Job guarantee plan falls short of targets
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COMMENTS 
Despite the government’s tall claims, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) has fallen short of its targets
The Union Planning Commission, in its mid-term appraisal (MTA) of the Eleventh Five-Year Plan, has found that only 14% of worker households completed 100 days of work mandated under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
As many as 15 states, including Gujarat, West Bengal and Kerala, performed poorly, compared to the national average of 48 days, in executing the flagship programme. Kerala, the most socially advanced state in India, was able to provide work for only 22 days, earning it the dubious distinction of providing the least number of workdays in the country.
The Plan panel found that Gujarat was able to provide an average of 22 days of work per household; West Bengal provided 26 days, the same as Bihar. These three states also have the poorest record on MGNREGA fund utilization, with Gujarat spending only 1%.
The appraisal also notes the failure of most states to use the scheme to alleviate poverty, especially the poorest states. The MTA observed that in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, BPL households are 10% higher than their share in employment generated under the Act.
The Commission also expressed concern about the slow pace of work in tribal areas where leftwing extremism is growing. “Steps need to be taken to ensure this work proceeds apace and the forest department provides fullest and most expeditious cooperation in this regard,” the MTA said.
The UPA government has been claiming that the employment guarantee scheme is great success with the number of person-days of employment created by public works (including the MGNREGS) increasing from 221 million in 2004-05 to 939 million in 2007-08.
‘Apply for work, get work, and get paid on time’ was the slogan when the MGNREGS took off in February 2006. Various instruments like muster rolls and job cards were designed to keep the payment process transparent. However, subsequent surveys in Orissa (2007) and Jharkhand (2008), and observations from other states like West Bengal, pinpoint delays in wage delivery as the most frustrating reason for people losing faith in the scheme.
A review of the scheme by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India last year highlighted several flaws in maintenance of records and money disbursed, leading to questions about the scheme’s effectiveness. The Ministry of Rural Development is also working towards putting in place a system of biometric identification of eligible workers under the scheme.
The biometric database of MGNREGS workers, which aims to bring greater transparency in the scheme’s implementation, will be shared with the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).
Source: The Hindustan Times, July 21, 2010
www.orissadiary.com, July 20, 2010
www.nrega.nic.in, July 2010
The Economic Times, June 30, 2010
UNI, June 2010