Event: INDO-USAID FIRE-D Steering Committee Meeting 

Date: 20 June 2008

Venue: NIUA, New Delhi

Home

n Indo-USAID Financial Institutions Reform and Expansion (FIRE-D) Project Steering Committee meeting was organized in the Institute on 20 June 2008. Prof. Chetan Vaidya, Director, NIUA welcomed the participants from Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD), USAID and FIRE Project.

Mr. A.K. Mehta, Joint Secretary, MoUD chaired the Steering Committee meeting. Other participants included Mr. Daniel Miller, Office Director, USAID and Ms. Archana Walia, Senior Urban Adviser, USAID and Ms. Rebecca Black, Director, USAID-Economic Growth (EG), Mr. Lee Baker, Chief of Party, USAID FIRE (D) Project and officials working on FIRE Project from NIUA.

Dr. Mukesh Mathur and Dr. Debjani Ghosh in a joint presentation provided a brief background to the FIRE (D) Project and role of NIUA in the project by pursuing activities in the areas of (i) policy promotion, (ii) Training and capacity building activities, (iii) Impact analysis of the programmes and the projects, and (iv) Information dissemination through its newsletters, website and best practice documentation. The presentation detailed out the achievements so far under various heads and how these activities support expected outcomes of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). While concluding, the presentation also outlined a broad activity plan for the next eighteen months.

Mr. Lee Baker from TCGI/ PADCO in his presentation briefly outlined the goal and objectives of the FIRE (D) project, progress of key activities and approach for the new focused role of FIRE (D) in water supply, sanitation and health/hygiene improvements. He also highlighted outcomes and results expected from FIRE project by September 2010.

The meeting concluded with remarks from Mr. A.K. Mehta, who applauded the work and achievements of FIRE-D Project in helping municipal and state governments to create a supportive environment for cities to initiate vital reforms. He mentioned that the Project has achieved significant results since it was launched in 1994 and now in its last mile it is still committed to its goal.

Mr. Mehta mentioned that NIUA and FIRE Project has also provided tremendous support by helping the Government of India in formulating the reform programme and launching the JNNURM.

Prof. Vaidya bid farewell to Ms. Rebecca Black who completed her five-year term in the USAID India Mission. The meeting ended with vote of thanks to the Chair.