MAHATMA GANDHI NATIONAL RURAL EMPLOYMENT GUARANTEE ACT (MGNREGA): A REALITY OR RHETORIC By- Jairaj Singh Rathore 1
BACKGROUND: The Constitution of India refers to the Right to Work under the ―Directive Principles of State Policy‖. Article 39 envisages the state to ensure that citizens, men and women equally have the right to an adequate means to livelihood. Further, Article 41 emphasizes that the State within the limits of its economic capacity and development will make effective provision for securing ‗Right to Work‘. This was to be achieved through a systematic public intervention in terms of policies and planning popularly known as Five Year Plans. The first Five Year Plan (1951-56) stressed on full employment with minimum wages to the newly employed. Though this broad approach has been followed all-through the Five Year Plans, the direct anti-poverty programmes including employment generation schemes were started from the Sixth Five Year plan (1982-87) onwards. The major schemes introduced by the Central Government are: National Rural Employment Programme (NREP) 1980-89; Rural Landless Employment Guarantee Programme (RLEGP) 1983-89; National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) etc. National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) is possibly the most ambitious income security programme for India‘s rural poor in Post Independent India. About 30 percent of Indians are living in absolute poverty but in actual terms it moves up to as much as 77 percent. Most of the vulnerable are from scheduled castes and tribes, the minorities and other backward classes (OBCs). They also happen to have very low or negligible land holdings and any other assets to speak of other than their labour power. The rural poor principally comprise of landless labourers, who are not even assured of finding work on a daily basis. It is in this context that the NREGS assumes importance since it guarantees 100 days of work to anyone desirous of it at the t he minimum wage. wage.
1
Jairaj Singh Rathore, a student of University School of Law & Legal Studies, GGS Indraprastha University, Delhi110403. E-mail –
[email protected]
Page 1 of 16
INTRODUCTION:
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act or MGNREGA is an Indian job guarantee scheme, enacted by legislation on August 25, 2005.
The scheme provides a legal guarantee for one hundred days of employment in every financial year to adult members of any rural household willing to do public workrelated unskilled manual work at the statutory minimum wage of Rs.60 per day.
This act was introduced with an aim of improving the purchasing power of the rural people, primarily semi or un-skilled work to people living in rural I ndia
MGNREGA is designed as a safety net to reduce migration by rural poor households in the lean period through
The MGNREGA is an important step towards realisation of the right to work. It is expected to enhance people‘s livelihood security on a sustained basis, by developing economic and social infrastructure in rural areas.
MGNREGA is the flagship programme of the UPA Government that directly touches lives of the poor and promotes inclusive growth.
The Act aims at enhancing livelihood security of households in rural areas of the country.
MGNREGA is the first ever law internationally, that guarantees wage employment at an unprecedented scale.
Dr. Jean Drèze, a Belgian born economist, at the Delhi School of Economics, has been a major influence on this project.
Aruna Roy was one of the chief campaigners for the original scheme.
OBJECTIVES OF THE ACT:
Strengthening grassroots processes of democracy
Increase in the wage employment in rural areas.
Strengthening the management of natural resource through works that address causes of poverty like drought, deforestation and soil erosion and so encourage sustainable development. Page 2 of 16
Infusing accountability and transparency and in governance.
Strengthening decentralization and deepening processes of democracy by giving a crucial role to the Panchayati Raj Institutions in planning, monitoring and implementation.
FEATURES AT HAND:
First such effort in the world wo rld to provide legal guarantee for the Right to Work.
Covers all districts of the country.
All rural households in rural areas, whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work eligible.
Job card under the Act is the right of every rural household willing to work on MGNREGA and applies for it.
Choice of works done through village level plans and 50% or more of work to be executed by Panchayati Raj institutions. institut ions.
One of the most distinguishing features of the MGNREGA is its approach towards empowering citizens to play an active role in the implementation of employment guarantee schemes, through gram sabhas, social audit, participatory planning and other activities.
Work focuses on areas like water conservation; land development, provision of irrigation facility on private land of people below the poverty line, rural connectivity etc.
Contractors banned in MGNREGA works.
Payment made through post office and bank accounts.
Unemployment allowance to be paid if Government unable to provide jobs within 15 days of application.
All muster rolls put up on the internet.
Social audit made mandatory.
The Act mandates 33% participation for women.
Page 3 of 16
IMPLEMENTATION IMPLEMENTATION OF ACT: The following image shows the key processes in the implementation of MGNREGA: th
Cost sharing: Central Government shares 3/4 th Government shares 1/4 .
Adult members of rural households submit their name, age and address with photo to the Gram Panchayat.
The Gram Panchayat registers households after making enquiry and issues a job card.
The job card contains the details of adult member enrolled and his/her photo.
Registered person can submit an application for work in writing (for at least fourteen days of continuous work) either to Panchayat or to the Programme Officer.
The panchayat/programme officer will accept the valid application and issue dated receipt of application, letter providing work will be sent to the applicant and also displayed at panchayat office.
The employment will be provided within a radius of 5 km: if it is above 5 km extra wage will be paid.
If employment under the scheme is not provided within fifteen days of receipt of the application daily unemployment unemployment allowan a llowance ce will be paid to the t he applicant.
of the total cost and the State
IMPLEMENTATION IMPLEMENTATION MECHANISM: The given chart displays mechanism of implementation and the key bodies and functionaries that are responsible for the effective implementation of the Act. According to the MGNREGA Operational Guidelines, the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of Rural Development, Government of India is the nodal Ministry for the implementation of MGNREGA. It is required to set up the Central Council which will be responsible for ensuring timely and adequate resource support to the states. It will undertake regular review, monitoring and evaluation of processes and outcomes. outcomes. It will establish a Management Management Information I nformation System (MIS) to capture and track data on every critical aspect of implementation, and assess the utilization of r esources through a set of o f performance Page 4 of 16
indicators. It will support innovations that help in improving processes towards the achievement of the objectives of the Act. It will support the use of Information Technology (IT) to increase the efficiency and transparency of the processes as well as improve interface with the public. It will also ensure that the implementation of MGNREGA at all levels is sought to be made transparent and accountable to the public.
Mahatma Gandhi
Ministry of Rural
Central Employment
National Rural
Development (MRD)
Guarantee Council (CEGC)
Employment Guarantee Act Guaran Guarantee tee 2005 State Government
State Employment Guarantee
State Employment
Scheme (SEGC)
Guarantee Council
District Panchayat
District Programme Coordinator
Block Panchayat
Programme Officer
Gram Panchayat (GP)/
Gram Panchayat &
Implementing Implementing Agency (IA)
Gram Sabha
Implementation Mechanism
CENTRAL EMPLOYMENT GUARANTEE COUNCIL (CEGC)
The MGNREGA operational guidelines indicate that the Central Employment Council (CEGC) will be responsible for advising the Central Government on MGNREGA-related matters, and the implementation of the Act. It shall prepare Annual Reports on the implementation of MGNREGA and submit these to the Parliament.
Page 5 of 16
THE STATE GOVERNMENT
As per the MGNREG Act, 2005, the State Government has to formulate a Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (REGS), and the Rules relevant to its implementation, under Section 4 of the Act. It will set up the SEGC (State Employment Guarantee Council) as stated under Section 12 and also designate an officer as the State Rural Employment Guarantee Commissioner responsible for ensuring that all activities required to fulfil the objectives of the act are carried out. It will ensure that the State Share of the t he REGS budget is released released on time. t ime. It will ensure wide communication of the Scheme and dissemination of information regarding its implementation. It will ensure all administrative, financial and technical support to t he District Programme Coordinator, Programme Officer, Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRIs) and all other agencies involved in implementation.
STATE EMPLOYMENT GUARANTEE COUNCIL (SEGC)
The SEGC is required to advise the State Government on the implementation of the Scheme, and evaluate and monitor it. It will also decide on the ‗preferred works‘ to be implemented under REGS, and prepare Annual Reports for submission to the State Legislature.
DISTRICT PANCHAYAT
Further the operational guidelines state that the District Panchayat will be responsible for finalising the District Plans and for monitoring and supervising the REGS in the District. It can also execute works from among the 50% that are not to be implemented by the Gram Panchayats. The State Government will designate a District programme Co-ordinator (DPC), who shall be responsible for the overall coordination and implementation of the Scheme in the District.
BLOCK LEVEL PANCHAYAT
The Block Panchayat will be responsible for planning at the Block level, and for monitoring and supervision. It can also be g iven the responsibility responsibility of o f executing works from among the 50% that are not to be executed by the Gram Panchayat. A full-time officer will be appointed as the Programme Officer at the Block level, who shall be responsible for co-ordinating the works undertaken by the Gram Panchayat and the implementing agencies at the Block level.
GRAM SABHA
The Gram Panchayat has a pivotal role in the implementation of REGS as per the MGNREGA operational guidelines. It is responsible for planning of works, registering households, issuing job cards, allocating employment, executing 50% of works, and monitoring the implementation of the Scheme at the village level. The Gram Sabha should also facilitate the implementation of the Scheme, by acting as a
Page 6 of 16
forum for sharing the information about the Scheme, and also in ensuring transparency and accountability.
FUNDING PATTERN: The government of India has established a fund called the National Employment Guarantee Fund, from which grants are released released directly direct ly to Districts. Revolving funds are to be set up under REGS at the District, Block and Gram Panchayat levels, with separate bank accounts being opened for such funds at each level. Each Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme is required to have the minimum features specified in Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 of the Act. Section 4 of the Act also provides that until such a Scheme is notified by the State Government, the Annual or Perspective Plan of the Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana (SGRY) or national Food for Work Programme (NFFWP), whichever is in force is that area, shall be deemed to be the action plan for the Scheme for the purposes of the Act. These guidelines have been formulated to facilitate the design and implementation of Rural Employment Guarantee Schemes. They should be interpreted as a broad operational framework, around which further provisions may be built, taking into account the State‘s economic, social and institutional inst itutional context. The Act is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme on a cost sharing basis the Centre and the States. The Central government government will bear all costs, other than the following:
25% of the cost material and wages for semi-skilled/skilled workers; Unemployment Unemployment allowance; and Administrative expens expenses es of the State Employment Employment Guarantee Council.
PERMISSIBLE WORKS UNDER MGNREGA 2005: The intention of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is to provide a basic employment guarantee in rural areas. The Act indicates the kinds of works that may be taken up for this purpose. As per Schedule I of the Act, the t he focus of the Rural Employment Employment Guarantee Scheme (REGS) shall be on the following works:
Water Conservation and water harvesting. Drought proofing, including afforestation and tree tr ee plantation. Irrigation canals including micro and minor minor irrigation works. Irrigation facilities for landowners by households belonging to SC/ST or to land of beneficiaries of the INDIRA AWAAS YOJANA. Renovation of traditional water bodies, including de-sitting of tanks. Land development Flood control and protection of works, wor ks, including including drainage dr ainage of water-logged areas. Page 7 of 16
Rural connectivity to provide all weather roads. r oads. Any other work, which may be notified by the Central government in consultation with the state governments. governments.
BIGGEST CONTRIBUTION: Transparency and accountability to the poorest and the weakest is in fact the biggest potential contribution of the MGNREGA to the entire governance system. The MGNREGA is an outstanding example of how the RTI Act can be woven into the fabric of the delivery system and the whole legal and governance paradigm. The entire expenditure on works and workers — 94 per cent of the total amount — is required to be put on the website of the MGNREGA, with every transaction revealed in detail. This can easily be increased to 100 per cent. Using this Management Information System (MIS), Vijaypura Gram Panchayat in Rajsamand District has begun to build a Janata Information System (JIS) painted on the walls of government buildings in the Gram Panchayat. The boards reveal the det ails of the number of o f days of work provided and payments made in the year to every Job Card holder in the Panchayat. Also painted on the walls are the list of works sanctioned, the expenditure on labour and material, and item-wise expenditure on material in each work in the Panchayat, including exactly how many bags of cement, sand and trolleys of stone were procured, and at what rate in the Gram Panchayat. This is like a web wall which reveals to every interested visitor all that they want to examine. examine.
LARGER IMPACT: The MG NREGA is India‘s first law to codify development rights in a legal framework, and like the RTI, it has begun to set an example in a global context. Apart from the law, and a set of guidelines, there is a strong and immediate need to formulate rules to operationalize provisions in the Act; which includes guaranteeing grievance redressal in seven days, social audit twice a year, and mandatory transparency and proactive disclosure. Properly incorporated and enforced, a comprehensive set of operational rules could strengthen the entitlement framework, fixing responsibility at every level. Once again, it would enable bottom-up pressure for implementation, which should be matched by a strong political mandate
BIOMETRICS CARDS AND E-ATTENDANCE: The government is likely to introduce biometrics cards and electronic attendance systems from next fiscal to plug the leakages in its flagship employment scheme MGNREGA, even as it looks to step up allocation for the scheme sharply to Rs 45,000crore.―We 45,000crore.―We are looking looking at biometrics job card system from next financial year for Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme that could even be fitted with global positioning system,‖ a government official familiar with the discussions told ET. States such as Rajasthan have already experimented with Page 8 of 16
biometrics card system to prevent leakage and the Centre now is keen to unveil it on all-India basis
PRAGMATIC APPROACH: Budget 2010 does have some inkling of pragmatic approach. Mukherjee has done the right thing by not enhancing the allocation under MGNREGA. In 2009, he made a budgetary provision of Rs. 39,100 crore, and this year kept it at Rs 40,100 crore. This is a wise decision considering that MGNREGA is a new scheme, and has a lot of problems with implementation. Making more allocation gives room for more leakage and corruption. The finance minister has extended the health insurance cover (that was initiated last year to BPL families) to also MGNREGA workers who have put in a minimum of 15 days of labour.
KEY PROCESSES Application for job card
Issue of job card
Demand for employment
Work allocation
Payment Payment of o f wages
Selection of works
MGNREGA & UNION BUDGET:
During 2008-09, NREGA provided employment opportunities for more than 4.47 crore households as against 3.39 crore households covered in 2007-08.
Govt of India has proposed an allocation of Rs.39,100 crore for the year 2009-10 for NREGA which marks an increase of 144% over 2008-09 Budget Estimates.
Page 9 of 16
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme has completed four years of implementation during which it has been extended to all districts covering more than 4.5 crore households. The allocation for MGNREGA has been stepped up to Rs 40,100 crore in 2010-11.
MONITORING AND EVALUATION IN MGNREGA:
Ministry has set up a comprehensive monitoring system. For effective monitoring of the projects 100% verification of the works at the Block level, 10% at the District level and 2% at the State level inspections need to be ensured. In order to optimize the multiplier effects of MGNREGA, the Ministry has set up a Task Force to look at the possibility of convergence of programmes like National Horticulture Mission, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, Bharat Nirman, and Watershed Development with MGNREGA. These convergence efforts will add value to MGNREGA, works and aid in creating durable efforts and also enable planned and coordinated public investments in rural areas.
WHETHER THE MGNREGA CAN RAISE BOTH PRIVATE SECTOR WAGES AND EMPLOYMENT? The answer lies in how the labour supply schedule available to private employers in agriculture reacts to the opposing effects effects of the MGNREGA : in effect whether whether or not the unemployment benefit aspect that provides workers the option of an alternative source of employment and leads to a reduction in the poo l of workers available for the private employment employment dominates the contestability effect of o f the MGNREGA that makes private employment options more lucrative subsequent to a rise in private-sector wages. Intuitively, if the disposable income generated by public works programmes is low enough relative to the disposable income generated from private employment then the contestability effect dhoud dominate, leading to an increase in both privatesector and unemployment. unemployment. In the presence of labour market imperfections, an employment guarantee can improve both efficiency and equity. The key trade-off is between the unemployment benefit nature of the wage offered, and the contestability introduced into the labour market because of the employment guarantee and conceptual cut at these issues reveals the key importance of the discretion embodied in the location of the public works projects and various on-site benefits that can be made available to workers. While often seen as a s being ‗merely‘ operational in nature, our argument shows that they are the counterpart to the central features of the conceptual argument on the efficacy of the employment guarantees.
Page 10 of 16
CHALLENGES IN IMPLEMENTATION:
Denial of registration Reports from the field point to incidents of denial of registration to single-womanheaded households and physically challenged individuals. Discrimination based on caste has also been noted in some states like Gujarat.
Delay in distribution of job cards The point of concern, however, is not just the percentage of issue of job cards but the percentage of distribution of job cards. Though job cards have been prepared across most states, in many states they have not reached the people, thereby restricting their right to demand work. A probable cause for this is the workload of the panchayat sevak who undertakes the task of distribution. On average, each sevak has two or three panchayats under him/her, thus making the task extremely difficult.
Unsolicited fees being charged for work application forms Fees for application forms are being charged in many states like Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand. The fee ranges from Rs 5 to Rs 50 in some states. Forms are also sold openly in local markets or haats. This flouts the MGNREGA guidelines that state that applications may even be submitted to the gram panchayat on a plain piece of paper.
Non-issuance of receipts Another general problem noted in the villages is the absence of a system to issue receipts (pauthis) to applicants. This could be because of lack of awareness on the part of the panchayat sevak and the villagers. Receipts, however, are crucial as a proof of work demanded.
Absence of worksite facilities The MGNREGA provides for facilities for safe drinking water, shade for children, periods of rest and a first-aid box at the work site (Section 27, Schedule II of the MGNREGA). But a lot has to be done to ensure these facilities, the notable absence of which is a problem that cuts across states. The Commissioners of the Supreme Court (in the case of PUCL vs. UOI and others) have advised the states that if need be, temporary shelters shelters must be built for those doing MGNREGA labour.
Non-availability of muster rolls at the worksite It is rare indeed to find muster rolls at the worksites. Reports from across MGNREGA districts show that kutcha muster rolls/attendance sheets are being maintained by people at worksites. Rough notebooks and diaries are being used to mark attendance and make wage payments.
Delay in wage payments Delays in wage payments have always been a matter of concern in previous employment programmes, and this issue continues to plague the MGNREGA. Wage payments are delayed for weeks, sometimes months.
Page 11 of 16
Issues related to measurement of work done Regular measurement of work done, according to a schedule of rural rate sensitive supervision of works by qualified technical personnel on time. Reading out muster rolls on work site during regular measurement to prevent bogus records and payment of wages below prescribed levels .
Shortage of staff and delay in appointments The Act‘s launch was not accompanied by the appointment of additional staff for its implementation. This has resulted in the existing staff being burdened with additional addit ional work. At the t he panchayat panchayat level, level, the t he guidelines specifically advised the appointment of a ‗rozgar sevak‘. Disappointingly, this has not yet been done. The lack of sta ff is having a negative impact on the workings of the MGNREGA.
CRITICISM OF MGNREGA: Despite its progress in improved implementation and governance, the MGNREGA still has to deal with the corruption and other improprieties that have come to be associated with any Govt. program in India. The CAG review said in as many as 70% of the villages checked, there were no proper records available on number of households who demanded jobs and the actual number of people who benefited from the job guarantee scheme. Some major criticisms are as follows: MGNREGA is just a way of redistribution of Income :
There is some truth to the criticism that this act is just a way of redistributing the income rather than making any lasting improvements in the rural infrastructure. Even its main proponents are silent on the details of the infrastructure projects successfully completed through the program and the benefits of such projects to the local communities. A majority of the supporters only show its effectiveness in improving governance procedures and making people aware of their rights. This is, however, more an offshoot of the successful implementation of the Right to Information act in the MGNREGA program than the MGNREGA itself. Long term dependency of the poor on the Government:
It would just create a long term dependency among the poor on the largesse of the Govt. If the works are only of marginal importance, and involve mainly the equivalent of digging and filling the ground, it would be such a huge waste of human potential and resources.
A Vote Bank called MGNREGS :
With the new changes in store, chances are the rural jobs scheme will become a vehicle for gigantic expenditures in the name of the poor with very little money actually going to the poor.
Page 12 of 16
Misuse of public Funds:
The apparent misuse of much larger amounts of public funds rarely gets much mention in the press, especially when it pertains pert ains to expenditure that is likely to t o benefit the urban elite, such as major new highways or new airports. But on the relatively small amount of money spent on MGNREGA there have been shrill and adverse allegations in the media from the very start. Lack of Administrative Capacity: The lack of the administrative capacity to run this scheme in the desired decentralised manner and the need to build this capacity quickly and effectively. The main deficiency was the lack of adequate administrative and technical manpower at the Block and GP levels, especially the Programme Officer, Technical Assistants, and Employment Guarantee Assistants. The programme so far has not done what it was supposed to do to the full extent, mainly because of the shortage of administrative and technical staff. Therefore is the urgent need to ensure more administrative assistance for the programme at all levels, which really means both resources and personnel devoted to the actual implementation, monitoring and financial management of the programme.
Absence of Effective Grievance Redressal System:
The major problem with MGNREGA is that there is absolute absence of an effective grievance redressal system. The common labourers are not aware to whom to submit their grievances and what will happen to that. Although the government of India recently passed an ombudsman order, but there are also many loopholes. Absence of Strong Penalty Provisions:
Absence of One more significant problem to be considered is the problem of the absence of strong penalty provisions. Provision of Rs1000 as fine under MGNREGA will not affect any corrupt official in anyways. Strongest possible provisions should be there in the act, if we expect the proper implementation. Hindrance in Enhancing the Skills:
A second is the danger that, given their focus on the creation of local employment, MGNREGA may be discouraging rural workers from moving to areas of higher productivity where skills for better employment can be obtained, and so may be delaying economic transforma t ransformation. tion. Criticism is also mounting from civil society: Many argue that the poor implementation of MGNREGA MG NREGA makes beneficiaries beneficiaries believe that it is no better than other government schemes that have had little impact on poverty. Although MGNREGA is a flagship project of the governing coalition, there is much political rivalry over the scheme.
Page 13 of 16
In most of the states, MGNREGA has become a source of guaranteed income for the corrupt officials. However, with all the instances of corruption and misappropriation of MGNREGA funds, it has also proved as one of the better scheme in terms of providing income to the rural labourers and building some short of infrastructures (it may not be productive structures in all the cases) at the village level. But much needs to be done. I personally feel that MGNREGA should not be considered as only a scheme which has the provision of giving hundred days of work to the people; it needs to be seen in a broader perspective. Along with its objective NREGA can be an effective tool for organizing rural labourers and mobilizing them to demand for other basic rights.
RECOMMENDATIONS/SUGGESTIONS: MGNREGA, 2005 Act is an important step st ep towards the realization of the right to work. It is also expected to enhance people‘s livelihoods on a sustained basis, by developing the economic and social infrastructure in rural areas. The choice of works seeks to address the causes of chronic poverty such as drought, deforestation and soil erosion. Effective implementation of the, employment generated under the Act has the potential of transforming the geography of poverty. But it is very important for the people that this scheme should survive for long for the development of rural areas and for economic and social prosperity and seeing MGNREGS work from closely in the areas where it is performing well i would like to give some recommendations for the effective functioning of MGNREGS. Some of these are as follows:
There should be a proper training format for the MGNREGS employees.
There should be a awareness programs for the workers, as whatever mistakes were found it was because of unawareness among the workers.
These awareness programs can be associated with SARVA SIKHSHA ABHIYAAN, and night schools can play an important role in this program.
There should be a transparency and accountability at every stage of MGNREGS.
Government should form auditing agency at Panchayat level and it should consist of not only the government officials but some other agencies and NGOs.
Percentage share of the government officials in schemes must be stopped immediately.
The block offices should be closed down and a direct link should be established between district headquarters and the Gram Sabhas. The Gram Sabhas must be given the right of issuing job cards, preparation of muster rolls, planning, implementation and monitoring of the schemes.
A strong legislation needs to be brought with the provisions of severe punishment as dismissal from the service, imprisonment and recovery of grabbed money with ten Page 14 of 16
times penalty. There should be also a special court, which can sort out the matters in time bound manners. Corruption is the most serious issue in MGNREGA, which is prevalent at every level. The share is fixed for the government officials in each scheme and misappropriation of fund is going on shamelessly across the country. Interestingly, the Legislative, the Executive and the Judiciary, all are aware about the rampant corruption in MGNREGA but none of these working to bring back the MGNREGA on the right track. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice K.G. Balakrishnan says, “NREGA is under the clutch of middle men.” The wage is paid to the labourers through the Bank accounts but contractors and middle men comfortably get their share. The schemes are also not accomplished properly but the full amount is released without proper verification. The labourers are also asked to pay for the job cards. Hence, there is a check post of loot in each turning-point of MGNREGA.
CONCLUSION: Even with these variations, the overall story is still positive. Many households have not been covered, but many have. 100 days of work have not yet been provided, but an average of 33 days has, which is clearly a step forward. And this will obviously increase over time. It is one of the most important things. People should know where the money is spent. The poor person who is working under this Act should get his wages. Instead, people are extracting money from the poor There are also some clear successes, in certain states and districts. It is already evident from field reports that there has been some improvement in consumption of the poor, reduction of distress migration and slight increases in lean season wage rates (especially for women) in the areas where the programme has functioned successfully. Obviously, these successes have to be sustained, replicated and expanded. And in other areas the weaknesses of the programme that have been identified by the CAG and other observers have to be addressed, including through local mobilisation. But this cannot happen overnight, it is necessarily a long process. The important thing is to create a momentum whereby the programme will actually work as intended across the country. Rozgar Jagrookta Puruskar award has been introduced to recognize outstanding Contributions by Civil society Organizations at State, District, Block and Gram Panchayat levels to generate awareness about provisions and entitlements and ensuring compliance with implementing processes. The government has engaged professional institutions like IIMs, IITs and agricultural universities to assess the implementation of MGNREGA across the country.
Page 15 of 16
REFERENCES: – ‗The Oxford Companion to Economics in India‘ 2007 1. Basu Kaushik – ‗The 2. Jetli K. Narinder – ‗INDIA: Manpower, Employment Policy and Labour Welfare‘ 2006 – 2006 – New New Century Publications.
3. Tanushree Sood (a researcher with the office of commissioner to the Supreme Court) – ‗NREGA: – ‗NREGA: Challenges and Implementation‘. I mplementation‘. 4. Aruna Roy and Nikhil Dey (activists with Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sanghtan) – ‗NREGA: Breaking New Ground‘ – The – The Hindu: Magazine – Magazine – June June 21, 2009. 5. A Report by Sandeep Phukan – ‗Why the NREGA is controversial?‘controversial?‘ - August 19, 2009 New Delhi. 6. TOI Bureau, New Delhi – Delhi – ‗Biometrics, ‗Biometrics, e-attendance e-attendance to plug NREGA loopholes. 7. Sreelatha Menon – Menon – ‗NREGA ‗NREGA should have a coherent wage policy‘ – March 14, 2010, Business Standand. 8. Devinder Sharma – Sharma – ‗Agriculture ‗Agriculture squeezed out in Budget 2010‘ – Deccan – Deccan Herald. 9. ‗PM, Sonia admit to ‗lapses‘ in implementation of MGNREGA‘ – Press Trust Of India. 10. ‗Implementing NREGA‘ – Ministry – Ministry of Rural Development. 11. ‗Status of NREGA Implementation‘ grassroots of learning and way forward – Samarthan [Centre for Development support with support from Poorest Ares Civil Society (PACS)]. ‗The NREGA NREG A and its Critics‘ – March 10, 2008. 12. Jayanti Ghosh – Ghosh – ‗The Critics ‘ – March
Page 16 of 16
