Date: 03-04 November 2020

Virtual Training Programme on “Restrateging Mahatma Gandhi NREGA in post COVID scenario”

The State Institute for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (SIRD & PR), Panchayati Raj & Drinking

Water Department, Government of Odisha has organized virtual training program on “Restrateging

Mahatma Gandhi NREGA in post COVID scenario” for MCs, APOs and BLCs of Angul, Deogarh,

Dhenkanal and Rayagada district from 03-04 November 2020. The course was coordinated by Mr. Tapan

Kumar Giri, Faculty, Natural Resource Management, SIRD & PR, Bhubaneswar.

The objectives of the programme were as follows:

To make participants understand the importance of Mahatma Gandhi NREGA and its impact on rural

livelihoods in the current pandemic scenario.

To acquaint them to ensure sustainable livelihoods through Mahatma Gandhi NREGA and convergence with

other Programmes and Schemes

To familiarize and equip the participants with the selected focused activities under Mahatma Gandhi NREGA

in post COVID scenario.

Training Schedule

Time Topic Resource Person

DAY-1 (3rd

November 2020)

10.00 AM–

10.30 AM

Online registration and joining the programme online

10.30 AM –

11.00 AM

▪ Keynote address

▪ Background & Objectives of this Online Orientation

Programme

Shri Rajesh Prabhakar Patil,

Director, SIRD & PR

Mr. Saroj Kumar Dash

Joint Director, SIRD & PR

Mrs. Amita Patra,

Asst. Director, SIRD & PR

11.00 AM–

12.15 PM

Permissible works under Mahatma Gandhi NREGA Mr. Pradosh Kumar Dash, Jr.

Engineer, MGNREGS

12.15 PM –

01.30 PM

Preparation of Labour budget, planning of works under

Mahatma Gandhi NREGA and integration with GPDP

Mr. S K Patra, Instructor,

SIRD & PR

DAY-2 (4th

November 2020)

11.00 AM–

12.15 PM

Focused activities under MGNREGA for promotion of

sustainable livelihood in post COVID scenario.

Mr. Sibabrata Mohanty,

INRM-cum-Livelihood

expert, MGNREGS

12.15 AM –

01.30 PM

Convergence of Mahatma Gandhi NREGA with other

programmes.

Mr.Ambuja Bisoyi,

Consultant, SIRD

01.30 PM -

01.45 PM

Wrap up and way forward Mr.Saroj Kumar Dash

Joint Director, SIRD & PR

The training started with welcome address by Mrs. Amita Patra, Asst. Director, SIRD and then by Mr. Saroj

Kumar Dash, Joint Director, SIRD. They discussed with participants about the training programme, its

objectives and importance sensitizing them towards the seriousness and effectiveness of this programme

during this particular situation followed by the technical sessions.

TECHNICAL SESSIONS

DAY-1 (3rd

November 2020):

Session 1: Permissible works under Mahatma Gandhi NREGA

Resorce Person: Mr. Pradosh Kumar Dash, Jr. Engineer, Mahatma Gandhi NREGS

Major Points of Discussion:

Four categories of works are permissible under MGNREGA;

Category-A: Public Works relating to Natural Resource Management.

(i) Water conservation and water harvesting structures like underground dykes, earthen dams, stop

dams, check dams

(ii) Watershed management works such as contour trenches, terracing, contour bunds, boulder

checks, gabion structures and spring shed development.

(iii) Micro and minor irrigation works.

(iv) Renovation of traditional water bodies including desiltation of irrigation tanks and other water

bodies

(v) Afforestation, tree plantation and horticulture in common and forest lands, road margins, canal

bunds, tank foreshores and coastal belts

(vi) Land development works in common land

Category-B: Creation of individual assets for vulnerable sections.

(i) Improving productivity of lands of households specified in Paragraph 5 through land

development and by providing suitable infrastructure for irrigation including dug wells, farm

ponds and other water harvesting structures

(ii) Improving livelihoods through horticulture, sericulture, plantation, and farm forestry.

(iii) Development of fallow or waste lands of households defined in Paragraph 5 to bring it under

cultivation.

(iv) Unskilled wage component in construction of houses sanctioned underthe Indira AwasYojana or

such other State or Central Government Scheme.

(v) Creating infrastructure for promotion of livestock such as, poultry shelter, goat shelter, piggery

shelter, cattle shelter and fodder troughs for cattle.

(vi) Creating infrastructure for promotion of fisheries such as, fish drying yards, storage facilities,

and promotion of fisheries in seasonal water bodies on public land.

Category-C: Infrastructure for common use of NRLM complaint SHGs.

(i) Creation of durable infrastructures like;Infrastructures for preparing bio-fertilizers, Pucca storage

facilities for agricultural produce

(ii) Construction of common sheds for livelihood activities of SHGs

Category-D: Development of Common Infrastructure.

(i) Rural sanitation related works, such as, individual household latrines, school toilet units,

Anganwadi toilets either independently or in convergence with schemes of other Government

Departments and solid/ liquid waste management.

(ii) Providing all-weather rural road connectivity to unconnected villages and to connect identified

rural production centers to the existing pucca road network; and construction of pucca internal

roads or streets including side drains and culverts within a village;

(iii) Construction of play fields.

(iv) Works for improving disaster preparedness or restoration of roads or restoration of other

essential public infrastructure.

(v) Construction of buildings for Gram Panchayats, women self-help groups’ federations, cyclone

shelters, Anganwadicentres, village haats and crematoria at the village or block level.

(vi) Maintenance of rural public assets created under the Act.

Apart from the permissible works, he also discussed the works that are not to be taken under Mahatma

Gandhi NREGA as a sole project such as weed removal, pebbles removal etc., specifically works which are

non-tangible, non-measurable and repetitive are prohibited.

He also mentioned the revised guidelines of the state Govt., vide letter no 11357, dt- 13/07/2020 for low cost

cattle and goat shelter where project estimation changed to 66,000 approximately from rs.1, 13,000.

Similarly estimated cost of low cost Goat shelter changed to 46,000.00. With reference to other important

points to be considered, he discussed that, there is a stipulation to execute at least 60% of works in terms of

cost of the total expenditure in AAA.(Agriculture & Allied Activity). Similarly there is a stipulation to

execute at least 65% of works in terms of cost of the total expenditure in INRM in 12 Mission Water

Conservation (MWC) Districts. (Bolangir, Dhenkanal, Jharsuguda, Kendujhar,Khordha, Kandhamal,

Malkangiri, Mayurbhanja, Nabarangpur, Nayagada, Nupada&Sundargarh).

Session 2: Preparation of Labour budget, planning of works under Mahatma Gandhi NREGA and

integration with GPDP

Resource Person:Mr. S K Patra, Instructor, SIRD & PR

Major Points of Discussion:

Objectives of Mahatma Gandhi NREGA

1. Providing wage employment opportunities

2. Creating sustainable rural livelihoods through rejuvenation of natural resource base i.e. augmenting

productivity and supporting creation of durable assets

3. Strengthening rural governance through decentralization and processes of transparency and

accountability.

What is Labour Budget?

Estimation of anticipated demand for unskilled manual work and preparing the plan for engagement of these

Labourers in the works covered under MGNREGS.

To estimate the amount of requirement of funds on the basis of projection of Labour Budget.

Timeline:Starts from the month of August every year for the next financial year.

Unit: Average person days per Household(HH)

Principles

Bottom-up approach from the stage of “planning to approval” of the selected shelf of projects

Realistic approach

Seasonality approach

Planning process

Identification of Shelf of Projects

Preparation of Labour Budget

Bottom-up planning approach

1. Estimation of Demand

2. Identification of Needs

3. Identification of Resource Envelope

4. Preparation of Draft Development Plan

5. Approval by the Gram Sabha

The Collector-cum-District Programme Coordinator shall prepare a Labour Budget (LB) in the month of

December every year for the next financial year containing the details of anticipated demand for unskilled

manual work in the district and the plan for engagement of labourers in the works covered under the Scheme.

The district wise consolidated prepared LB after proper examination by the State Secretariat will be

submitted to the Government of India by January 31st to avoid delay in fund release.

The Ministry of Rural Development will estimate the requirement of funds on the basis of projections made

in the Labour Budget basing on which central funds will be sanctioned after proper examination.

An Empowered Committee, under the Secretary, Rural Development, will appraise and approve the district

Labour Budgets in consultation with the State Secretaries.

Assessment of Needs, Strategies & Priorities

Wisely he described a 6 Point Thumb Rules for

assessment of needs, deciding priorities and

make planning.

“Gaps” in infrastructure

“Potential” for economic development

“Deficiencies” in human development

“Problems” in social development

“Shortfalls” in services vis-à-vis Standards

“Concerns” in Natural Resource Management

A total of 260 types of works can be undertaken

under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS.

DAY-2 (4th

November 2020)

Session 1: Focused activities under

MGNREGA for promotion of sustainable

livelihood in post COVID scenario.

Resorce Person: Mr. Sibabrata Mohanty, INRM-cum-Livelihood expert, MGNREGS

Major Points of Discussion:

According to the letter no- 9840, Dt- 12.06.2020, Govt. has ordered all the districts to focus on certain labour

intensive works to create more sustainable assets and to provide ample job opportunities to the distressed

migrant labourers who have returned home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The state has mandated to

generate 20 crore PDs in the current financial year 2020-21 and in order to achieve this 6 focused activities

i.e., TCB (Trench cum Bund), Staggered Trenches, Stop-Dams, Loose Boulder Check Dams (LBCD),

Fodder Cultivation,Nutri-garden (Mo Upkari Bagicha) are given prime importance to secure livelihoods of

vulnerable households by promoting natural resource management during rainy season.

TCB (Trench cum Bund)

In Odisha, mostly in the hilly & and high land districts, almost 70% of the lands are without any bund. In

most of the community and the Government lands including the Barrens, Bagayats, Pasture land, Gramya

jungles, due to absence of bunds, soil erosion is very much prominent. Trench cum bund (TCB) will be an

efficient way to arrest both soil erosion and harvest rain water. Moreover, these TCBs being a labour

intensive work, can be implemented almost throughout the year including the rainy season.

Objective:

Soil & Water conservation

Create bund in uplands

Provide unskilled job opportunity.

Salient Features

Constructed in Upland having slope 3-8%

Can be taken in both community & individual

(Schedule-I, Para-5) owned land.

1 Ha. TCB can conserve up to 5 lakh litres of rain

water / per rain fall.

GP as implementing agency.

Estimated cost Rs 45,621/- per Ha.

182 PDs can be generated, 82% labour component.

Contour/Staggard trenching:

Trenches are constructed in the higher elevated area of a landscape, which is being essentially referred to as

hillock area in this document to check the flow of runoff water due to rain, carrying with it eroded soil into

the "valley" (Lower elevated or plain area of a landscape in a village). This eroded materials like soil and

smaller stone particles, gets deposited as silt in the reservoirs and ponds, thereby reducing their life. So, the

contour trench is being designed to overcome this issue in long run. It is designed to collect the rainwater

falls on the higher elevated area of a village, which ensures improvement of local moisture profile of the soil

adjacent to any trench. It also serves the purpose of re-depositing the eroded top fertile soil of the area. So,

this structure can be best used while doing plantation in the same field.

Objective:

Reduce the runoff velocity of rainwater

Checking the soil erosion due to this runoff water

Improving the in-situ soil moisture component of the area by enhancing the percolation of water

Diversify the land use to reduce vulnerabilities

Salient features

Contour-trenches are normally constructed in the upper portion/ ridge area of the landscape for plantation

of forestry/horticultural plants

It is most appropriate to construct contour trenches, when the slope of the area is between 8% to 25%

Fodder grass should be planted on the bund and horticultural/fuel fodder trees may be planted just

downstream of the trench or in the trench itself in gravel soils

Contour trenches can be constructed in rainy season as well as in winter

Types

Continuous contour trenches (CCT): It can be constructed in low rainfall area for moisture conservation;

Staggered Contour trenches (SCT): To avoid potential danger of overflow and breach in high rain fall area,

SCT should be constructed with defined distance between them. It is also most suitable for steep or irregular

sloping land.

Stop dam: After monsoon period/by the fag end of the monsoon the flow of water continues in small quantity, which

can be stored within the stream bed with small and low-cost intervention. Construction of Stop Dam is one

such method. The Stop Dam can be constructed in series in a stream to conserve water.

Objective:

This will contribute to conservation of water in the seasonal streams

This can also contribute to the local area economy by making available the stored water to farmers

Salient features

The Stop Dam shall be constructed in streams where the flow of water is available after the monsoon i.e.

during October and November. The projects can be taken up in the stream where the bed slope is up to 5 %.

Cultivated land shall be available nearby so as to utilize the water for irrigation purpose in Rabi crop.

Types: Stop dam can be constructed using Sand / Sandy Soil / Sand mix with Gravel.

Loose Boulder Check Dam (LBCD): Large amount of water flow away in the streams during monsoon. It wouldn’t be possible to store all the

water with small interventions during monsoon. The velocity of water can be reduced by constructing Loose

Boulder Check Dam (LBCD) which will help in percolation of water into the ground. These can be

constructed in series in a stream to conserve water.

Objective:

This will contribute to conservation of soil and water

This will increase the time of stagnation of runoff and thereby allowing more time to water to be absorbed

in soil

This will enhance the Ground water table

Fodder cultivation: Odisha has shortage of green fodder, which needs to be focused seriously. Due to lack of enough green

fodder, farmers in rural areas mostly depend on paddy straw and concentrate feed to feed their animals,

which results in less profit in dairy farming as well as malnutrition among the livestock. It has been decided

to take up fodder cultivation both at individual/ community level for the year 2020-21 under MGNREGS

through the active participation of Directorate of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services.

Objective:

To make availability of green fodder to the livestock throughout the year

To reduce the cost of milk production

To increase the profit in dairy farming

To provide sustainable livelihood to the vulnerable sections of the society

Mo Upakari Bagicha (MUB):

Objective: The objective for development of “Mo Upakari Bagicha” is to improve access to nutrition rich

diverse vegetables and fruits, particularly the needs of Pregnant Women, Lactating Mothers, Children and

Adolescent girls in the family. This garden can also be demonstrated and implemented at school and

Anganwadi centers.

This project will be implemented in convergence with

OLM/ATMA fund throughout the year, preferably in

rainy season. The detailed convergence plan is given

below:

I.MGNREGS Fund (Components): All components

excluding vegetable seeds and 2 nos. banana saplings

will be covered under MGNREGS. Detailed estimate

enclosed in Annexure-I.

II. OLM /ATMA Fund (Components): The Project

Director, DRDA of concerned district will make

necessary arrangement for convergence with

OLM/ATMA for the following components of “Mo

Upakari Bagicha”.

III. Convergence Plan the details of convergence plan are as below. The estimated cost may vary as per

location of Mo Upakari Bagicha, prevailing wage and material rate.

Expected outcome:

Each “Mo Upakari Bagicha” will produce about 1 kg of vegetable and fruits per day which will meet

nutritional requirement of family of 4 members.

Implementation plan:

I. Implementing Agency: Panchayat Samiti will be the Implementing Agency for development of “Mo

Upakari Bagicha” under MGNREGS.

II. Coverage: 5 lakhs rural households, across 30 districts will be covered under Mo Upakari Bagicha

programme.

III. Household Selection Criteria: The beneficiaries of the ICDS Programme of the Women and Child

Development & Mission Shakti Department should be prioritised keeping in mind relevant provisions

mentioned in Para-5 of schedule-I of the Mahatma Gandhi NREGA as below. o As per para-5 of schedule-I

of the act, works related to individual assets shall be prioritised on land or homestead owned households

belonging to SC, ST, nomadic tribes, de-notified tribes, other families below the poverty line, women headed

households, physically handicapped headed households, beneficiaries of land reforms, the beneficiaries of

Rural housing scheme, beneficiaries of ST and other traditional forest dwellers and on lands of small and

marginal farmers will be selected and approved in Palli Sabha / Gram Sabha.

Session 2: Convergence of Mahatma Gandhi NREGA with other programmes.

Resource Person: Mr. Ambuja Bisoyi, Consultant, SIRD & PR

Major Points of Discussion:

Objective of Convergence

• Appreciable increase in income of rural poor household on sustainable basis.

• Investments in developing individual and community property resources which contributes to farm

productivity.

• Stabilise and diversify livelihoods options.

• To make the people socially progressive and economically self-reliant.

Convergence of Rural Housing with Mahatma Gandhi NREGS

Target:

To assimilate the Rural housing beneficiaries into the mainstream of economic livelihoods & social

upliftment.

Eligibility:

Beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna Grameen (PMAY-G) having job card-Master

circular-2018-19 para7.5.5

Beneficiaries under Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana (BPGY) having job card Master circular-2018-19

para7.5.5

Vulnerable section households eligible for individual assets described in Para 5 of scheduled-1

Mahatma Gandhi NREGS Act-2005

Small or Marginal farmers Households having job card as defined in the Agriculture Debt Waiver

and Debt Relief Scheme-2008

Individual Assets (Permissible Agricultural & Allied Activities)

SL NO PERMISSIBLE

WORK

UNIT COST

1 NADEP RS 14,000 /-

2 Vermi compost Rs.20,000 /-

3 Cattle Shed Rs.1,13,000 /- (revised to 66,000/-)

4 Goat Shed Rs. 44,000 /-

5 Piggery Shelter Rs.60,000 /-

6 Poultry Shelter Rs. 39,000 /-

7 Azolla as Cattle –feed Supplement Rs. 20,000 /-

8 Farm pond/Multi purpose Farm Pond UP to Rs.1.67 lakh

9 Dug well Rs 63,000 /- to 1,60,000 /-

10 Land Development Rs. 15,000 /- per hect.

11 Plantation As per the cost norm of Forest/Horticulture dept.

Benefits through the convergence with other schemes/programmes

• RSETI: Training and bank linkage for taking IGA

• DDU-GKY: Training to young persons(18-35yr in case of general & 18-45 yr for SC –ST

categories to earn Rs. 8000/- per month

• Labour Card: To daily labours to get the benefits of labour & ESI Dept.

• NSPGY- Coverage of Masons Drinking water facility, Electricity through BGJY and other

entitlements

• Social Security schemes: Widow , Old age , PWD pension

• Insurance: AMBY, Biju Swastha Kalyan Yojna

• Works under GGY,CFC/ SFC, Ama Gaon Ama Bikash etc

• Engagement of PWD under NREGS

• Coverage of women members in SHG/GPLF

• ICDS Package for mother and child

Plantation activities by PRIs under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS

Institutional Plantation:

1. Plantation in Govt Educational Institutions-Fruit bearing tree

2. Plantation in Anganwadi Centre-

3. Gram Panchayat office-Fruit bearing tree &Tamarind, Neem, Karanja

4. Orchard owned by GP-

5. GP Haats-Shady tree like Banyan, Neem, Baula

6. GP Pond-Betel nut, Coconut, Guava

7. Periphery of play ground-Shady tree

8. Gochar land-Fodder Cultivation

9. Road Side (Linear/Avenue) plantation-First and second row small &medium tree

10. Canal Bund Plantation -Banyan, Peepal, Almond, coconut

11. River Embankment-Neem, Karanja,Tamarind

12. Backyard plantation in the private lands of Households

13. In the premises of block office

14. In the premises of PHC/CHC

15. Farm Forestry

16. Horticulture

17. Block Plantation

Procurement of planting materials from

Nurseries raised under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS

Govt. Nurseries

Approved private nurseries by DPCs at rate fixed by Forest dept.

Construction and operationalisation of Rural Park

Identification of site:

An area of 10,000 – 20,000 sq. Ft owned by GP located amidst habitation and should be easily accessible.

Proper pucca Road connectivity should be preferred.

The ideal site for the park may be beside playground, bank, village pond etc.

Executive Agency:

Gram Panchayat

The project shall be completed within one year.

Target:

1570 Rural Parks in 314 Blocks @ 5 per Block during 2018-19

Amenities inside the Park

Land Development, Soak Pit, Green Fencing, Plantation, Small Pond – Mahatma Gandhi NREGA

Footpath, Lighting, Cement Bench, Children Play material, Open Gymnasium , Mandap, Signage ,

Welcome Arches– CFC / SFC

Toilets, Garbage Pit – SBM –G

Water Supply – NRDWP / Basudha / CFC / SFC

Flowering Plant – Horticulture

Amenities outside the Park

Approach road to park, Tube well ,Open cement water pit– CFC / SFC and Mahatma Gandhi

NREGA

Plantation on both side of the approach road – Mahatma Gandhi NREGA

Drain, Toilet, Garbage Disposal Pit – SBM – G

Parking Space – Internal Resource

Similarly several planning can be done by convergence with different programmes.

After the technical sessions of both the days, link for quiz was shared with the participants pertaining to the

subjects taught that day and the participants also attended them positively. Attendance and quiz was recorded

by google forms both days.

The virtual training programme ended with salient notes and vote of thanks from our Joint Director, Mr.

Saroj Kumar Dash and he also encouraged participants to work with enthusiasm for successful

implementation of the learning from this training programme.