Proposed Framework In view of the inherent flaws in the present top down approach and keeping in mi nd the objectives

of Kerala Social Security Mission[1], we propose the following bottom up approach in the identification of needy beneficiaries and the associa ted filtering process culminating in an overall efficient disbursement of funds to those who really require it. The proposed approach involves a hybrid framework of innovative methods to ident ify beneficiaries, involvement of NGOs for the first round of filtering of appli cations from potential candidates, a second round of filtering of application, v erification and final selection by KSSM. The publicity and promotion of cause, s cheme and the intended benefactors will be done through newspapers, state owned TV ads and through the mobilization of NSS volunteers in schools and colleges th roughout the state. The first step involves the use Crowd sourcing techniques for the identification of beneficiaries. Crowd sourcing is the act of sourcing tasks traditionally per formed by specific individuals to an undefined large group of people or communit y (crowd) through an open call. [1] More specifically, the Social Welfare Depart ment of the Government of Kerala takes out several publicity campaigns through p rint and visual media as and when a new welfare scheme is launched. The ads will seek to draw people from the general public to identify people who are truly in need of the social security assistance, who in turn will be compensated through a commission and/or fixed cash rewards for their efforts if in case the person( s) they identify are eventually approved to be granted the benefits from KSSM. This method of crowdsourcing will eliminate the problems existing in the current system such as: Absence of dedicated group of manpower searching for suitable beneficiaries. Concerns of political influence and favoritism in the selection process. Schemes not reaching those who really need them due to absence of print, media a nd word of mouth publicity We believe that the above mentioned crowd sourcing methodology coupled with publ icity efforts would result in an exponential increase in the number of applicant s for the availing the benefits of the scheme. Hence the next step in the identi fication process involves the mobilization and active participation of NGOs spre ad throughout the state for short listing of applications. KSSM could take the h elp of NGOs for the first stage of a two stage filtration process for short list ing of genuine applicants. In this regard, a 24 hour toll-free helpline and a de dicated website would be set up by KSSM to make the application process simpler and easier. The identifier can assist the potential beneficiary in filling up th e application forms which be available both online and offline. The offline form s could be made available in the NGOs in the area, post offices and other govern ment offices/banks. The applicant would be required to submit attested copies of certificates/undertakings signed by appropriate authorities. The second stage of filtration of forms would be undertaken by KSSM itself by ve rifying the claims of the shortlisted applicants and checking the genuineness of the claims. Since the number of applications in this stage would be substantial ly lesser and the overall speed of the proposed framework is high. And since the control of the identification of final beneficiaries is with KSSM the issue of political influence is removed. Through their sustained interactions with the public, the NGOs would also work t owards finding out the gaps in the present schemes offered by KSSM and suggest n ew schemes thatll benefit those in need. All through the process, soon after KSSM announces the schemes through advertisements, the NGOs and the NSS volunteers c an take up the responsibility of spreading awareness through door to door visits in rural areas, through campaign marches and conducting special events to attra ct the attention of people in the surrounding areas. The NSS volunteers can be c alled for from the schools and colleges in and around the area. Model The basic model as explained above is depicted below.

The 2 stage filtering process of applications is as follows: Timeline We identify 4 significant phases in the project phase

1) Gestation Period: This will be the time used by KSSM to: Identify the set of causes it wants to work for. Number of causes may be capped based on the budget available and the workforce at hand Talks with local NGOs related to each cause identified and getting them on board for the project Allotting the list of tasks that need to performed by the NGO related to identif ying a potential candidate for the project Design posters to be put across in villages, ad campaigns to be telecasted on TV (separate one for each cause) Set up a 24*7 helpline to receive referrals Teaser ads to promote help and earn program wherein ads for each cause is shown a d the rewards for each referral and the contact details to inform are announced 2) Launch period A series of ad campaigns are telecasted in TV regularly. Promotional campaigns w ill be done through billboards and posters stuck in public places like bus stops , temples and post offices in rural areas Tie up with schools and colleges and engage the NSS scouts who are identified to work on the publicity initiative in their local areas Role plays, skits, road shows etc should be organized by the NGOs for quick and e ffective publicity of each cause paying separate attention to each cause and als o each village The campaign videos created will be made to go viral on websites like facebook, youtube etc 3) Action period Requests would be pouring in through the 24*7 helpline and KSSM needs to ensure that they be redirected to the corresponding NGO that works for the cause within in 24 hours including details like name, address, cause, referral details etc Background check will happen on each of these applicants from multiple routes li ke neighborhood, workplace/hospital visited in case of diseases like cancer etc Once approved by the NGO, second round of verification happens at KSSM If approved, KSSM adds the applicant on to its database and transfers amounts on regular basis as per policy Monitoring of the performance of each of the NGOs involved is done on the basis o f number of referrals, frequency of campaigns, effectiveness of the employees et c Complaint/feedback system to register any grievances/suggestions is also incorpo rated in the 24*7 helpline incase of any biases bserved in the selection process either at the NGO level or at the KSSM level 4) Reaping of Results This will be the stage when all the processes will be smoothened out, inefficien cies identified, improvements incorporated and cutting away of ineffective partn ers will be done. Expansion opportunities will be identified to affect the lives of more number of people The whole cycle of partnering, bringing awareness, making them work, monitoring the results etc will continue. Monitoring of the efficacy of the framework can be done through internal and ext ernal audits by NGO associations and governmental auditing agencies. Other optio ns include use of international quality and efficiency accreditation agencies th at can evaluate the effectiveness of the framework.

Advantages Issues Challenges Ensures fair processing because it involves many levels of processing and verifi cation Huge number of applications will pile up due to 24*7 helpline and reward ing referrals. Handling this will become tedious Finding the authenticity of the applicants might be a difficult task Involvement of volunteers at a local level helps in huge publicity cost effecti vely Monitoring of huge number of NGOs and ensuring fairness becomes a high priority, this being a government initiative Achieving maximum coverage at a small time can be done Getting NGOs inte rested and committed ,one for each of the causes identified becomes a significan t challenge References [1] http://www.socialsecuritymission.gov.in/rokdownloads/e%20books/book/ [2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crowdsourcing, retrieved 29th October, 2011