Stakeholder Approach

A stakeholder approach was incorporated in the methodology adopted by EEI from the initial stages. We consider the research and the donor community as important stakeholders. Our initial learning was from the EEI efforts executed successfully by the Asia Foundation in some of the Asian countries. This came with a considerable body of literature. Subsequently, our discussion with one of the key researchers in the Asia Foundation’s EEI team, Prof. Edmund Malesky, played a pivotal role in shaping the methodology. This learning was incorporated in our project proposal to the British High Commission (BHC) which, after a careful perusal, provided their inputs. It was BHC’s recommendation to incorporate environment as one the indices for construction of the index.

Meanwhile, a presentation was made to the Tamil Nadu State Planning Commission on the EEI concept note and methodology. The State Planning Commission brought out a detailed report with queries and suggestions. These were incorporated in the methodology. Thus, the State Government is another key stakeholder in this effort.

Once the proposal was accepted by BHC, we established a partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) at its Tamil Nadu chapter. The CII enabled crucial meetings with the industry and entrepreneurs, both small and large across different regions in the state. The EEI methodology and concept was explained in detail during these meetings and the views were incorporated. Finally, our partnership with the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy helped us to get the voice of the economic constituents – both households and firms across the state. In particular, the views of the Secretary to the Government of Tamil Nadu, Department of Industries was sought, and incorporated. Once the questionnaire was developed, CDF, along with CMIE, circulated them widely.