Preparation of 2nd Assam State Human Development Report

Aims & Objectives: The preparation of the second Assam State Human Development Report was entrusted to the OKDISCD and the Institute for Human Development (IHD), New Delhi by the Planning and Development Department, Government of Assam. To prepare a comprehensive and exhaustive SHDR.

Methodology Discussion: It was necessary to:

• Consider the state specificities and diversities despite largely following the 2010 UNDP framework;

• Use primary data (both quantitative and qualitative) and follow a participatory approach based on the inputs from different stakeholders;

• Incorporate a happiness/well‐being index for the state, besides providing standard indices in the line of the UNDP framework;

• Provide pointers for the progress in welfare interventions during the last ten years stressing on future policy imperatives;

• Strengthen the state’s statistical system in order to facilitate similar exercises in the future.

This project surveyed 40,194 households in 97 blocks, 1975 villages and 95 urban areas. It was the largest household survey conducted so far in the state; about ten times larger than the sample size of the National Sample Survey Organisation rounds and eight times more than that of the National Family Health Survey. A series of Focus Group Discussions, consultations at the levels of the state, district and sub‐divisions involving academia, bureaucracy and civil society were undertaken. Altogether 51 district and sub‐division level workshops were conducted to sensitise people and incorporate their views on myriad issues influencing human development outcomes. The details of the project are available at the following link