Proceedings and Papers of the First Conference of the Heads of State Evaluation Organisations

Abstract

The Programme Evaluation Organisation (PEO) was set up in 1952 in the Planning Commission, initially with the objective of evaluating concurrently the work of the National Extension and Community Development Programmes. It was in the Third Five Year Plan that the PEO extended its activities to other rural development programmes. The process of setting up evaluation organisations at the State level was also initiated during the Third Plan period. However, a significant progress in this respect was made only during the Fourth Five Year Plan. With the new priorities of the 1978-83 Plan focussing attention on rural development and in view of adoption of district and block level planning concept, evaluation has further acquired a critical importance. In view of this increased importance of evaluation, the Planning Commission held a Conference of the Heads of State Evaluation Organisations.