators and four of the eleven intermediate indicator targets were not met. Data on Financial Performance Disbursements (by loan) Project Loan/Credit/TF Status Currency Original Revised Cancelled Disbursed Undisbursed % Disbursed P159427 IBRD-87230 Effective USD 210.00 210.00 0.00 178.49 31.51 85% Key Dates (by loan) Project Loan/Credit/TF Status Approval Date Signing Date Effectiveness Date Orig. Closing Date Rev. Closing Date P159427 IBRD-87230 Effective 15-Mar-2017 22-Mar-2017 19-Apr-2017 31-Dec-2022 31-Dec-2022 DLI Disbursement Achievement Disbursed amount in Disbursement % for DLI ID DLI Type Description Coc DLI Amount Status Coc DLI Loan: IBRD87230-001 3/31/2022 Page 1 of 9 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report West Bengal Institutional Strengthening of Gram Panchayats Program II (P159427) Partially 1 Regular DLI USD 204,975,000.00 173,997,222.00 85 % Achieved PPF 2 PF refinancing -- 4,500,000.00 -- 3,970,791.09 88 % Refinancing Program Action Plan The Panchayat Act 1973 and West Bengal Panchayat (Gram Panchayat Accounts, Audit and Budget) Rules 2007 to Action Description be amended to revise the devolution framework, financial management systems and procurement systems in GPs Source DLI# Responsibility Timing Timing Value Status Technical Client Due Date 31-Dec-2018 Completed The draft of amended West Bengal Panchayat (Gram Panchayat Accounts, Audit and Budget) Rules 2007 submitted Completion Measurement to legislature for approval The Government has informed the Bank that no further amendments to the Panchayat Act are envisaged in near Comments future. Therefore, this action was revised during Program Restructuring in March 2021. Internal Audit in GPs -Establish internal audit processes, train PAAOs/PDOs and jointly conduct internal audits under Action Description risk-based principles in GPs, as part of on-the-job training by ISGPP cell Source DLI# Responsibility Timing Timing Value Status Fiduciary Systems Client Due Date 31-Aug-2017 Completed ISGPP Cell will engage a professional firms/institutions to review internal audit processes, train PAAOs/ PDOs and Completion Measurement jointly conduct internal audits under risk-based principles, as part of on-the-job training Comments This action has been completed. New three element Grievance Redressal and Complaints Handling Mechanism to be effectively implemented by Action Description PRDD Source DLI# Responsibility Timing Timing Value Status Fiduciary Systems Client Due Date 28-Apr-2017 Completed Completion Measurement Grievance Redressal Management System fully operational Comments Action Description Enhancing the negative list of activities by ISGPP cell. Source DLI# Responsibility Timing Timing Value Status Environmental and Social Client Recurrent Yearly Completed Systems ESMF Updated incorporating the supplementary list of negative activities. This activity was complied Completion Measurement with by the agreed date. 3/31/2022 Page 2 of 9 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report West Bengal Institutional Strengthening of Gram Panchayats Program II (P159427) Comments Share with GP and other relevant stakeholders the approach and methodology for securing lands for civil works by Action Description ISGPP cell/PRDD. Source DLI# Responsibility Timing Timing Value Status Environmental and Social Client Due Date 08-Feb-2017 Completed Systems Revise the current ESMF including the agreed rules governing securing lands for civil construction. Create Completion Measurement awareness about the same across all the stakeholders and ensure its compliance by GPs. This activity was complied with by the agreed date. Comments ESMF capacity building for all the development entities - PRIs and Line Departments - through Action Description appropriate orientation programs by ISGPP Cell/PRDD Source DLI# Responsibility Timing Timing Value Status Environmental and Social Client Due Date 31-Dec-2017 Completed Systems Completion Measurement Issuance of a directive to all the PRIs for the adoption of revised ESMF. Comments Risks Systematic Operations Risk-rating Tool Risk Category Rating at Approval Previous Rating Current Rating Political and Governance Moderate Moderate Moderate Macroeconomic Moderate Moderate Moderate Sector Strategies and Policies Low Low Low Technical Design of Project or Program Moderate Moderate Moderate Institutional Capacity for Implementation and Substantial Substantial Substantial Sustainability Fiduciary Substantial Substantial Substantial Environment and Social Moderate Substantial Substantial Stakeholders Moderate Moderate Moderate Other Low Moderate Moderate Overall Substantial Substantial Substantial 3/31/2022 Page 3 of 9 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report West Bengal Institutional Strengthening of Gram Panchayats Program II (P159427) RiskComments Comments The risk ratings for Institutional Capacity for Implementation & Sustainability, Fiduciary, and Environmental and Social are being retained as Substantial consistent with the performance of the Program in these areas. The third wave of COVID-19 (Dec 2021- Feb 2022) has impacted Program implementation and field level work; however, the State is gradually easing the number of restrictions, and the previous Moderate rating (under “Other”) has been retained. Results PDO Indicators by Objectives / Outcomes PDO level indicators IN01115896 ►Total number of GPs that qualify BMCs and EMCs annually in APAs (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 40.00 61.00 61.00 70.00 Date 19-Apr-2017 22-Jan-2021 22-Jan-2021 30-Jun-2021 Depsite an overall increase in performance of GPs, the Program failed to meet this PDO indicator in Year 4. Comments Year 5 results are yet to be finalized as APA 2020 is currently underway. IN01115897 ►Average Percentage of performance based untied grants utilized by the GPs (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 55.00 47.00 47.00 75.00 Date 19-Apr-2017 22-Jan-2021 22-Jan-2021 30-Jun-2021 The Program failed to achieve this PDO indicator in Year 4. Grant utilization percentage has reduced from Comments 61% to 47%. Year 5 results are yet to be finalized as APA 2020 is currently underway. Intermediate Results Indicators by Results Areas Establishing a state wide unified performance based grant allocation system for all discretionary funds available for GPs IN01115898 ►Annual performance assessment of at least 95% GPs conducted (Date, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 19-Apr-2017 22-Jan-2021 22-Jan-2021 30-Sep-2020 Date 19-Apr-2017 22-Jan-2021 22-Jan-2021 30-Sep-2020 Completion of APA 2020 has been substantially delayed due to the third wave of COVID-19 (Dec 2021 to Comments Feb 2022). Consequently, PBG disbursements are also delayed. IN01115902 3/31/2022 Page 4 of 9 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report West Bengal Institutional Strengthening of Gram Panchayats Program II (P159427) ►Performance based grant allocation (as per APA results) completed annually (Date, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 31-Jan-2017 27-Jul-2021 27-Jul-2021 31-Oct-2020 Date 19-Apr-2017 27-Jul-2021 27-Jul-2021 31-Oct-2020 Completion of APA 2020 has been substantially delayed due to the third wave of COVID-19 (Dec 2021 to Feb 2022). disbursements are also delayed. Comments Improved local government finances and financial management systems in GPs IN01115899 ►Improved PFM systems (accounting, financial reporting and audit) in the GPs (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 53.00 73.70 73.70 73.00 Date 19-Apr-2017 22-Jan-2021 22-Jan-2021 30-Jun-2021 The overall financial performance of the GPs improved in Year 4. Year 5 results are yet to be finalized as Comments APA 2020 is currently underway. IN01115903 ►Increase in GP’s own source revenue (Amount(USD), Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 18,000,000.00 24,769,231.00 24,769,231.00 26,353,800.00 Date 19-Apr-2017 22-Jan-2021 22-Jan-2021 30-Jun-2021 Comments Currently, last year’s number is provided. This will be updated in the next Mission. . Improved local governance and HR capacities for increased transparency and accountability in local government functioning IN01115901 ►Improved participation, transparency and accountability in the GPs (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 53.00 50.50 50.50 73.00 Date 19-Apr-2017 22-Jan-2021 22-Jan-2021 30-Jun-2021 This performance has reduced in this indicator from 59% to 50.50% in Year 4. Year 5 results are yet to be Comments finalized as APA 2020 is currently underway. IN01115905 ►Number of vacancies (in 3 key GP staff positions) filled annually in the GPs (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target 3/31/2022 Page 5 of 9 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report West Bengal Institutional Strengthening of Gram Panchayats Program II (P159427) Value 55.00 75.00 75.00 0.00 Date 19-Apr-2017 22-Jan-2021 22-Jan-2021 30-Jun-2021 Currenlty, GP level recruitment is not being undertaken. Comments IN01115907 ►Percentage of women elected representatives mentored (physical/virtual mode) in remote GPs (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 80.00 80.00 70.00 Date 01-Feb-2021 30-Jul-2021 30-Jul-2021 30-Jun-2021 This is a new indicator for Year 4 measuring the percentage of women elected representatives mentored in Comments remote GPs. Improve the decentralized & participatory planning and budgeting mechanisms at the local level IN01115900 ►Improved project execution and service delivery capacity at GP level (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 65.00 52.30 52.30 85.00 Date 19-Apr-2017 22-Jan-2021 22-Jan-2021 30-Jun-2021 The project execution capacity has remained constant in Year 4 and the Program has failed to meet this Comments indicator. Year 5 results are yet to be finalized as APA 2020 is currently underway. IN01115904 ►Improved planning & budgeting capacity at the GP level (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 55.00 62.00 62.00 75.00 Date 19-Apr-2017 22-Jan-2021 22-Jan-2021 30-Jun-2021 The planning and budgeting performance of the GPs has reduced marginally and the indicator has not been Comments met in Year 4. Year 5 results are yet to be finalized as APA 2020 is currently underway. IN01115906 ►Total number of beneficiaries, disaggregated by gender (male and female) (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 11.00 11.00 10.00 Date 19-Apr-2017 22-Jan-2021 22-Jan-2021 30-Jun-2021 In Year 4, there was a gradual increase in total number of beneficiaries with 27.5 million female Comments beneficiaries accessing PBGs. Year 5 results are yet to be finalized as APA 2020 is currently underway. IN01115908 ►Total number of ST GPs qualifying for EMC (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target 3/31/2022 Page 6 of 9 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report West Bengal Institutional Strengthening of Gram Panchayats Program II (P159427) Value 5.00 56.76 56.76 30.00 Date 19-Apr-2017 22-Jan-2021 22-Jan-2021 30-Jun-2021 An increase of 6 ST GPs in Year 4. In total, 63 GPs out of 111 ST GPs qualified for EMCs. Year 5 results Comments are yet to be finalized as APA 2020 is currently underway. IN01115909 ►Total number of SC GPs qualifying for EMC (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 20.00 50.63 50.63 45.00 Date 19-Apr-2017 22-Jan-2021 22-Jan-2021 30-Jun-2021 An increase of 43 SC GPs in Year 4. In total 404 GPs out of SC 798 GPs qualified for EMCs. Comments Disbursement Linked Indicators DLI_IND_TABLE ►DLI 1 1. Number of phase II Gram Panchayats (GPs) that have qualified Basic Mandatory Conditions (BMCs) in Annual Performance Assessment (Output, 37,114,675.00, 71%) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) Year 5 Value 0.00 1,923.00 1,923.00 -- Date 15-Mar-2017 22-Jan-2021 22-Jan-2021 -- In Year 4, 10% more GPs qualfied in DLI 1. However, Year 5 results are delayed due to the third wave of Comments COVID 19. APA 2020 is currently underway. ►DLI 2 2. Number of phase II Gram Panchayats that have qualified Expanded Mandatory Conditions (EMCs) and got access to performance rewards in Annual Performance Assessment (Output, 102,185,325.00, 46%) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) Year 5 Value 0.00 1,330.00 1,330.00 1,562.00 Date 15-Mar-2017 22-Jan-2021 22-Jan-2021 -- Overall, the Program has improved its performance in Y4 with an additional 317 GPs qualifying in DLI 2. Year Comments 5 results are delayed due to the third wave of COVID 19. APA 2020 is currently underway. ►DLI 3 3. Percentage of activities implemented as per PRDD’s annual learning and training plan (Output, 11,475,000.00, 64%) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) Year 5 Value 0.00 103.00 103.00 85.00 Date 15-Mar-2017 30-Jul-2021 30-Jul-2021 -- During Year 4, the Program conducted 396 training event and trained 12,237 participants including engineers Comments and executive staff at GPs. Assessment for Year 5 is yet to be undertaken. 3/31/2022 Page 7 of 9 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report West Bengal Institutional Strengthening of Gram Panchayats Program II (P159427) ►DLI 4 4. Average number of annual mentoring input days per Gram Panchayat with performance assessment (Output, 26,000,000.00, 60%) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) Year 5 19 days of onsite mentoring input and Value 0.00 24.11 24.11 performance of 75% mentors assessed. Date 15-Mar-2017 30-Jul-2021 30-Jul-2021 -- Although the Program has consistently achieved this DLI, the mentor training days in Year 4 have decreased from 88,545 days to 77,865 days; a Y-O-Y reduction of 13.7%. DLI verification for Year 5 is yet to be Comments undertaken. ►DLI 5 5 a) Core institutional systems implemented by PRDD across all GPs for Gram Panchayat Management System (GPMS), Web- Based Monitoring System (WBMS) & GIS (Process, 8,000,000.00, 18%) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) Year 5 (a) Module on preparation, submission and approvals of scheme estimates and design developed and rolled out as part of integrated GPIMS to all GPs (b) A comprehensive analytical tool developed and available in GPMS core module under Value Not achieved Not achieved production mode, implementation using key information available in the existing GP systems to generate state level standard (pre-programmed) reports on the performance of GPs (based on certain parameters).Allocate d amount for Year 5(a) 1,000,000(b) 1 ,200,000 Date 15-Mar-2017 30-Jul-2021 30-Jul-2021 -- The Program has failed to meet the indicators in Year 4. Having said that, migration of GPMS from a stand- alone system to a web-based platform was completed in August 2021. Thereafter, GPMS-GPIMS interfacing Comments was completed in November 2021 and the interlinked systems went live on December 1, 2021. The results will be updated once the Year 5 DLI verification exercise is completed. ►DLI 6 5 b) Core institutional systems implemented by PRDD across all GPs for Grievance Redressal Management System (GRMS) (Process, 2,700,000.00, 11%) 3/31/2022 Page 8 of 9 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report West Bengal Institutional Strengthening of Gram Panchayats Program II (P159427) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) Year 5 (a) 80% grievances Redressed. (b ) Provide onsite mentoring support (physical/virtual) to Roadmap for GRMS 70% women elected Value 86.54 86.54 developed representatives across the universe of remote GPs. Allocated amount: (a) 300,000 and (b) 300 ,000 Date 15-Mar-2017 30-Jul-2021 30-Jul-2021 -- During the year (Feb 19 to Jan 20), the Program received 5,952 grievances out of which 5,151 were resolved Comments within March 2020. DLI verification for Year 5 is yet to be undertaken. ►DLI 7 6. Annual Performance Assessments (APA) conducted by PRDD (Process, 16,000,000.00, 40%) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) Year 5 APA completed for 95% of GPs and results included in APA 2019 completed in APA 2019 completed in annual PBG Value APA under progress January 2021. January 2021. announcement for West-Bengal FY21/22. Date 15-Mar-2017 22-Jan-2021 22-Jan-2021 -- Completion of APA 2020 has been substantially delayed due to the third wave of COVID-19. Consequently, Comments PBG disbursements are also delayed. ►DLI 8 7: Targeted number of vacant core Gram Panchayat positions filled for a) Executive Assistant b) GP Secretary c) Nirman Sahayak (Process, 1,500,000.00, 33%) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) Year 5 Value 0.00 -- -- -- Date 15-Mar-2017 09-May-2019 09-May-2019 -- This DLI (7) was deleted during the Restructuring Program in March 2021 Comments 3/31/2022 Page 9 of 9