The Dialogue and Development Commission of Delhi is the think-tank of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi, advising the Government in finding sustainable, people centric solutions to the critical development challenges facing Delhi.
DDC Delhi has the following four broad functions:
1. Policy Design: Consider ideas, innovations, best practices nationally and globally, evidence of impact in a core set of policy areas and translate them into concrete policy recommendations for the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi.
2. Support Policy Implementation: Support expeditious implementation of critical reforms by developing innovative models of contracting, model RFPs, leveraging technology and by actively bridging knowledge and capacity gaps, if any.
3. Promote Participatory Governance: Establish platforms that bridge the gap between government and external stakeholders such as the private sector, civil society, academia and communities in effective design and implementation of policies and government schemes.
4. Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning: Promote the use of data, evidence and modern monitoring and evaluation techniques for improved policy-making and better delivery of public services. Further, document the impact of reforms and policy innovations of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi to facilitate internal and external learning.
To fulfill its mandate, the Dialogue and Development Commission of Delhi’s work is organized around the following six sectors/verticals:
I. Social Sector: The Social Sector team advises and assists the Government’s work in following areas:
- Provide world-class education to every child, from early childhood education and higher education with a particular focus on outcomes of quality education;
- Provide affordable and accessible healthcare facilities for all within the framework of a three-tiered universal healthcare system comprising of Mohalla Clinics, polyclinics and hospitals for tertiary care;
- Ensure the welfare, social security and safety of all vulnerable sections such as children, women, elderly, SCs/STs, transgender, unorganized workers etc.
II. Environment: The Environment team advises and assists the Government’s work in the following areas:
- Reduce air pollution and carbon emissions substantially from current levels by forming a scientific understanding of underlying sources, and implementing innovative, evidence-backed mitigation measures;
- Clean-up Yamuna by ensuring no untreated water flows into the Yamuna and develop a beautiful river side on the Yamuna, which will play a big role in maintaining the Yamuna Ecosystem and creating a new tourist destination;
- Make Delhi among India’s cleanest cities by working in close coordination with Municipal Corporations to get rid of open dhalaos and institute modern practices for collection, transportation & disposal of solid waste.
III. Transport and Infrastructure: The Transport and Infrastructure team advises and assists the Government’s work in the following areas:
- Create a world-class and affordable public transportation system comprising of buses, metro and efficient last-mile connectivity that gives priority to electric vehicles and non-motorized modes of transport;
- Build well-designed, beautifully landscaped and safe roads that cater to the needs of all its users – the essential hallmark of a world-class city;
- Provide dignified housing and essential services to all residents of Delhi with a focus on the needs of slum dwellers and residents of unauthorized colonies.
IV. Economy: The Economy team advises and assists the Government’s work in the following areas:
- Undertake reform measures for the continued growth of Delhi’s economy including modernization of market and industrial areas, furthering the ease of doing business, nurturing the growth of culture and creative economy and establishing Delhi as the nation’s hub for startups;
- Promote the growth of quality jobs and employment opportunities by investing in world-class skill training and better industry-government collaboration in labor-intensive sectors;
- Undertake all possible steps to increase the participation of women in Delhi’s economy, including initiatives that connect housewives with job and business opportunities from or near their homes.
V. Governance: The Governance team advises and assists the Government’s work in the following areas:
- Establish and nurture platforms of participatory governance that bridge the gap between government and external stakeholders such as the private sector, civil society, academia and communities ineffective design and implementation of government schemes and policies;
- Undertake appropriate administrative and institutional reforms to ensure that public institutions and governance in Delhi is capable of serving the needs and aspirations of the national capital of 21st century India;
- Encourage the usage of modern IT and e-governance tools for transparent and efficient administration;
- Promote a culture of research and innovation to address the most critical development challenges facing Delhi.
VI. Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning: This team advises and assists the Government’s work in the following areas:
- Strengthen the use of data and modern monitoring tools such as Outcome budgeting, performance dashboards, high-frequency monitoring etc. for timely course corrections and improved policy implementation;
- Conduct independent surveys and rigorous evaluations of government schemes and policies, either internally (for small/rapid assessments) or in collaboration with external organizations to generate insights on which programmed work and why;
- Act as a knowledge hub on policy innovations and impact of various reforms of Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi and facilitate internal and external learning by publishing policy briefs, case studies, white papers etc. and hosting seminars and conferences.