By Naba Kishor Pujari The intonation of development often gets ground with deficit. While it must have gone a long way to change lives of poor people, it has not come up with the aspirations of the people. Is the government a distant route to good governance? Does our pro-people agenda remain bracketed within the policy itself? Despite all our aspirations that social welfare programmes are meant to address issues like poverty, social inequality and empowerment of the disadvantaged, the poor people are not able to avail the fruit. Is it really an issue of post-electoral apathy by the Government as people are attracted by many means to vote for a particular party with lots of promises behind but no reflections in the repercussion? Like many other programmes, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is one of the largest social safety net programmes in our country. MGNREGA is historic in the sense that it is large scale in nature and has a space for huge aspirations to recognize. Father of our nation Mahatma Gandhi used to took sides of the poorest people of the community and he used to believe that the development of any country can only be realized if needs of the poor people is addressed rightfully and with a priority. The enactment of the Act was historic in terms of its coverage, decentralized planning process and strengthening participatory democracy. The Report To The People on NREGA, published recently by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India reveals that a total of 43759203 households have demanded employment during the financial year 2013-14 out of which 38126455 people have been provided the employment. The percentage of ST and SC households in this count is only 15.64 and 23.39 respectively. Even though the percentage of households provided employment is substantial but it is evident to note that only 3.45 per cent households have completed 100 days of work. The NREGA outcome therefore fingers towards ineffectiveness of NREGA implementation in the country.The Comptroller and Accountant General (CAG) noted that employment generated declined from 283.59 crorepersondays in 2009-10 to 216.34 crorepersondays in 2011-12 which clearly shows the diminishing coverage of NREGA in terms of person days. The completion of works also saw a significant decline in 2011-12. The CAG has also asked the Government to take “decisive steps” to ensure proper implementation of the scheme. It was a dream for the villagers of Chhenua of Astaranga block of Puri district that they can get 150 days of work under NREGA. After the land fall of Phailin, they had almost lost their livelihood and means of sustenance. Their only option was theCash for Work, a wage based programme for 50 days by a Civil society Consortiumwith the support of European Commission Humanitarian Aid and civil protection (ECHO).It is evident here that even though there are many such social safety net programmes like NREGA has been being implemented for poors, but the real beneficiaries do not know what it is. Whose fault is this; of people or of the Government. Physical performance of NREGA-Odisha The Ministry of Rural Development Physical performance report reveals that the implementation of NREGA is very sluggish in a situation when people need it the most.Out of 1383897 households in Odisha demanded for jobs under NREGA, the percentage of households completed 100 workdays is only 3.72. It is low in comparison to Andhra Pradesh (8.5per cent), Bihar (4.4per cent) and Chhattisgarh (9.58per cent). The district level performance is also not encouraging in terms of 100 days completion of work. The Districts affected by the Phailin and its subsequent flood such as Ganjam (2.91per cent), Mayurbhanj (7.92per cent), Puri (8.5per cent) and tribal populated districts like Koraput (2.6per cent), Kandhamal (7.46per cent), Malkangiri (1.96per cent), Sundergarh (7.31per cent) and Nabarangpur (1.7 per cent) have also been lagging behind its target. The expenditure in Odisha under MGNREGA in 2012-13 was Rs 1,181 crore and expenditure estimated for 2013-14 was Rs 1,515.79 crore. Critical junctures Lack of Awareness on job cards/demand for job: As the Act is a demand driven one, work under NREGA is available only after a demand for job is created by the people. But practically, lack of awareness about the Act continues to be a major concern as it has become detrimental to the successful participation in the scheme. Failure of timely payment: Delay in wage payment has been a major challenge of NREGA. Recently, e-banking facility has been initiated in Odisha for payment of wages through banks and post offices but it is being reportedly delayed in transfer of money to the accounts of beneficiaries. Poor worksite facilities: Poor worksite facility has also been a compelling factor for distraction of people from NGERA. In many of the villages where NREGA work is being initiated, worksite facilities like Crèche, drinking water, first aid and shade is not provided. Thus, transparency and accountability as ensured under the Act has become a long cherished mechanism which brings questions towards its ineffectiveness.
Distress Migration: Even though the Act reveals that distressed migration can be checked through implementation of the Act but it has not been realized in full. Unfortunately, we have no official data on distress migration but field several ground assessment reveal that the rainy days distress pushes the people to go to the money lender due to non-availability of government employment and other social security. Conclusion There is nothing wrong in the Act itself but the Government should come out with a revised guideline which will superintend its work and implementation. The NREGA itself needs no change in its policy but it must catch up people’s development imagination and focus on its development effectiveness rather than counting the wage payment. - See more at: http://www.orissadiary.com/CurrentNews.asp?id=49405#sthash.q1OZNjmb.dpuf
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