copied from jean dreze slides. All about NREGA and its implementation

1. PRESENTATION FOR THE COURSE
CURRENT AFFAIRS
WORKSHOP
EMPLOYMENT
GUARANTEE AND
THE RIGHT TO WORK
SHIVRAJ SINGH NEGI
KOMMU VENKATA RAVI SHANKAR
S. DEEPUK
4/20/2009 1

2. The India State Hunger Index 2008 by the

International Food Policy Research Institute. Percent of population living under

Punjab has the best nutritional the poverty line, which is 356.35
situation, whereas malnutrition in Madhya
rupees or around $7 a month in rural
Pradesh is worse than in Ethiopia or Sudan.
areas.
4/20/2009 2

3. The Employment Guarantee Act is a
step towards the right to work, as
an aspect of the fundamental right
to live with dignity
4/20/2009 3

4. The “right to life” is a fundamental right of all

citizens under Article 21 of the Indian
Constitution.
“Right to life… includes the right to live with

human dignity, it would include all these
aspects which would make life
meaningful, complete and living.” (Supreme
Court)
4/20/2009 4

5. “The State shall… direct its policy towards

securing that the citizen, men and women
equally, have the right to an adequate means
of livelihood…” (Article 39A)
“The State shall … make effective provision

for securing the right to work…” (Article 41)
4/20/2009 5

6. The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act
2005 is a law whereby:
any adult who is willing to do unskilled manual
work at the minimum wage
is entitled to being employed on local public
works within 15 days of applying.
4/20/2009 6

7. Each State has to launch an

“employment guarantee scheme”
within six months of the Act
coming into force.
4/20/2009 7

8. Block is the basic unit of implementation.

In each Block, a “Programme Officer” is to

coordinate the implementation of EGS
Gram Panchayats are the main implementing

agencies.
Accountability to Gram Sabhas.

4/20/2009 8

9. Gram Panchayats (half of EGS works)

Other Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs)

Line departments (PWD, Forest Dept.)

NGOs.

Note: Private contractors are banned.
4/20/2009 9

10. Programme Officer to maintain shelf of

projects, based on proposals from the
implementing agencies.
Gram Panchayats also supposed to prepare a

shelf of works based on the
recommendations of the Gram Sabha.
4/20/2009 10

11.  Minor irrigation
 Water conservation, drought
proofing, desilting of tanks, flood
control, etc.
 Land development
 Rural roads
 “Any other work which may be notified by
the Central Government in consultation with
the State Government”
4/20/2009 11

12. Employment to be provided on

demand, within 15 days.
Programme Officer sanctions projects to

ensure that all applicants get work.
Programme Officer to arrange payment of

unemployment allowance to those who don’t
get work.
4/20/2009 12

13. Step 1 (Registration): Gram Panchayat to
“register” interested households, to facilitate
advance planning.
Step 2 (Application): Adult members of
registered households apply for work.
4/20/2009 13

14. Unit of registration is the household.

Gram Panchayat to issue a “job card” to

each applicant.
 Special meeting of Gram Sabha to be
held to invite applications.
4/20/2009 14

15. Any adult member of a registered

household can apply for work at any
time.
 Applications should be for at least 14
days of continuous work.
 Advance applications are allowed.
4/20/2009 15

16.  Wage-material ratio should not be
less than 60:40
 Wages of skilled and semi-skilled
labourers to be included in material
costs
4/20/2009 16

17. Central Government to pay for:

 wage costs,
 75% of material costs, and
 some administrative costs.
State governments to pay for:

 25% of material costs
 other administrative costs,
 unemployment allowance.
4/20/2009 17

18. Registration for Employment.

The adult member of every

House hold who –
 Reside in rural area ; and
 Are willing to do unskilled
manual work may apply for
registration of their household
for issuance of Job Card.
4/20/2009 19

19. Within 15 days of receipt of

an application and within a
radius of 5 kms. from their
place of residence
AND
 If Employment is not
provided within 15 days of
receipt of his application
he shall be entitled to a daily
Unemployment allowance.
4/20/2009 20

20. One fourth of the wage

For First 30 days

rate.
For the remaining

Not less than one half

period of the Financial
of the wage rate
year
Employment wage +
 Equal to the wages for

Unemployment 100 days of work in a
allowance financial year
4/20/2009 21

21. A person working for 7 hours

would normally earn a wage
equal to a wage rate
 Minimum wage fixed by the
state Government under
section 3 of the minimum
wage Act,1948
 Wage rate is fixed by the
Central Govt.
 Shall not be at a rate of less
than Sixty rupees per day .
4/20/2009 22

22.  Water conservation and Water
harvesting
 Drought proofing(Aforestation
and tree plantation)
 Irrigation canals
 Provision of irrigation facility to
land owned by
SC/ST/beneficiaries under Indira
AawasYozna
 Renovation of traditional water
bodies
 De-silting of tanks
 Land development
4/20/2009 23

23.  Flood control and
protection works
including drainage in
water logged areas
 Rural connectivity to
provide all weather
access
 Other works notified by
the Central/State
Government
4/20/2009 24

24. Sarpanch/ward panch At Gram panchayat
 
Level
Programme Officer  At Block/Tehsil /Taluka

Level (appointed
specially for this
scheme)
GP/PO shall be bound to accept the valid

applications and to issue a dated receipt to the
applicant .
4/20/2009 25

25.  Gram Panchayat will issue
a Job Card after
registration
 Job card containing the
details of adult members
of household such as ;
Names ,age ,address and
photographs.
 Registration will be made
for five years and may be
renewed from time to
time.
4/20/2009 26

26.  Applicants will be
intimated by written letter
and a public notice will be
displayed at the office of
GP and PO.
 Priority shall be given to
women and in such a way
that at least one third of
the beneficiaries shall be
women.
4/20/2009 27

27.  Employment shall be provided
within a radius of 5 Kms. from
their residence.
 If Employment is provided
outside 5 Kms., it must be
provided within Block with 10 %
extra wage to meet additional
transportation and living
expenses.
4/20/2009 28

28.  Safe drinking water
 Shade for children and
periods of rest
 First-aid Box for
emergency treatment and
minor injuries
 Health hazards connected
with work to be provided
4/20/2009 29

29.  Depute one woman worker
to look after five or more
children below the age of six
years of women laborers
 Deputed woman shall be
paid wage rate
4/20/2009 30

30.  Equal wages for women and men in
all circumstances.
 No gender discrimination of any
kind.
 Priority for women in the allocation
of work: at least 33% of labourers
should be women.
4/20/2009 31

31. If any person employed under the scheme is or child

accompanying any person injured ; he/she shall be entitled to
free of charge medical treatment
During the period of hospitalization of injured worker

 Accommodation, treatment and medicines
 Half of the wage per day to be paid to injured person
4/20/2009 32

32. If a person employed under a scheme

 dies or
 becomes permanent disabled by the accident at
site
The legal heirs of the deceased or the disabled
shall be paid an ex gratia payment at the rate of
Rs.25000 By the Central government.
4/20/2009 33

33. The wage under a scheme may be paid

 either wholly in cash
 or, in cash and kind
But at least one fourth of the wages shall be paid in cash only
All payment of wages in cash and UA shall be made to

concerns in the presence of independent persons of the
community on pre-announced dates.
4/20/2009 34

34. The disbursement of daily

wages
Weekly basis or in any case not

later than a fort night specified
under the scheme.
Laborers shall be entitled to

receive payment of
compensation as per the
provisions of payment of wages
Act,1936
4/20/2009 35

35. Identification of projects in

The Gram Panchayat shall

the GP area and prepare a
be responsible for
development plan as
recommended by Gram
Sabha and ward Sabha
4/20/2009 36

36. Gram Panchayat shall Maintain a shelf of
 
possible works to be
taken up as and when
demand for work
arises
 Execution and
supervision of such
works
4/20/2009 37

37. GP shall forward its

Programme officer (Not

proposals in the order of
below the rank of BDO at block
priority to PO for approvals
level)
PO shall allot at least 50%

works in terms of cost to be
implemented through GP
PO shall supply each GP

 MRs for the works
 A list of employment
opportunities.
4/20/2009 38

38. All NREGA-related documents to be available

for public scrutiny.
Copies of documents to be made available at

nominal cost.
Muster rolls to be pro-actively displayed at

Panchayat Bhawan.
Documents can also be obtained under the

Right to Information Act.
4/20/2009 39

39. The Gram Panchayat Shall make available all relevant


documents;MRs,bills,vouchers,MB
s, Sanction orders and other books
of accounts and Paper to the Gram
Sabha for the purpose of social
Audit.
Gram Sabhas to conduct social audits of all works taken up
within Gram Panchayat
All relevant documents to be provided to the Gram Sabha by
the Gram Panchayat and other implementing agencies
4/20/2009 40

40. The Gram Sabha Shall monitor the
 
execution of works within
the GP
Shall conduct regular social

audit of all the works done
by GP
4/20/2009 41

41. All efforts should be made to ensure

transparency and accountability
All accounts and records relating to

work shall be made for public scrutiny
A copy of Muster Rolls of every work

shall be made available in the office of
PO and GP for inspection by any
person after paying such fee
4/20/2009 42

42. The DPO, PO and GP shall prepare

annually report containing the facts and
figures and achievements relating to
scheme within its jurisdiction
All the above documents shall be made

available to the public on demand and on
payment of prescribed fees.
4/20/2009 43

43. The Scheme shall not permit

engaging any contractor for
implementation the project under
this scheme
Works under this schemes shall be

performed by using manual labor
and not by machines
4/20/2009 44

44. The State Government shall makes rules and

regulations to deal with any complaint at block
and the District level
If any dispute or complaint arises the scheme by

GP the matter shall be referred to PO
The PO shall enter every complaint in a

complaint register and shall dispose the disputes
and complaints within 7 days of its receipt.
4/20/2009 45

45. 4/20/2009 46

46. Employment on demand.

Legal right.

 Universal entitlement.
 Participatory approach.
 Accountability to PRIs.
 Full transparency.
4/20/2009 47

47. Employment within 15 days of application.

Unemployment allowance.

Work within 5 kilometres.

Minimum wages.

Payment within 15 days.

No gender discrimination.

Basic worksite facilities.

4/20/2009 48

48. Total: 90 crore person-days

Per job card: 24 person-days

Per rural household: 17 person-days

Minimum “requirement”:a 200 crore person-days

a NAC estimate, 2004.
4/20/2009 49

49. Total: Rs. 8,813 crores

Per district: Rs. 44.06

crores
Estimated requirement for 200 districts: Rs. 20,000 crores

Budget allocation for 2007-8 (330 districts): Rs. 13,000 crores

4/20/2009 50

50. Taken up: 8.3 lakh

Completed: 3.8 lakh

In progress: 4.5 lakh

Approximate number of

villages in NREGA districts: 2 lakh
4/20/2009 51

51. Rajasthan 77 Uttar Pradesh 11
Assam 70 Andhra Pradesh 10
Madhya Pradesh 56 Haryana 9
North-Easta 45 Tamil Nadu 9
Chhattisgarh 34 Bihar 8
Orissa 21 Gujarat 7
Himachal Pradesh 20 Punjab 7
Uttarakhand 20 West Bengal 6
Karnataka 17 Maharashtra 4
Jharkhand 14 Kerala 3
Jammu & Kashmir 13 INDIA 17
a Except Assam (approximate figure, based on incomplete data).
4/20/2009 52

52. 4/20/2009 53

53. Women: 40%

Scheduled Tribes (ST): 36%

Scheduled Castes (SC): 26%

SC/ST Combined: 62%

4/20/2009 54

54. National average: 40%

Highest shares: Tamil Nadu 81%

Rajasthan 67%
Kerala 66%
Andhra Pradesh 55%
Lowest shares: Bihar 17%

Uttar Pradesh 17%
Himachal Pradesh 12%
Jammu & Kashmir 4%
4/20/2009 55

55. 4/20/2009 56

56. Average Expenditure per Person-Day Rs. 98

Share of Wages in Total Expenditurea 66%

Average Wage Cost per Person-Daya Rs. 64

aUnskilled labour only.
4/20/2009 57

57. Kerala 121 Jammu & Kashmir 69
Maharashtra 104 Assam 67
Haryana 97 Karnataka 67
North-Easta
Punjab 94 63
Andhra Pradesh 86 Chhattisgarh 63
Jharkhand 80 Madhya Pradesh 59
Tamil Nadu 80 Uttar Pradesh 56
Uttarakhand 72 Gujarat 56
Bihar 70 Orissa 53
West Bengal 70 Rajasthan 51
Himachal Pradesh 69 INDIA 64
a Except Assam (approximate figure, based on incomplete data).
4/20/2009 58

58. 140
120
Wage rate (Rs/day)
100
80
60
40
20
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
Person-days of work per rural household
4/20/2009 59

59. A field survey of NREGA was recently conducted by the

Centre for Development Economics (CDE) and the Institute
of Human Development (IHD), with students from Delhi
University and Jawaharlal Nehru University.
Date: May-June 2007

Survey Districts: Ranchi (Jharkhand)

Surguja (Chhattisgarh)
Number of Gram Panchayats: 23

 Number of worksites: 47
4/20/2009 60

60. Most families have a Most of the works are
job card. productive.
Awareness levels Corruption levels have
have improved. gone down.
Employment on a  Where there is
massive scale. work, NREGA is a
Minimum wages are lifeline for the rural
being paid. poor.
Contractors have  Massive progress
disappeared. compared with earlier
years!
4/20/2009 61

61. Work is not “demand-driven”.

Long delays in wage payments.

Shortage of staff at all levels.

Poor worksite facilities (e.g. creches).

Violations of the transparency safeguards.

Corruption persists.

4/20/2009 62

62. Were most labourers at this worksite employed
in response to an application for work?
Ranchi Surguja
Yes 4% 11%
No 96% 89%
4/20/2009 63

63. Proportion (%) of worksites where:
Ranchi Surguja
Most labourers earned
the minimum wage n/a 84
Wages were paid in front
of the labourersa 54 79
Wages were paid within 15 days 32 16
Labourers had complaints
about wage payments 71 90
a Excluding payments through Banks
4/20/2009 64

64. Proportion (%) of worksites with the following
facilities:
Ranchi Surguja
Drinking water 64 100
Shade for periods of resta 68 (16)
“Medicine kit” 68 59
Crèche 4 11
a Not including natural shade.
4/20/2009 65

65. Proportion (%) of worksites with:
Ranchi Surguja
Vigilance committee 89 84
Active vigilance committee 11 21
4/20/2009 66

66. Earlier surveys:
Dungarpur, April 2006: (negligible)
Garhwa, October 2006: 85%
CDE-IHD survey:
Ranchi 33%
Surgujaa 5%
a Gram Panchayat works.
4/20/2009 67

67. Activating the work application process.

Implementation of transparency safeguards

Timely wage payments.

Need for a wage policy.

Women’s participation.

Redressal systems!

4/20/2009 68

68. 4/20/2009 69

69. 4/20/2009 70