Encouraged by the result of Pilot data, it was decided by the department to use this technology for the entire project. Accordingly, NICSI was asked to carry out the work through its empanelled vendor. NICSI empanelled private vendor through the process of tendering. Before the survey was conducted, repetitive training programs were conducted through SATCOM facility to create awareness about the process of filling up the forms. Training cum lectures were jointly organized by Department and NIC for APO, Monitoring, who played an important role at the District level. The main project was executed in different phases.
1. Coding and design of input survey form: Since this survey involved input data from all Villages
of Gujarat, each panchayat village was assigned a 05-digit code along with District and Taluka
code (District and Taluka codes are as per census 2001). Since conversion of survey data involved
scanning of all forms, the form was designed to suit the requirements of scanning to minimize
errors. Forms were filled up in English; however, for ease of understanding, the heading of each
column was described in Gujarati.
2. Training to Field staff about filling up the forms.
3. Training cum lectures for APO, Monitoring.
4. Survey at Field level by Gram Sevak, Teachers, and Panchayat staff.
5. District-wise scanning of forms and conversion of data to database.
6. Generation of error list through computer and correction of errors.
7. Verification of 10% of data by DRDA and correction of errors.
8. Compilation of data and generation of various query-based reports.
There are about 68 lakh families surveyed in rural Gujarat. A total of 19 parameters were captured, indicating the social and economic status of each family. Out of these, 13 parameters are used to generate a score for each family as per the guidelines of the Government of India. Each parameter can have a score ranging from 0 to 4. Thus, each family gets a score out of 52. Various State and District-wise reports indicating the number of families at each score were prepared and submitted to the department for further use. Online query modules are also prepared and available over GSWAN.
