Introduction : Overall relevance of community based monitoring and planning

The adoption of a comprehensive framework for community-based monitoring and planning at various levels under NRHM is an extremely positive development, which can place centre-stage community members and beneficiaries, community based organizations and NGOs working with communities, along with Panchayat representatives, allowing them to actively and regularly monitor the progress of NRHM interventions in their areas. Besides ensuring accountability, it would also promote decentralized inputs for better planning of health activities, based on the locally relevant priorities and issues identified by various community representatives.