During 1998-2002 DFID supported undivided Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha as part of their focus on Public Enterprise Reforms aiming at studying State Public Sector Enterprises (SPEs), looking at viable options for privatization or restricting for loss making units. DFID Odisha Public Enterprise Reforms Project (OPERP) was part of this initiative wherein the SPSEs were reviewed and various options were worked out including early retirement and Social Safety Net options for few of those. Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) was one of the selected units for which structural review was carried out. ASI, UK the lead consultant was entrusted by DFID to prepare structural options report for OSRTC.
Sutra Consulting was engaged by ASI, UK to make a research on road transport users and facilities in Odisha with specific reference to bus transport. The research aimed at reviewing various bus travel options for passengers in the entire state, route analysis with respect bus services and passenger load, choices of passengers, service comparison between OSRTC buses and other private players and a SWOT analysis for OSRTC. Our experts prepared an analytical report involving identification of services that are valued by public road public transport users and conduct comparative assessment of delivery of services by Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) and private bus operators. It also included assessing the prevailing industry structure, competition, quality of services, user's expectations and future industry scenario. Our output went on to help making the critical suggestions by ASI's structural option report.
The Kolkata Environmental Improvement Investment Program is a USD 286 Million programme of the Asian Development Bank aims to provide assistance to the project management unit of Kolkata Municipal Corporation in successfully communicating with the public about improving the quality and sustainability of water supply and sewerage operations in Kolkata Municipal Corporation area.
Sutra Consulting was engaged as Public Communication and Social Development Consultant for supporting this programme. Our team of experts were responsible for developing and providing information, education and communication materials in various paper and digital formats, provide strategic advice on public communication of the project, coordinate, organize and supervise various participation and consultation activities in accordance with the communication strategy and also developing public awareness in respect of the works and area concern. Since the program has been running in selected wards there were unique challenges involved. The communication strategy and related messages had to be very niche. At one hand there was a need of project branding targeted towards the entire city of Kolkata, on another hand, there was a need to communicate effectively to the local ward residents who were potentially affected due to the construction and repair work for the project. In addition, our team was also responsible for implementation of the effective gender mainstreaming initiative under the project following the Gender Action Plan. Our work has greatly helped in conceptualizing and implementing a 360' communication cycle. IEC materials developed and disseminated by our team included Newspapers Advertisements, Posters on various thematic components in Ward offices and construction sites, door to door distribution of Leaflets in selected wards, hoarding in prime locations, Unipole advertisements in important locations etc.
Regional plan for secondary and tertiary health care facilities in North Eastern Region by 2030 is a programme administered by the North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd. under Techno Economic Development Fund to improve the reach of the quality health care facility to the people of eight North East states namely Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura by the next decade. The project aims to support overall development of secondary and tertiary health care facilities in North East region with a focus on both the supply side and demand side of the health care system.
Sutra Consulting is engaged to develop a regional plan and strategy for up-gradation of secondary and tertiary health care facilities in North Eastern Region as part of which our team of experts is responsible for mapping the existing secondary and tertiary health care facility units - both public and private, conduct facility survey at the secondary and tertiary health care units, identify the need for specialty disciplines in medical courses, consult with key stakeholders, identify state specific innovative and successful case studies and assess financial requirement for up gradation across all 8 North Eastern states. Our team of advisors are developing relevant tools and cross functional methodologies which will help in identifying the gaps in the health facility, prepare guidelines for creation of specialty centres, improvement of overall delivery system, and in long run frame out appropriate plan and strategy for each of the 8 states to improve the reach of the quality health care facilities to the people.
