Calling the CBI and the CAG two pathologists who do mostly post-mortems, Union rural development minister Jairam Ramesh on Friday said that he has proposed to establish an independent network of institutions to undertake concurrent evaluation of all projects of his ministries. He said the idea is to have not only financial performance reports but also physical performance feedback on the real time basis.

Taking part in the social editors’ conference here, Mr Jairam Ramesh said that the Central Bureau of Investigation and CAG undertake only post-mortem once the funds have been spent. “They are two pathologists. If we are to take action in a way that the projects are implemented as intended, we need to have concurrent evaluation,” said Mr Ramesh, while explaining that a network of 60 to 70 research institutions would be set up, who would coordinate with a team of officials in his office.
“This will enable us to take corrective steps even while the project is being executed unlike the current situation where the Centre is helpless after releasing the fund,” added Jairam Mr Ramesh.