APPRAISAL OF IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF NREGS
IN SELECTED DISTRICTS OF HIMACHAL PRADESH,
PUNJAB, HARYANA.
Districts: Hoshiarpur, Sirsa, Sirmaur
PERIOD JULY-AUGUST 2009
Sponsored By
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
India
(India Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development, (CRRID)
Sector 19-A, Madhya Marg, Chandigarh 160019)
TABLE OF CONTENTS Page No.
Executive Summary 3-22
Chapter I: Background & Context of NREGA in the State 23-33
Chapter II: District Selection Criteria & District Profile 34-45
Chapter III: Sample Size & Research Methodology 46-48
Chapter IV: Findings & Analysis 49-118
Chapter V: Remedial Action, Recommendations & 119-121
Future Interventions
Annexure
Worker Schedule 122-131
Gram Panchayat Schedule 132-145
Non-Worker / In-Direct Beneficiaries Schedule 146-150
Executive Summary
Under the professional Institutional networking (PIN) of Ministry of Rural Development,
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) sanction Appraisal of impact
assessment study, in the three districts namely Sirsa in Haryana, Sirmaur in Himachal
Pradesh and Hoshiarpur in Punjab. NREGS was started in the first phase in these
selected districts. Study has done according to the guidelines of UNDP and ministry of
rural development. The summary of the findings are as under:
Profile of the Districts:
Sirmaur
District Sirmaur is the southern end district of Himachal Pradesh. The district shares its
boundary with district Shimla in the north; district Solan in the northwest, Panchkula and
Yamuna Nagar districts of Haryana in the southwest and, Dehradun district of
Uttaranchal and Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh in the east. Its longitudinal and
latitudinal extend is from 77° 01’ 12” to 77° 49’ 40” East and from 30° 22’ 30” to 31° 01’
20” North respectively. The district has an area of 2825 Sq. km. Which is only about 5
per cent of the area of the state? It ranks eighth in term of size in the 12 districts in the
state.
The altitude varies from about 450 meters to 3647 meters and the general slope of the
area is from northwest to southeast. River Giri, a tributary of rive Yamuna, drains most of
the water of district. River Tons, another tributary of river Yamuna, river Markanda and
some other seasonal streams also contribute in draining the rainwater form the district.
Whereas Churdhar range runs along its border with district Shimla in the north Shivalik
range in the south forms its boundary with Haryana. River Tons and river Yamuna
demarcate its eastern and southeastern boundary. River Giri divides the district into two
distinct physiographic regions. The region to its north is called as Trans- Giri region and
the one to its south of this river is as Cis- Giri region. The mountain ranges of Trans
region have comparatively higher elevation than those of Cis- Giri regions. The Cis- Giri
region also has an open valley or Kiar-Ka-doon between the Shivalik range and the
Dharthi Dhar. The Western part of this open valley is drained by river Markanda and the
eastern part, which is also called as by river Bata.
Sirsa
Sirsa is one of the largest district of Haryana in term of its population and net area.
District is agricultural developed and a food bowl of Haryana. Main crops grown in the
district are wheat, paddy and Cotton. The name of the district derived from its
headquarter Sirsa, it is said to be the oldest place of the North India. Presently district
comprises four tehsil namely Sirsa, Dabwali, Rania and Ellanabad. It has 7 development
blocks, 4 Towns, 325 Villages and 333 Gram Panchayats. Its total population according
to 2001 census is 11, 16,649 comprising of 5, 93,245 male and 5, 23,404 female. The
sex ratio of district is 882. About 26 percent population lives in the urban area.
Hoshiarpur
The district Hoshiarpur is located in the north-eastern part of the state. It is situated in
the Bist Doab (area between Beas and Satluj rivers) cultural geographic region of the
state. The district is bounded by districts Kangra and Una, of Himachal Pradesh, in the
northeast, district Gurdaspur in the northwest, districts Jalandhar and Kapurthala
(interspersed) in the southwest, and district Nawan shahar in the south. The district
extends from 30’-51’ north to 32’-05’ north latitude and 75’-32’ east to 76’-12’ east
latitude. The district has an elongated shape with a slightly more width in the northern
portion of the district, especially along an imaginary east-west line, slightly north of
Hoshiarpur town, through the trifurcation point between the boundaries of Hoshiarpur,
Gurdaspur and Kapurthala districts and Tanda town. From this line, the width of the
district tapers towards south-east as well as towards the north.
Objective of the study
Objectives
The objectives of this study are:
� To identify efficient management practices, procedures, processes, factors, for
better performance and generation of positive impact of the scheme ;
� To suggest interventions and strategies for dissemination of those practices and
factors that can help to check the shortcomings of this scheme;
� To help and lend support to the implementing agencies in evolving the design
addressing implementation challenges more effectively.
� To search strategically better approach for strengthening the capacity of selected
district in implementing process.
� To built social capital formation through awareness generation, social
mobilization and social audit.
� To study effectiveness of NREGS in employment generation.
� To study the effect of fiscal decentralization through NREGA.
� To study effectiveness of social auditing.
However, main focus of the study is to search better strategically approaches for
strengthening the capacity of each three district in implementation process and creation
of positive impact on the rural development programmes.
Methodology
The study adopts following criterion for sample design in selection of blocks, gram
Panchayats, works, workers and non workers.
� The sample consists of 6 blocks, in total, selecting two blocks from each of the
selected three districts.
� Blocks were selected on the basis of performance indicators like, Job cards,
persondays generation and utilization of funds .On the basis of these indicators
one block is selected from the better performing blocks and the other from the
poor performing blocks.
� 24 Gram Panchayats (GPs) in total 4GPs from each block 4 GPs were selected
based on the performance indicators, like job cards, funds utilization, manages
generated. Two Panchayats were selected from better performing Panchayats
and another two from the poor performing Panchayats. Out of selected four
Panchayats, three Panchayats were those where work was on going and one
Panchayat where work was completed.
� From each gram Panchayat (GP), one work has been selected for survey.
Therefore, 24 works, in total, has been studied. Out of these all 24 works, 18
were ongoing works and 6 were completed works.
� From each district 80 workers (10 per each Panchayat) and 40 non-
workers/gram sabha members (5 per each Panchayat) were interviewed.
Workers from the categories of women and SC were given due representation in
the entire sample.
� In total 240 workers, (minimum 10 workers in each village) and. in addition to that
120 non workers (5 per village) were also interviewed. Panchayat members,
community leaders, gram sabha members and government functionaries were
also contacted to study the impact of the programme, problems faced during the
implementation of the scheme and their suggestions, for improving the program
Summary on main findings of Panchayat perception, worksite verification,
workers and non workers assessment of NREGS is given as under:
1. Panchayats Perception
Role of Gram Panchayats is becoming extremely crucial in planning and implementation
of the rural development scheme. NREGA is a holistic scheme, which not only covers
the construction related activities but also cover the livelihood and sustainability of
natural resources at village level. In this context, Panchayats has to play a bigger role
encompassing the activities related to infrastructure, human development and livelihood
issues. Following is the findings on the Panchayats Perception.
i) Training
Panchayat members
It was asked from the Panchayat members whether they got any training on NREGA, all
of the elected Panchayats in districts of Sirsa and Sirmaur reported that they received
training, whereas only one fifth of the Panchayats in Hoshiarpur district received training
on NREGA.
Extension of capacity building activity to various stakeholders
In addition to elected members of Gram Panchayats and Gram sabha members, other
stakeholder in the NREGA are Social Audit Committee member, Grievance Committee
Members, Government Functionaries and Vigilance Committee Members, Training and
awareness for them is equally important as these bodies, especially social audit
committees are acting as a watchdog. Data collected show that all selected
Panchayats in district Sirmaur, formed the social audit committee and in their GP’s
where as in Sirsa only one selected GP has formed a social audit committee and in
Hoshiarpur only two selected Gram Panchayats has a functional social audit committee.
All the members of two SACs got training in District Hoshiarpur and in District Sirsa out
of 6 members 5 got training whereas in District Sirmaur 70% percent of formed
committee got training on NREGA.
Grievance Committee Members
In Hoshiarpur and Sirsa districts Grievance committee was not formed in any selected
Gram Panchayats. Whereas 3 Panchayat in Sirmaur district has a grievance committee
and only one Panchayat reported that training has been provided to grievance
committee members.
Government Functionaries
Training to the government functionaries regarding all aspect of NREGA is equally
important. Therefore it is enquired whether Panchayat secretaries and other village level
functionaries received training. It has been found that Training of these functionaries was
good in Himachal Pradesh and just average was in Punjab and Haryana .There is a
need to provide rigorous training to all functionaries working at the Panchayati level.
ii) Panchayati Awareness about Measurement Book (MB)
It has been mentioned that Panchayats awareness with regard to measurement Book
among Panchayat members is very good in Sirsa a compared to Hoshiarpur and
Sirmaur District GPs
iii) Mode of work Allocation
The Mode of allocation of work to workers different in all the Districts. Whereas in District
Sirsa of Haryana, all Panchayats gave consolidated work to worker, so that they can
work accordingly to their own time. In Sirmaur all Panchayats giving Work on daily basis.
In Hoshiarpur only one Panchayats gave consolidated work and remaining allocated
work on daily basis
iv) Impact of NREGA
To assess the impact of NREGA programmes on wage earners, agriculture, irrigation,
poverty, reduction, connectivity and also on the functioning of PRI’s, views of
Sarpanches and other members of Panchayats of the selected Gram Panchayats of all
the three Districts were sought. The main point which emerged from the input provided
by them is as under:
Wage Earner
One of the main objectives of NREGA is to provide 100 days wage employment to the
job card holders. Therefore it is important to know what impact this programme has
made on wage earner. All the Panchayats reported that economic condition of the wage
earners has improved and moreover the workers need not to go outside the village to
seek work.
Panchayati Raj Institution
With regard to NREGA’s impact on the functioning of PRI’ who is one of the major stake
holders in NREGA programmes. All the Panchayats in District Sirmaur, 62.5 percent of
in district Sirsa and almost same percentage in Hoshiarpur district reported that due to
NREGA their workload has been increased very significantly because they have to
maintain various records. Another positive finding is that Panchayats in district Sirmaur
reported that due to NREGA people’s faith in Panchayats has increased. Panchayats
from the entire three districts also reported that flow of funds to Panchayat has also
increased. One Panchayat each from Sirsa and Hoshiarpur reported that now
decentralization is becoming a reality due to NREGA.
Agriculture and Irrigation
More than 62 percent of the selected Panchayats in Sirsa district and nearly three-fourth
Panchayats in Sirmaur district reported that agricultural productivity has increased due to
NREGA activities. But more than 87 percent Panchayats of District in Hoshiarpur
reported that NREGA did not have any impact on agriculture and irrigation
Connectivity
Under NREGA many activities like construction of link roads, path ways etc. has been
undertaken to improve the connectivity for the overall development of the rural areas,
which also provide linkages with the markets. No doubt some Panchayats from district
Sirsa and Sirmaur did report that NREGA do not have any positive impact on the
connectivity, all selected Panchayats of district Hoshiarpur and more than 62% of Sirsa
and Sirmaur reported that due to NREGA there is over all development of the area due
to construction of link road, pulia and bridges etc.
Women
With regard to the impact of NREGA on women folk, all the Panchayats in district Sirsa,
more than 87% of Sirmaur and about three-fourths of district Hoshiarpur reported that
women belonging to poor strata of the villages are getting jobs and their wages are
same as of men, which otherwise are getting very less.
Impact of NREGA on workers migration
Migration has both negative and positive impact on migrant’s lives. On the one hand it
creates vast economic opportunities and there by help in removing the abject poverty,
improving socio- economic condition of the migrant’s family, on the other hand the
worker has to face many difficulties at the work place intern of denial of basic facilities
like sanitation, drinking water and proper housing. Therefore NREGA is a positive step to
curb distress migration. Data gathered during survey show that there in no change in in-
migration of the workers to their Panchayats area in district Sirmaur and Hoshiarpur
where as 37 percent Panchayats in district Sirsa reported that in migration has
decreased due to NREGA work at their native place. But on the other side there is a
decrease in out migration from the villagers. All the Panchayats in District Sirmaur,
three-fourth in Hoshiarpur and 50 percent in Sirsa reported that out migration from their
village has decreased.
v) Social audit committee
One of the tools of good governance is social audit .In Panchayat act of all states Gram
sabha been empowered to act as a watchdog. The main motto of social audit is to assist
disadvantaged groups and encourage community participation for collective decision
making. From the transparency and accountability point of view, social audit is more
important. It was found that 62.50 % gram Panchayats of district Sirsa, 87.50 % of
Sirmaur and only about 25 % gram Panchayats in Hoshiarpur district formed the social
audit committees.
vi) People‘s awareness about RTI act
It was enquired from Panchayats whether or not people in their Panchayat areas are
aware about the RTI act. About half of the selected gram Panchayats of district Sirsa
and Sirmaur and only 12.50 percent of district Hoshiarpur reported that people are
aware about RTI act. It shows that awareness about RTI act is good in Sirmaur and
Sirsa districts but poor in the district Hoshiarpur.
vii) Problem in implementation of NREGA
Main Problems stated by selected Panchayats in different Districts are as under:
Sirsa
� Delay in receiving of funds (62.5 percent gram Panchayats)
� 60:40 ratios is not suitable (62.5 percent gram Panchayats)
� Lack of staff (50% gram Panchayat)
� Banks are far away and bank staff is not cooperative (50%)
� Supervision of work and lack of awareness (37.50%)
� Corruption (12.50%)
� Assessment of work delayed because one J.E in whole block (50%)
Sirmaur
� Delay in receiving of funds (62.5%)
� 60:40 ratios is not suitable because of hilly terrain (62.50%)
� Lack of staff (50%)
� Banks are far away and staff is not cooperative (37.50%)
� Problems in material transportation (25%)
Hoshiarpur
� Delay in receiving of funds (75%)
� Lack of staff (50%)
� Assessment of work delayed because one J.E in whole block (62.50%)
� No funds to purchase working tool (37.50%)
� Lack of proper supervision (37.50%)
� Lack of awareness about guidelines of NREGA (50%)
From the above the common problem emerges are:
� Lack of Proper trained staff.
� Delay in receiving funds.
� Lack of awareness on different aspect of NREGA guidelines and convergence
with other department etc.
2. Worksite verification
Out of 24 selected GPs of three districts, 18 Gram Panchayats were selected where
works were on going stage. The Team visited all the worksites during working hours. At
most of the time visits to worksites were unannounced. The Team held informal
discussion with the labourers, mates and women in separate group or individual in order
to get the first hand information on the implementation of NREGA activities. Workers
were also educated by the team regarding the main features of NREGA, particularly
about their rights to get 100 days employment in a year about which majority of the
workers in all selected gram Panchayats were not aware about it. Besides inspecting the
work site facilities, the team also made field observation and discussed the economic
usefulness of the work created. After meeting the workers on worksites the team also
visited the Panchayat offices and verified the records and the muster roles which most of
the time were lying with the Panchayats or even not available for verification. The team
also discussed the problems of workers with the elected members of Panchayats and
requested them to rectify the problem faced by the workers on worksite. Selected
ensured the team regarding implementation scheme in a better way. The district-wise
findings of worksite verification is given as under.
i) Muster Role
Availability of Muster role at the time of visit
At the time of the visit by the team to various worksites in the three selected districts. It
was found. In District Sirsa MR was not available at any of the worksites. The main
reason for its absence from the worksites was that in District Sirsa MR is filled only after
the completion of work. In district Sirmaur MR was available only with half of the
Panchayats. The remaining half of the Panchayats reported that the MR is available in
Government offices or with some other person locally.
Updating of Muster role
MR was found updated at 60% of worksite in Hoshiarpur district and only at one worksite
in Sirmaur district, in Sirsa district since MR is Updated only after the completion of work,
therefore, it was found incomplete at all the worksites
ii) Actual Labour available at worksite at the time of visit
At the time of the visit of the team to the various worksites in the three districts, more
then 20 workers were found actually working at 4 worksites in district Sirsa and 1
worksite each in district Sirmaur and Hoshiarpur. Similarly between “15-20” labourers
were found at one location in Sirsa district and at 4 worksites in district Sirmaur and at
one worksite in Hoshiarpur Districts.
iii) Irregularities in MR
Irregularity was found at all the 6 Worksites of District Sirsa, as MR was not available at
any of the worksites. These Irregularities happened due to the fact that in district Sirsa
MR is updated only after the completion of work.
In District Sirmaur, irregularities in MR were found at 80 Percent of work sites verified. In
district Hoshiarpur, an irregularity in MR was found in half of the verified works
iv) Facilities available at work site
� Shades for period of rest were not available at any work site of selected GP’s of
all the three districts.
� Drinking water facility was available at all the work site of District Sirsa and
available at more than 83 % worksite of District Hoshiarpur and only at one
worksite of District Sirmaur.
� First aid kit was available at half worksites of district Sirsa, and only one site of
district Hoshiarpur and none of selected worksites of district Sirmaur has first aid
kit facility at the worksites.
� Child care facility was not available at any of the worksites of three Districts.
v) Vigilance committee formed
The vigilance committee was formed in district Sirmaur at half the GPs and only at one
GP in district Sirsa. In district Hoshiarpur not a single verified GP verified has a vigilance
committee, beside the vigilance committees formed were active only in district Sirmaur.
vi) Contractor‘s involvement
As per NAREGA guidelines involvement of contractors in the execution of work is not
permitted. In violation of these guidelines, involvements of contractors were noticed at
two worksites in District Sirsa and at one worksite in Hoshiarpur district.
vii) Use of Labour displacing machine
Like the involvement of contractors, use of labour displacing machines is also not
permitted in NREGA works. Despite that machines were used in the execution of works
at one worksite each in district Sirsa and district Hoshiarpur.
viii) Mate got training
Training to mate was not provided at any of the worksites in district of Sirsa and Sirmaur
but in district Hoshiarpur three days training was provided to one of the mates working at
one worksite.
ix) Mate having equipment
Out of six mate in district Sirsa 5 were having basic equipments, that is measuring tape
and measuring pole, needed for work measurement. Three of them were also having
electronic calculators to facilitate accurate calculation of works. One mate however has a
measurement sheet to record the measurement of works.
x) Economic useful of assets being created, maintained or repaired as per
investigator
The investigators who conducted the survey also assessed the usefulness of created
assets at various worksites in three districts. As per their assessment in Sirmaur and
Hoshiarpur district, assets created at 5 out of 6 worksites in each district were rated
either very useful or quite good. In district Sirsa assets created at 3 out of 6 worksites
were rated either very good or quite good. The assets created at the remaining worksites
in the three districts were rated either not particularly useful or useless
3. Detail of workers and their Perceptions about NREGA
One of the main objectives of NREGS is to provide 100 days wage employment to the
members of household who have got the job card. Therefore workers are the major
stakeholders in the process of implementation of NREGS. Keeping the fact in mind an
effort was made to know the socio economic background, age sex, educational level,
and occupation etc of the workers selected for the interview. Attempt was made to know
about the problem they faced in submitting their application for seeking work, getting job
card and opening of bank account, irregularities if any in getting wages or unemployment
allowance, and status of facilities provided at worksite etc. this information was collected
through a well structured questionnaire. For this purpose 240 workers, 80 from each
district were interviewed. These findings are as discussed below
i) Process of Getting Job Card: Getting job card is one of the main tasks in
NREGS because employment is to be provided on the basis of it. It was enquired from
the workers whether they had applied to the GP for registration in written or orally. More
than three-fourth respondents in all selected GPs applied for registration in writing. In
district Sirmaur more than 88 percent selected workers told that they had submitted
written application for issuing of job card
ii) Information Source: Source of information regarding NREGS was also
enquired, and it was found that more than 98 percent cases responded that one of main
source was their gram Panchayats. It was gram Panchayats particularly
Sarpanch/Pradhan, who told the wage earner to get, register for job cards
Media Radio: Though much information is provided through Radio, on NREGS but it
was only a source for few workers
Media TV: Though worker admitted that they have no time to watch the TV, still more
than 27 percent of total selected worker in all the three district and 45 percent of
Hoshiarpur district reported TV as a source of awareness on NREGS.
Media News Papers: Newspapers have minimum impact on the workers awareness,
because majority of the workers were illiterate and newspaper is also not available to
them.
Government Functionaries: Govt. functionaries were not playing very much role in
creating awareness among the working class.
iii) Expenses on Job Card: More than 38 percent of total worker selected in all
three districts reported that they did expenses on job card particularly on the photo to be
pasted on job card. In district Hoshiarpur more than 57 percent selected worker reported
some expenses incurred on job card.
iv) Photo of Beneficiary on Job Card: During the survey, efforts were also made
to check whether or not the job cards of the beneficiaries carried their photograph. It was
found that while job cards of 87 percent carried their photographs, about 5 percent of the
job cards were without any photograph. The status of the remaining job cards (more
then 8 percent) is not clear as they were not shown to the investigators, although most of
the owners of such cards clamed that their job cards do carry their photograph. Although
issue of job cards without photograph is a irregularities as such card can be misused.
But these are seldom misused because everybody in the village is personally known to
the members of Gram Panchayat.
v) Mode of Application submitted for employment: As per NREGA Guidelines
Gram Panchayats or Block programme office shall provide unskilled manual work to the
applicant within fifteen days of receipt of application preferably with in a radius of 5 kms
of the village where the applicant resides. The request for work may be oral or in written
form. More than 60 percent of the workers reported that they asked for work in writing,
while others just asked verbally. In Hoshiarpur more than half of the workers asked for
work only in verbal form while about 22 percent of the workers in Sirmaur district made
verbal request. This shows that employment providing agencies, whether it is Panchayat
or Block office, are not insisting for written application and thus following the NREGA
guidelines in this respect in letter and spirit.
vi) Panchayat Issued dated Receipt of Written Application: As per NREGA
guidelines, Panchayats are supposed to issue a dated receipt to the applicants on
receiving the written or verbal application for employment. But it has been reported that
in most cases no receipt is issued. Panchayats generally avoid giving receipt of
application work. Out of the total 145 selected workers written application received in the
three districts, receipt were issued to only 77 or about half of the applicants. The
compliance with the NREGA rules in this respect was comparatively more in Sirmaur
district where out of 62 applicants receipt was issued to 44 (70%). By contrast, in Sirsa
district out of 44 applicants, receipt was issued only to 14 (32%).
vii) Time Period taken for Wage Disbursement: Under this scheme it is ensured
that the workers get payment for the work done by them within a short span of time. Our
enquiry reveled that about 69 percent of total workers got their wages within a fortnight.
Infect 10 percent of the total workers got their wages within one week. The remaining
workers were paid within one month. Inter district variations especially in the time taken
for making payments to workers especially if it is divided into just two time periods that is
within fortnight and after fortnight, are not very significant. This shows that workers are
getting their wages without much delay.
viii) Expenses Incurred at the time of Opening of Bank Account: More than 65
percent of total workers reported that they spend some money at the time of opening of
bank account. District-wise analysis of data shows that 73 percent workers in Hoshiarpur
incurred expenses. Main item of expenses is on photographs which were pasted on job
card.
ix) Mode of Payment: More than 87 percent of the workers were getting wages
through Bank and about 8 percent through Post Office. Only about 5 percent of workers
got their wages through other mode. Payment through other modes is relatively more
popular in Hoshiarpur district.
x) Satisfaction from work Measurement: Nearly 77 percent of the total workers
were satisfied from the work measurement, which they were to do in a day. About 38
percent workers of district Sirmaur and more than 27 percent of Sirsa were not satisfied
with the work measurement.
xi) Regular Mate: Nearly 43 percent of the total workers reported that there is no
regular mate. This problem is more acute in district Sirmaur where more then 62 percent
of the workers reported the non availability of regular mate.
xii) Impact on Income of the Workers: In this survey impact of NREGA on the
income of workers was also assessed. About 59 percent of the total workers reported
considerable increase in their income due to NREGA. Infect more then 82 percent of the
workers from district Sirsa reported considerable increase in their income. Only about 16
percent of the workers reported no increase in their income. These workers were from
Sirmaur and Hoshiarpur district.
xiii) Children attending School: It has been reported that children of nearly 62
percent of the workers are attending school. In district Sirmaur children of more than 76
percent of workers were attending the school.
xiv) Impact on Expenditure on Food Item: More than 77 percent of workers
reported that their expenditure on food item has increased. In fact 97.50 percent of
workers of district Sirsa reported increased expenditure on food items. About one-third of
the selected workers of district Sirmaur reported that food expenditure remains the
same.
xv) Impact on Non-food Item: It has been reported by more then 65 percent of the
workers that their expenditure on Non-food item has also increased. Only about one-
third of the reported that expenditure remains the same and NREGA has no impact.
xvi) Persondays completed: Each worker was asked how many days; he worked on
NREGA project in a year. The average persondays was 46.36 in the district Hoshiarpur
in the year 2008-09. The average persondays in district Sirmaur and Sirsa was 30.40 in
the years 2008-09
xvii) Benefits according to workers: Workers were asked to state the benefits from
the NREGS. Following were the main benefits reported by the workers.
� Improvement in socio economic living condition of the workers.
� Land improvements and Soil conservation activities helping agricultural activities.
� Increase in irrigation facility & Agriculture Production.
� Employment generation with in the village.
� Sure Payment against workdays.
� Women are getting job at their door step.
xviii) Workers reported the following problems in relations to their work
experience:
� Guaranteed 100 days are less
� Delay in payments of wages.
� Wages are less & work is more.
� Work allotment is more.
� Lack of Basic Facilities at work site.
� Lack of awareness about of 100 days guarantee of wage employment.
� Wages are less as compared to market rate.
4. Non- Workers Assessment
One of the most important objectives of NREGA is to create durable assets for the
benefits of all residents living in the areas. The works on soil and water conservation
give fillip to not only conservation of water and soils but also to raise agricultural
productivity. The works on digging of ponds not only increase the water holding capacity
of ponds but also provide opportunity to start fishing activities in these ponds. Similarly
works on rural connectivity open many opportunities for the people to start livelihood
activities on a commercial basis. Due to all these reason, it becomes necessary to study
the overall impact of NREGA not only on workers but also on the community as a whole.
Attempts were therefore made to seek the views of workers as well as non-worker on
the success and problems of NREGA implementation. For this purpose, 120 non-worker
or residents of the village Panchayat were interviewed and their views about impact of
NREGA on the lives of people have been sought. The findings of the survey are
provided below.
i) Awareness about NREGA
More than 97 percent respondents of district Sirsa, 90 percent of district Sirmaur and 95
percent of district Hoshiarpur were aware about NREGA. The main sources of
awareness were: Panchayats, Radio, Television and Newspapers. The government
functionaries has little role in the districts of Sirsa and Sirmaur, where as more than 28
percent respondents of district Hoshiarpur reported that government functionaries
particularly Panchayat secretaries were also providing information regarding NREGA to
the people
ii) Impact of NREGA according to Non-Worker
Views of the respondent with regard to the impact of NREGA on wage earners, women,
poverty, Panchayats agriculture, irrigation and connectivity were sought.
Wage Earner
Non-worker feels that due to start of NREGA economic condition of the wage earners
has improved a lot and moreover they are getting job on their door step. All the
respondents of Hoshiarpur district and more than 97 percent of district Sirsa and 80
percent of Sirmaur reported that conditions of workers has improve as compared to their
position earlier.
Women: Eighty percent respondents of district Sirsa and more than 57 percent of
Hoshiarpur reported that economic conditions of women improved and women are
getting job at their door step. In district Sirmaur, not much impact on women was
reported by respondent, because only few women worked in NREGA.
Panchayats: More than half of the respondents in district Sirmaur, about 87 percent in
district Sirsa and 70 percent respondents of district Hoshiarpur reported that workload of
Panchayat has increased. About one-third respondent of district Sirmaur and Hoshiarpur
reported that due to NREGA, Panchayats participation in development activities has
increased a lot. In district Sirsa, 80 percent respondent viewed that people’s faith in
Panchayat has increased. Eighty percent respondents in district Sirsa, one-fourth in
Sirmaur, and 60 percent respondents in district Hoshiarpur reported that Fund flow to
Panchayat has been regular and increased. Few respondents also reported that
Panchayats are now generating the employment.
Poverty: Majority of the respondents in the three selected districts viewed that poverty
has declined among the workers. Few respondents however also reported that it has
little impact on poverty, because workers are not getting 100 days employment as
envisaged in the act.
Agriculture: NREGA impact on agriculture is of every one’s interest, therefore it is
asked from the respondents that whether NREGA has any impact on increase in
agriculture productivity and improvement in irrigation facilities. Data shows that more
than 62 percent respondents of district Hoshiarpur reported no impact, about one-fifth of
the respondents of district Sirsa and 55 percent of district Sirmaur reported increase in
agriculture production.
Connectivity: As many of the NREGA works were done for improving the connectivity
of the villages, therefore perception of the common people regard to the usefulness of
this works was worth. Sixty percent respondents in districts of Sirsa and Sirmaur and 80
percent in Hoshiarpur district viewed that there is an overall development of the area due
to construction of pulia, bridge and paths under NREGA.
Environment and Sanitation: More than 77 percent respondents of district Sirmaur, 80
percent of Sirsa and 60 percent of district Hoshiarpur reported no impact of NREGA on
Environment and Sanitation.
Horticulture
Some works for the development of horticulture was also undertaken by the NREGA
implementing agencies in the three districts under convergence with other departments.
Therefore reaction of respondents with regards to the impact of NREGA on promotion of
horticulture was also taken. Majority of the respondents reported no change or negligible
impact on horticulture. In actual practice, there is no convergence with horticulture and
other departments, which is expected from NREGA implementing agencies.
ii) Benefits to Marginal and Small Farmers: NREGA activities must benefit
marginal and small farmers, as they form the major chunk of population living in rural
areas and with no other alternative for their livelihood. Respondents were asked whether
or not land development activities benefited marginal and small farmers. There is a mix
response to this query, Fifty five percent respondents in district Sirsa, more than 42
percent in Sirmaur and 45 percent in district Hoshiarpur reported that marginal and small
forms are getting benefits from the NREGA activities.
iii) Involvement in Work Selection: As NREGA works are to be approved by gram
sabha with the involvement of common people, therefore respondents were asked
whether or not they were involved in the selection of works. Data shows that 70 percent
respondent in district Sirsa, 65 percent each in Sirmaur and Hoshiarpur district reported
their non-involvement in work selection. It shows that people’s involvement in plan
preparation and work selection is very limited. Thus there is a need to create awareness
among common people about their rights and responsibilities so that their involvement in
NREGA works can be enhanced
iv) Problems in implementation of NREGS: According to the Respondents
following are the main problems in the implementation of NREGS.
• Less awareness among people
• Proper work selection is not done with people’s participation and transparent manner
• Irregularity in the funds reaching to GP
• Number of job card issued is less then number of people, but more people are willing
to work (especially in Hoshiarpur district)
• No work assessment by third party and
• Lack of transparency and accountability
v) Awareness about RTI: RTI is one of the major tool for enhancing the
transparency and accountability. Awareness about it must reach to the common people
to achieve its objectives. Data shows that majority of the respondent in all the selected
GPs of three districts were not aware about it.
5. Remedial Action, Recommendations & Future Interventions
During the course of survey, various stakeholders were contacted and interviewed on
the implementation of the NREGS. Their views on the problems, confronted by the
Panchayats, workers, non-workers, and government functionaries were taken and
suggestions to improve the functioning of the programmes were also sought. This
chapter discusses the remedial action, recommendations and future interventions,
required for the better implementation of the programme. These are listed below
according to the stakeholders.
i) Gram Panchayats
Panchayats being the main implementing agency of NREGA programme their views
about NREGA are very important for the research team. The team therefore interacted
with twenty-four gram Panchayats in the three selected districts. They have suggested
the following remedial actions.
Training
Though training was provided to the elected Panchayat members and also to some
other Gram sabha members. Yet there are still some stakeholders like social audit
committee member, grievance committee members, vigilance monitoring committee
members, Gram sabha members, government functionaries like Panchayats secretaries,
Sahayaks and Gram rozgar sewak who need to be provided proper training about
NREGA scheme. Training programmes are to be organized at appropriate level i.e.
District, block and even at Panchayats level.
Training content
Selected Panchayats suggested following training content:
• Convergence of works
• NREGA Act, guidelines
• Technical support in plan preparation
• Social Auditing and RTI Act
Involvement of other departments
Panchayats suggested that other departments like agriculture, irrigation, horticulture,
forest, P.W.D education and health should also be involved in NREGA implementation
so that proper convergence with their schemes can be done.
Other suggestions are:
• Role of Panchayats smitis and Zila parishads in NREGA implementation can be
enhanced by delegation certain powers and responsibilities to them.
• There is a need for involvement of common people in the preparation of annual
plan so that real needs of the people are addressed.
• Panchayat need technical support from some agency for making projects, which
can be funded through NREGS.
• Need for making committees like SAC, vigilance and monitoring committees
more functional.
• Flow of Funds to GPs should be regular, and not at the fag end of the year for
the timely utilization of funds.
• Need for more trained staff, particularly technical staff.
• Involvement of Contractor and use of machinery should be completely stopped.
• Mate should be appointed from within the workers with rotation and he should be
provided all the requisite equipments like measuring tape, measuring poles,
measuring sheets, calculators etc.
• Assets created under NREGS should be maintained.
• Panchayats should be educated about various activities which can be covered
under NREGS.
ii) Suggestions by the workers:
� Workers should be made aware about the guarantee of wage employment and in
case of failure, the provision of unemployment allowances
� Facilities at worksite should be provided.
� Daily wages should be enhanced as per market rate.
� Provide regular and more than 100 days work
� Mate should be trained for measurement
� Wages should be given Daily or Weekly
� Work Measurement by J.E. should be on time.
� Regular staff for NREGA should be provided.
� Wages should be increased.
� Muster roll sheet should be at work site.
� Awareness camp should be organized at village level.
� Wages should be increased.
� Workers should be involved in work selection.
iii) Assessment by Non workers
� Continuous work should be provided to the workers
� Awareness camps on NREGA should be organized at GP level
� Work assessment and monitoring should be done by outside agency
� Strengthening of Social Audit System
� Wages should be paid in time to the workers
� Available funds should be displaced on board and
� Need more transparency and accountability.
Recommendations
In view of above suggestions put forward by various stake holders, following
recommendations are suggested:
• To ensure people participation in NREGA programmes, selection of works should
be done through Gram Sabha Meetings.
• Sufficient staff should be recruited and trained for NREGS.
• Flow of funds should be made regular i.e. Panchayats should get money in each
quarter.
• Monitoring and evaluation of the work particularity during the on-going stage.
• Each district should provide facilities at worksite as per norms of NREGA.
• For the proper convergence of NREGS with the scheme of other departments,
the involvement of concerned departments with the NREGA programmes must
be ensured.
Chapter- I
Background & Context of NREGA in the States
The Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, initiated a holistic and
integrated development scheme, viz. National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme,
which came into force during February 2005, in 200 backward districts of India. During
2007, the scheme was extended to another 130 districts and since April 2008, this
scheme covers all other districts of India. This is the largest employment programme
ever started in the country with a huge public investment. The focus of the scheme is to
provide 100 days wage employment to rural households who wish to work and ask for
work. Panchayats are involved in the planning and implementation of the scheme and
creation of durable assets for sustainable development of the rural areas. There is a
complete ban on the involvement of contractors and use of machinery is prohibited. The
guidelines on NREGA clearly reflect the importance of social audit and greater emphasis
has been placed on transparency and accountability. Use of information technology
through online information is encouraged for the stakeholders for proper monitoring and
evaluation of the programme.
The NREGS document envisaged that focus of the scheme shall be on the following
works in their order of priority: (i) water conservation and water harvesting; (ii) drought
proofing (including afforestation and tree plantation); (iii) irrigation canals including micro
and minor irrigation works; (iv) provision of irrigation facility to land owned by households
belonging to the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes or to land of beneficiaries of
land reforms or that of the beneficiaries under the Indira Awas Yojana; (v) renovation of
traditional water bodies, including desilting of tanks; (vi) land development; (vii) flood
control and protection works, including drainage in water logged areas; (viii) rural
connectivity to provide all-weather access; and (ix) any other work, which may be
notified by the central government in consultation with the state government.
The scheme has been universalized for all persons living in rural areas instead of being
available only for the families ‘below poverty line’. The central government provides 90
per cent share of funds for the scheme. It also compensates various states if fund
crunch affects employment generation. Various social security measures provided under
the scheme are : (i) If any injury occurs to any persons employed under the scheme, he
or she shall be entitled to free of charge medical treatment; (ii) If a person employed
under the scheme dies or become permanently disabled by accident arising out of and in
course of employment, he shall be paid by the implementing agency an ex gratis
payment at the rate of rupees twenty-five thousand; and (iii) facilities of safe drinking
water, shade for children and periods of rest, first-aid box with adequate material for
emergency treatment for minor injuries and other health hazards connected with the
work being performed shall be provided at the work site.
Salient Features of the Act♣♣♣♣
a) Adult members of a rural household, willing to do unskilled manual work, may
apply for registration in writing or orally to the local Gram Panchayat.
b) The Gram Panchayat after due verification will issue a Job Card will bear the
photograph of all adult members of the household willing to work under NREGA
and it is free of cost.
c) The Job Card should be issued within 15 days of application.
d) A Job Card holder may submit a written application for employment to Gram
Panchayat, stating the time and duration for which work is sought. The minimum
days of employment have to be at least fourteen.
e) The Gram Panchayat will issue a dated receipt of the written application for
employment, against which the guarantee of providing employment within 15
days operates.
f) Employment will be given within 15 days of application for work, if it is not then
daily unemployment allowance as per the Act, has to be paid. Liability of
payment of unemployment allowance is of the States.
g) Work should ordinarily be provided within 5 km radius of the village. In case work
is provided beyond 5 km, extra wages of 10% are payable to meet additional
transportation and living expenses.
♣
Taken from the National Rural employment guarantee act 2005, operational guideline 2008
h) Wages are to be paid according to the Minimum Wages Act 1948 for agricultural
Labourers in the State, unless the Centre notifies a wage rate which will not be
less than Rs. 60/ per day. Equal wages will be provided to both men and women.
i) Wages are to be paid according to piece rate or daily rate. Disbursement of
wages has to be done on weekly basis and not beyond a fortnight in any case.
j) At least one-third beneficiaries shall be women who have registered and
requested work under the scheme.
k) Work site facilities such as crèche, drinking water, shade have to be provided.
l) The shelf of projects for a village will be recommended by the gram sabha and
approved by the zilla Panchayat.
m) At least 50% of works will be allotted to Gram Panchayats for execution.
n) A 60:40 wage and material ratio has to be maintained/no contractors and
machinery is allowed.
o) The Central Government bears the 100 percent wage cost of unskilled manual
labour and 75 percent of the material cost including the wages of skilled and
semi skilled workers.
p) Social Audit has to be done by the Gram Sabha.
q) Grievance redressal mechanisms have to be put in place for ensuring a
responsive implementation process.
r) All accounts and records relating to the Scheme should be available for public
scrutiny.
Paradigm Shift from Wage Employment Programmes:
NREGA marks a paradigm shift all precedent wage employment programmes. The
significant aspects of this paradigm shift are captured below:
a) NREGA provides a statutory guarantee of wage employment.
b) It provided a rights-based framework for wage employment. Employment is
dependent upon the worker exercising the choice to apply for registration, obtain
a Job Card, and seek employment for the time and duration that the worker
wants.
c) There is a 15 days time limit for fulfilling the legal guarantee of providing
employment.
d) The legal mandate of providing employment in a time bound manner is
underpinned by the provision of Unemployment Allowance.
e) The Act is designed to offer an incentive structure to the State for providing
employment as ninety percent of the cost for employment provided is borne by
the Centre. There is a concomitant disincentive for not providing employment as
the States then bear the double indemnity of unemployment and the cost of
unemployment allowance.
f) Unlike the earlier wage employment programmes that were allocation based.
NREGA is demand driven. Resource transfer under NREGA is based on the
demand for employment and this provides another critical incentive to States to
leverage that Act to meet the employment needs of the poor.
g) NREGA has extensive inbuilt transparency safeguards.
(i) Documents: Job Cards recording entitlements (in the custody of workers)
written application for employment, Muster Rolls, Measurement Books
and Asset Registers.
(ii) Processes: Acceptance of employment application, issue of dated
receipts, time bound work allocation and wage payment, Citizen
Information Boards at worksites, Vigilance Monitoring Committees,
regular block, district and state level inspections and social audits.
h) The public delivery system has been made accountable, as it envisages an
Annual report on the outcomes of NREGA to be presented by the Central
Government to the Parliament and to the Legislature by the State Government.
Specifically personnel responsible for implementing the Act have been made
legally responsible for delivering the guarantee under the Act.
(i) There has been quite a sharp increase both in the number of total person-
days generated as well as per household, under this scheme. In many
states, a sharp improvement from the first year to the second year, in
terms of employment generated, can be quite observed.
In the light of above guidelines and salient features of NREGA, the scheme has been in
the state of Haryana, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. The state wise brief profile is given
as under.
1. HARYANA♣♣♣♣
The population of Haryana, according to the 2001 is 21,144,000 with 11,364,000 males
and 9,781,000 females. The Density is 477 people km2. Haryana along with neighboring
Punjab, has a skewed sex ratio at 861 with many more men than women. Selective
abortion of female fetuses has a very high prevalence, reflecting a widespread
preference for the male child.
Economy
Economy of Haryana relies on manufacturing, retailing and information outsourcing In
2006-07 Haryana received a foreign direct investment projects of over Rs 11,000 crore
in the state and corporate sector and had a fiscal deficit of 0.6 per cent in financial year
2006-07 Haryana also toped the list in terms of per capita investment in the fiscal year
2007 with an investment of Rs 1, 86,045 crore. Haryana is also considered one of the
most industrialized states in India with many SEZs. New plans for SEZs are of Reliance
Industries which has plans to set up a multi-product special economic zone in Haryana
at an investment of Rs 40,000 crore, the project will be India's largest SEZ spread over
25,000 acres. The state has a developed banking system with over 4500 bank
branches. The two financial hubs of Haryana, Gurgaon and Faridabad lie on the south
west of the state. The contribution of primary, secondary and tertiary sectors for the
Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) in 2007-08 was Rs. 21,265.92 crore, Rs.
30,919.95 crore and Rs.49,133.55 crore respectively.
Rural Development
The Directorate of Rural Development (DRD) plays a major role in the socio-economic
growth of the State by implementing various schemes for the upliftment of the rural
people. The Department has the responsibility to implement Special Centrally
Sponsored Rural Development Schemes. In order to effectively pursue the mandate, the
Department maintains regular coordination with the Government of India in the Ministry
of Rural Development, /Planning Commission, State Finance and Planning Departments
for release of funds under various schemes. At the district level, the schemes are
♣District profile has been taken from the official website
coordinated and implemented by the District Rural Development Agencies with the help
of Block agencies and other line departments. The Panchayati Raj Institutions are also
fully involved in planning, execution, monitoring of schemes at the field level. The
DRDAs are headed by the Additional Deputy Commissioners-cum-Chief Executive
Officers. The Engineering Wing of the Panchayati Raj Department is providing the
technical assistance and supervision.
Department of Rural Development implement following schemes
• Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY)
• Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY).
• Desert Development Programme (DDP)
• Integrated Wasteland Development Programme (IWDP)
• Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS)
• National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS)
• Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF)
2. Himachal Pradesh♣♣♣♣
Himachal Pradesh is located in the northwestern part of the country. It is bounded by
Jammu and Kashmir in the North, Punjab and Haryana in the Southwest, Uttaranchal in
the Southeast and China (Tibet) in the East. The geographical area of the state is 55673
sq. kms.
Topography
The state has a mountainous topography with elevation ranging from about 450 meters
to over 6500 meters from the mean sea level. The state is traversed by the Himalayan
and trans-Himalayan ranges. These ranges generally have northwest-southwest
disposition. The Shivalik range runs along its south-western boundary. The lesser and
the Great Himalayan ranges are located to the north of Shivalik range. The Zanskar
range is located in the extreme northwest. The land elevation generally increases as one
move from south to north, as well as, from east to west.
Climate
♣District profile has been taken from the official website
Because of topographic variations, the state has a vast climatic diversity which ranges
form hot and sub-humid tropical in the southwestern part to cold, alpine and glacier in
the higher reaches of Himalayan and trans-Himalayan ranges.
Like the variations in temperature, there are also vast variations in rainfall. The state has
places like Dharamshala (Kangra District) which receive very heavy rainfall and on the
other hand Lahul and Spiti areas receive very scanty rainfall. The state broadly
experience three seasons that is summer season, rainy season and winter season.
Summer season lasts from mid April to June end. During this period mean maximum
temperature remains between 28°c to 32°c in most of the areas. In alpine zone summers
are comparatively milder. The rainy season extends from the beginning of July to the
end of September. Winter season lasts from mid-November to mid March. Snowfall is
common during winter, especially in areas having elevation more than 2200 meters.
Administrative Divisions
The state is divided into 12 districts and further into 75 tehsils and 34 sub-tehsils for
administrative purposes. Under Community Development Programme the district is
divided into 77 C.D. Blocks. For the governance at the grass root level the 20118
villages have been organized into 3243 Gram Panchayats under the Panchayati Raj
System.
Population
� As per the census of India 2001, Himachal has a population of 6,077,248
(includes estimated figures for district Kinnaur) out of which 3,085,256 are males
and 2,991,972 females. The main characteristics of this population are as
follows:
� Population Density (persons per sq. km) 109
� Sex ratio (Number of females per thousand males) 970
� Percentage of Rural Population 90.21
� Percentage of Urban Population 9.79
� Percentage of Population dependent on Agriculture 93
� 0-6 population as percentage of total population 12.84
� Sex Ratio of 0-6 population 897
� Literacy: (a) Total 77.13
(b) Male 86.02
(c) Female 68.08
� Number of Villages 20,118
� Number of Towns 57
These figures show that Himachal has a comparatively low density of population. This is
mainly due to hilly terrain. The low level of urbanization in the state can also be
attributed to a great degree to adverse terrain conditions and low level of
industrialization. About 93 percent of the population in the state is dependent on
agriculture which suggests that employment opportunities outside agriculture should be
created.
Agriculture
Agriculture is the main source of income as well as employment in Himachal. About 93%
of the states population is dependent on agriculture. It contributes nearly 45% to the net
state domestic product.
The Agriculture sector in Himachal faces many problems such as, low percentage of
area available for cultivation, very little scope for expansion of cultivated area, low fertility
of soils, acute problem of soil erosion, very high dependence on rainfall, low level of farm
mechanization, hilly terrain etc. Despite all these problems most farmers, especially
those who grow vegetables, seed potato, ginger, hops and other high value crops and
fruits get good returns from the land. Cultivation of food grains like wheat, paddy, and
maize is mostly confined to low altitude areas like Kangra Valley, Soan Doon (Una
District), Mandi and Kiar-da-doon (Sirmaur district). Barley is grown at higher altitudes.
Topographic and climatic diversity allows farmers to grow a large variety of fruits,
vegetables and other high value crops. More over Himachal produces vegetables in a
season when these are not available in the plains and thus farmers of Himachal earn
good profit by selling their produce in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and many other areas.
3. Punjab♣♣♣♣
♣District profile has been taken from the official website
Punjab is located in the northwestern part of the country. The word Punjab consists of
the two words "Panj" and "Aab" where Panj means five and Aab means water. This
name was given to this region to symbolize its five rivers. The Northwest location of the
state and its fertile land created a strong attraction for foreign influence. Persians, Arabs,
the British, and Turko-Mongolians were a few of the groups which contributed to its
development. Punjab also was a nurturing ground to several religious movements such
as Buddism, Sikhism and several schools of Islam.
Area: 50,362 square kilometers (Punjab occupies 1.54 % of the country’s total geographical
area)
Location: Punjab is situated in the northwest of India, it is bordered by Pakistan on the west, the
Indian states of Jammu and Kashmir on the north, Himachal Pradesh on its northeast
and Haryana and Rajasthan to its south.
Population: 243.59 Lakh for the year 2001
Rural: 160.96 Lakh
Urban: 82.63 Lakh
Geography: Punjab lie on the globe at 29’30’’ N to 32’32’’ N latitude and 73’55 E to 76’50 E
longitude,
Climate: Climatically the state has three major seasons. Hot weather (April to June) when
temperature rises as high as 110F, Rainy season (July to September). Average rainfall
annual ranges between 96 cms sub-mountain region and 46 cms in the plains and Cold
weather (October to March). Temperature goes down as low as 40F.
Major Land Features
Most of Punjab is a fertile plain; toward the southeast one finds semi-arid and desert
landscape; a belt of undulating hills extends along the northeast at the foot of the
Himalayas. Four rivers, the Ravi, Beas, Satluj and Ghaggar flow across the state in a
southwesterly direction. They have numerous small and seasonal tributaries. In addition,
Punjab is watered by an extensive canal system. Agriculture is the mainstay of Punjab`s
economy and 97 per cent of the total cultivable area is under the plough. The main
crops grown are wheat, rice and cotton. Priority is being given to sugarcane, oil seeds,
horticulture and forestry. Percentage contribution of wheat and rice to the Central Pool is
64.1 and 42 respectively, whereas cotton production constitutes 20 per cent of the
national production. The state has recorded highest yield per hectare of wheat, rice,
cotton and bajra. Per capita milk and egg production is highest in the country. Large
quantities of the surplus of agriculture produce are available for agro-based industries.
The state has an enterprising peasantry activity supported by the government .With only
2.99% of area sown and 3.90% of total cropped area of the country, the state on an
average and account for 23% of Wheat, 14 % of cotton and 10% of rice production of
the whole country. Punjab is the largest single contributor to the central pool of rice and
wheat.
Administrative Structure
• Divisions 4
• Districts 20
• Sub-Divisions/Tehsils 76
• Sub-Tehsils 77
• Blocks 141
• No. of Towns (2001 Census) 143
• No. of Cities ( 2001 Census) 14
• No. of Inhabited Villages (2001 Census) 12278
Poverty alleviation is one of the important objectives of plan programmes. It is a multi
dimensional problem which needs innovative and coordinated action at macro, sectoral
and micro level. A large number of programmes and schemes are in operation both at
National and State level which aim to strengthen and improve the quality and standard
of living of weaker and deprived sections of the society. Different Govt.
departments/Corporations of Punjab Govt. are constantly making efforts to eradicate
poverty and to generate sources for raising further income and employment in the
State. The Planning Commission, Govt. of India at regular interval estimates the
number of people living below poverty line in each State as well as country as a whole.
These estimates reveal that Punjab State has been able to tackle the problem of poverty
with much greater efficiency as compared to the rest of the country. During the year
1973-74, more than 28 percent population of Punjab State was living below the poverty
line which came down to 6.16 percent in 1999-2000. At the National level, over half of
the population (54.93 percent) was living below the poverty line in 1973-74 which was
reduced to 26.10 percent during the year 1999-2000. Punjab, is thus, well on the way
to tackle the problem of the poverty. According to Planning Commission GOI during the
year 1999-2000, there were 10.20 lakh families in rural areas and 4.29 lakh families in
urban areas living below the poverty line in Punjab. To tackle the problem of poverty,
different schemes for rural as well as urban areas are in operation in the State. These
are:
� Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY)
� Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY)
� National Food for work programme (NFWP)
� NREGS
� BRGF
Status of NREGS in the States of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh issuing
of job card
The latest data shows that in issuing of the job card, Himachal Pradesh issued 8,49,973
job cards whereas Haryana issued 3,77,518 and Punjab issued 5,24,928 job cards. Data
in table 1.1 shows that in the Punjab all the job card holder who demanded employment
has been provided employment where as this proportion was 98.23 and 94.84 percent in
HP and Haryana respectively.
Table 1.1 State wise selected indicators of NREGS
Sr. No
Variable
Haryana Himachal Pradesh
Punjab
1 Total Job Card Issued 377568 849993 524928
2 % of Job Card issued to Rural Household 101.65 147.76 64.17
3 Employment Demanded 171794 453724 147336
4 Employment provided 162932 445713 147336
5 Percent emp. Provided to employment demanded 94.84 98.23 100.00 Source: Official website NREGS
Person days Generated
Data in table 1.2 shows that persondays generated in selected three states namely,
Haryana, Himachal and Punjab. In Himachal Pradesh a total 85.93 lakh persondays
were generated and among it 34.43 percent were SCs, 8.23 percent STs and 38.19
percent was from women category. In Punjab more then 75 percent generated
persondays were from SCs and about one fourth was women beneficiaries. In Haryana
more then 58 percent generated persondays were for SCs and nearly one third
persondays were generated for women. It shows that almost one third of total
beneficiaries of NREGS were women and more then 55 percent belongs to SCs.
Table 1.2
NREGA Statistics (as on 22 September 2009) (in percentage) NREGA Statistics
Haryana Himachal Pradesh Punjab
Person days (Total in lacs) 22.47 85.93 17.61
SCs 13.18 (58.65)
29.59 (34.43)
13.28 (75.38)
STs 0 (0.001)
7.07 (8.23)
0 (0.00)
Women 7.52 (33.47)
32.82 (38.19)
4.54 (25.78)
Others 9.29 (41.35)
49.27 (57.34)
4.34 (24.62)
Source: Official website NREGS
Availability of Fund
Data in table 1.3 reveals that availability of funds and its utilization and also the status of
works completed and works in progress. In Himachal Pradesh 33525 total works were
under taken, among it 33 percent works were completed and remaining works are in
progress. As compared to Himachal Pradesh, a total of 5247 works in Punjab and 4401
in Haryana were undertaken. The proportion of works completed in Haryana was 16.95
percent and in Punjab it was 16.73 percent. It shows that progress of NREGS works is
good in Himachal Pradesh and average in Punjab and Haryana.
Table 1.3 Funds and works details
Haryana Himachal Pradesh Punjab
Total Funds (in crores) 81.26 292.74 81.12
Expenditure (in crores) 42.35 161.36 35.64
Total works taken up 4401 33525 5247
Works completed 746 (16.95)
11258 (33.58)
878 (16.73)
Works in progress 3655 22267 4369 Source: Official website NREGS
Chapter- II
District Selection Criteria & District Profile
Three districts namely Sirmaur in Himachal Pradesh, Sirsa from Haryana and
Hoshiarpur from Punjab were selected as these were the first phase districts. The Aim of
the study is to find out the impacts of NREGA and its implementation process. Therefore
it was necessary to select those districts where the programme has been implemented
from fairly long period.
Profile of the Districts♣♣♣♣
District Sirmaur
District Sirmaur is the southern end district of Himachal Pradesh. The district shares its
boundary with district Shimla in the north; district Solan in the northwest, Panchkula and
Yamuna Nagar districts of Haryana in the southwest and, Dehradun district of
Uttaranchal and Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh in the east. Its longitudinal and
latitudinal extend is from 77° 01’ 12” to 77° 49’ 40” East and from 30° 22’ 30” to 31° 01’
20” North respectively. The district has an area of 2825 Sq. km. Which is only about 5
per cent of the area of the state, it ranks eighth in term of size in the 12 districts in the
state.
The altitude varies from about 450 meters to 3647 meters and the general slope of the
area is from northwest to southeast. River Giri, a tributary of rive Yamuna. River Tons,
another tributary of river Yamuna, river Markanda and some other seasonal streams
also contribute in draining the rainwater form the district. Whereas Churdhar range runs
along its border with district Shimla in the north and Shivalik range in the south forms its
boundary with Haryana. River Tons and river Yamuna demarcate its eastern and
southeastern boundary. River Giri divides the district into two distinct physiographic
regions. The region to its north is called as Trans- Giri region and the one to its south of
this river is as Cis- Giri region. The Cis- Giri region also has an open valley or Kiar-Ka-
♣Districts profile has been taken from the official website
doon between the Shivalik range and the Dharthi. The Western part of this open valley is
drained by river Markanda and the eastern part, which is also called as by river Bata.
Climate
The district has a sub-tropical humid climate, except the higher reaches of Churdhar
range and low lying areas of Doon tract and certain area adjacent to Haryana plains
temperature in the district for most part of the year remain within reasonable limits-
neither too low during winter nor too high during summer. Thus crops can be grown in
the district during summer as well as winter. The district received 750 to 1500 mm of
annual rainfall. Most of this rainfall is received during July, August and September
months.
Soils
As per the soil survey conducted by the NBSS & LUP in 1997, more than 75% of the
geographical area of the district is suffering from one or the other soil problem. Soil
erosion, particularly loss of top soil, flooding and soil acidity are the main problems
responsible for soil degradation in the district. This calls for scientific land use planning
on watershed basis. The soils of the district are generally deficient in available P and K.
Most of the vegetable growing areas are also deficient in micro nutrients like zinc and
boron. Soils in rice growing areas are also deficient in zinc.
Forests
The district has 174822 hectares of area under forests which is about 62% of the total
area of the district. Whereas the Shivalik hills and other low hills are covered by mixed
deciduous forests, the higher mountain ranges, particularly Churdhar range are covered
by coniferous forests, especially deodars and chir pine oak, kail and sal are some of the
other valuable species of trees which are found in the district.
Agriculture
Out of 2825 Sq. km of total area of the district only about 408 Sq. km or only about
14.4% of the total area is cultivated which constitute about two thirds of the net sown
area is rainfed as only about one third of the net sown area is irrigated. But despite very
low percentage of irrigated area, more than 83% of the net cultivated area is sown more
than once, giving the district cropping intensity of more than 183%.
Whereas in the low altitude areas of the district like Paonta valley, Markanda valley and
valleys of certain other rivulets mainly food grains like wheat, paddy and maize are
grown, on the hill slopes at a comparatively higher altitude people mainly cultivate higher
value crops like ginger, off season vegetables and fruits. The middle and the lower
slopes of Churdhar range especially the tract along Solan-Rajgarh-Nauradhar-
Haripurdhar road, are famous for the cultivation of tomato, early varieties of peas, and
many other vegetables and fruits like apple, peach and plums. Some farmers have also
taken up the cultivation of flowers.
Administrative Setup
The administrative setup of the district is as follows:
� Number of Sub- Division: 3 (Nahan, Poanta Sahib, Rajgarh)
� Number of Tehsils: 6 (Nahan, Poanta Sahib, Pachhad,
Shillai, Sangrah, Rajgarh)
� Number of Sub- Tehsils: 4 (Dadahu, Nohra, Kaurau, Ronhat)
� Number of Development Block: 6 (Nahan, Poanta Sahib, Pachhad,
Shillai, Sangrah, Rajgarh)
� Number of Panchayat: 228
� Number of Villages: 968
Human Resource Base
• Population: Total- 4, 58,593
Male- 2, 41,299
Female- 2, 17,293
• Sex Ratio: 901
• Rural/Urban Ratio: 89.6:10.4
• Density of Population per sq. km: 162
• Literacy Rate: Total- 70.4%
Male Literacy- 79.4%
Female Literacy-
60.4%
• Major Religion groups Hindus and Muslim
• SC population as percent of Total population: 1.3
• Total workers as percent of Total population: 49.25
• Cultivators as percent of total workers: 71.5
• Cultivators as percent of rural worker: 76.4
• Agricultural labourers as percent of total workers: 2.5
• Agricultural labourers as percent of rural workers: 2.6
From the figures provided above it emerges that Sirmaur district which has about 5% of
the area of the state accounts for more than 7.5% of the population of Himachal
Pradesh. As a result the density of population in the district is almost one and a half
times more then that density in the state. Like the state as a whole the level of
urbanization in the district is also very low. The proportion of urban population to the total
population in the district is only marginally higher than the state average (10.4% against
9.8%). Compared to the state as a whole the sex ratio in the district is very low. This
indicates that unlike some other parts of the state this district is not experiencing male
selective out migration. There is a possibility that the district may be attracting some
male selective in migration in the form of industrial labour to industrial estates at Kala
Amb, Poanta Sahib and some other places, and as agricultural labour to vegetable and
fruit growing areas of the district. It is surprising that the literacy rates for the males and
females were significantly lower than the corresponding rates for the state as a whole.
The reasons for the comparatively low literacy rates in the district need to be
investigated. Is it due to immigration of illiterate industrial and agricultural labour or due
to some other reasons Compared to the proportion of SC and ST population in the state
the district has a higher proportion of SC population and lower proportion of ST
population. Workers, both main and marginal, constitute nearly half of the total
population and nearly three fourth of these workers are agricultural workers, that is,
cultivators and agricultural labourers. The proportion of agricultural workers among the
rural workers relatively more that is nearly four-fifths of the total rural workers.
Infrastructure
The position of infrastructure with regard to roads, communication, power, banking,
education, health and veterinary institutions and industries is as follows:
Roads
• Length of motorable double lane 216 km
• Length of motorable single lane 2043 km
• Length of jeepable road 2 km
• Less than jeepable road 252 km
• Mobile Veterinary Dispensaries 1
• Veterinary Poly Clinic 1
• Poultry farm/ Hatchary 1
• Cattle Breeding Farm 1
These figures show that the district has 0.8 km length of motorable road per sq. km of
area which, keeping in view the hilly terrain is a fairly good length. The district also has a
fairly large number of telephone exchanges to provide telephone facility in the district. In
addition to landline facility the entire district is well covered by mobile phone connectivity.
Every 6th village in the district has a post office. Despite very harsh terrain every village
in the district have been electrified. Almost every village in the district high primary
school, every 6th village a middle school and every ninth village a high/Sr. secondary
school.
The district has a fairly good network of health institutions. There is one regional and 5
block level allopathic hospitals in the district in addition to that there is one allopathic
PHC/Sub- Centre or dispensary after every 5th village and if Ayurvedic dispensaries are
also included than every 4th village has a PHC/Sub- centre or dispensary. Similarly
almost every 6th village in the district has a veterinary hospital/dispensary. The district
also has cattle breeding farm and a poultry farm/hatchery.
NREGA Implementation status in District Sirmaur and Himachal Pradesh
Job Card
Issue of job card is one of main task of NREGA Programme. A total of 8, 70,588 job
cards were issued in the state till July 2009. Out of which about 6.33% or to be more
precise 55,075 job cards were issued in district Sirmaur. This was more than 1
percentage point less than the share of population of this district in population of the
state which is about 7.5 percent.
Employment Status
In Himachal Pradesh a total of 453724 job card holders demanded employment, which
was 52.11 percent of the total job card holders and employment was provided to 445713
(98.23%). In district Sirmaur, 28796 job card holders demanded employment out of
which 27724 (96.3 %) were provided employment.
Families got 100 days Employment
Only 11.06 per cent o employment provided person in the state and 6.06 per cent in the
district completed one hundred days of employment. It indicates that despite of the fact
that the program in the district started during 2005-06, (first phase), very few persons are
getting one hundred-days work.
Table 2.1 NREGS- At a Glance in Himachal and District Sirmaur
Sr. No
Variable Himachal Pradesh
Sirmaur
1 Total Job Card Issued 870588 55075
2 Employment Demanded 453724 28796
3 Employment provided 445713 27724
Percentage of employment provided to employment demanded 98.23 96.3
4 Percentage to employment provided person who completed 100 days 11.06 6.06
5 Total person days (in Lakh) 205.28 14.28
6 SCs person days 68.08 (33.16)
5.23 (36.62)
8 ST person days 15.99 (7.78)
0.35 (2.10)
9 Women person days 80.09 (39.01)
0.58 (4.06)
Source: nrega.com
Employment Generation
A total of 205.28 lacs person days were generated in the state out of which, scheduled
castes, scheduled tribes and women accounted for 33.16 percent, 7.78 percent and
39.01 percent respectively. The corresponding share of these categories in Sirmaur
district was 36.62 percent, 2.10 percent and 4.06 percent respectively, it shows that in
district Sirmaur women participation in NREGA were very less i.e. 4.06 per cent as
compared to state figure of 39 per cent.
Profile of District Sirsa♣♣♣♣ Sirsa is one of the largest district of Haryana in term of its population and net area
.District is agriculturally developed and a food bowl of Haryana. Main crops grown in the
district are wheat, paddy and Cotton. The name of the district derived from its
headquarter Sirsa, it is said to be the oldest place of the North India .Presently districts
comprises four tehsil namely Sirsa, Dabwali, Rania and Ellanabad. It has 7 development
blocks, 4 Towns, 325 Villages and 333 Gram Panchayats. Its total population according
to 2001 census is 11, 16,649 comprising of 5, 93,245 male and 5, 23,404 female. The
sex-ratio of district is 882. About 26 percent population lives in the urban area.
Latitude and Longitude
♣ Source official website of district Sirsa
The district lies between 29 14 and 30 0 north latitude and 74 29 and 75 18 east
longitudes, forming the extreme west corner of Haryana. It is bounded by the districts of
Muktsar and Bathinda of Punjab in the north and north east, Ganganagar district of
Rajasthan in the west and south and Hisar district in the east. Thus it touches the
interstate boundaries on three sides and is connected with its own state only in the
eastern side.
Topography
The terrain of Sirsa district may be broadly classified from north to south into three major
types i.e. Haryana Plain, alluvial bed of Ghaggar or Nali and Sand dune tract.
Characteristics of the district are briefly described below.
Climate
The climate of this district is characterized by its dryness and extremes of temperature
and scanty rainfall. The year may be divided into four seasons. The cold season from
November to March is followed by the Summer season which lasts up to the end of
June. The period from July to about the middle of September and from the middle of
September to October constitute the south west monsoon and post-monsoon seasons
respectively.
Rainfall
The average annual rainfall in the district is 32-53 mm. The rainfall in the district
increases generally from west to east. About 72 percent of the annual normal rainfall in
the district is received during the short south east monsoon period, July to September,
July and August being the rainiest months.
BASIC STATISTICS OF DISTRICT SIRSA*
Administrative Setup
Total Area Sq. Km. 4277.00
Sub Divisions Number 3
Tehsils Number 4
Sub-Tehsils Number 2
Blocks Number 7
Cities Number 1
Towns Number 4
Villages Number 325
Village Panchayats Number 333
Population (As per 2001 Census)
Total Population 2001 Number 11,16,649
Total Male Population Number 5,93,245
Total Female Population Number 5,23,404
Total No. Of Households Number 1,94,809
Rural Population Number 8,23,184
Urban Population Number 2,93,465
Percentage of Urban Population Percentage 26.28 %
Density Number 261
Growth Rate (1991-2001) Percentage 23.59 %
SC Population Number 2,97,556
Sex Ratio F : M 882 : 1000
Workers
Cultivators Number 1,78,000
Agricultural Labourers Number 1,13,357
Household Inds. Workers Number 10,779
Other Workers Number 1,73,435
Total Workers Number 4,75,571
Working Force Percentage 42.8 %
Roads
Metalled (As on 2006-2007) Km 1689
Unmetalled Km 15
Villages Connected (2006-07) Number 321
Main concerns of the District emerge from the data are:
• Increasing the literacy rate particularly of the women.
• Majority of the work force depend upon agriculture which is a seasonal in nature
and workers are not getting regular employment. In such situation, NREGS is a
boom for the district.
• Need for diversification of agriculture using labour absorbing techniques.
• Irrigation sources are to be suitably channellized for increasing the area under
irrigation.
• Afforestation work needs more attention in the district. It can be converge with
NREGS according to the suitability of the areas.
• Possibilities of the Fishing activities in the ponds constructed/digging under
NREGS.
Table 2.2 NREGA at a glance in Haryana and Sirsa
Sr. No Variable
Haryana Sirsa
1 Total Job Card Issued 377568
65956
2 Employment Demanded 171794
38870
3 Employment provided 162932
38870
4 Percent employment provided to employment demanded 94.84
100%
5 Percentage to employment provided person whom completed 100 days 6.5
1.52
6 Total person days (in Lakh) 69.11
15.66
7 SCs person days 36.65
11.5
8 ST person days 0
0
NREGA Implementation status in District Sirsa and Haryana
Job Card
Issue of job card is one of main task of NREGA Programme. A total of 37, 75, 68 job
cards were issued in the state till July 2009. Out of which 17.46 percent job cards were
issued in district Sirsa.
Employment Status
In Haryana a total of 1, 71,794 job card holders demanded employment, which was
45.50 percent of the total job card holders and employment was provided to 162932
(94.84%). In district Sirsa, 38870 job card holders demanded employment and all were
provided employment.
Families got 100 days Employment
Only 6.5 percent person in the state and 1.52 per cent in the district completed one
hundred days of employment. It indicates that despite of the fact that the program in the
district started during 2006-07, (first phase), very few persons are getting one hundred-
days work.
Employment Generation
A total of 69.11 lacs person days were generated in the state out of which, scheduled
castes accounted for 36.65 percent, as compared to 11.5 percent in district Sirsa.
Profile of District Hoshiarpur
Introduction
The district Hoshiarpur is located in the north-eastern part of the state. it is situated in
the Bist Doab (area between Beas and Satluj rivers) cultural geographic region of the
state. The district is bounded by districts Kangra and Una, of Himachal Pradesh, in the
northeast, district Gurdaspur in the northwest, districts Jalandhar and Kapurthala
(interspersed) in the southwest, and district Nawan shahar in the south. The district
extends from 30’-51’ north to 32’-05’ north latitude and 75’-32’ east to 76’-12’ east
latitude The district has an elongated shape with a slightly more width in the northern
portion of the district, especially along an imaginary east-west line, slightly north of
Hoshiarpur town, through the trifurcation point between the boundaries of Hoshiarpur,
Gurdaspur and Kapurthala districts and Tanda town. From this line, the width of the
district tapers towards south-east as well as towards the north. The watershed line, viz.
water dividing line between Hoshiarpur district and Soan river valley (a tributary of Satluj
River) of Una district and Nala valley (a tributary of Beas River) of Kangra district forms
natural boundary between district Hoshiarpur and Himachal Pradesh in the northwest.
Similarly the Beas River demarcates the natural boundary between Hoshairpur and
Gurdaspur districts in the north and west respectively. Its southern western boundary
with Kapurthala and Jalandhar districts and southern boundary with Nawanshahr district,
however, is not demarcated by any natural feature. The district which extended up to
Satluj River, in the south, till 1975, experienced a minor change in its area when
southern most tehsil of Balachaur was transferred to newly created district of
Nawanshahr. At present, the area of district is 3365 sq. kms. which is about 6.7 per cent
of the entire area of Punjab, which is 50362 sq. kms.
Climate
The district has mild climate compared to other districts of the State. This is due to the
abundance of hilly terrain on the one hand and sizeable forest covers thereon, on the
other. Moreover, chain of check dams constructed recently on the choes under “Kandi
Watershed Development Project” has appreciably enhanced water surface area in the
district. This has made the summer heights quite pleasant.
Agriculture
Major fruits grown in the district are Kinnow, Mango, Peach, litchi, pear, Guava etc. and
among the vegetables Potato has the major share followed by Peas, cauliflower, tomato,
cabbage, brinjal etc. Under floriculture marigold annual chrysanthemum and goadieli are
grown.
Education
Hoshiarpur is one of the oldest districts of Punjab. It has a long tradition of educational
attainments. The D.A.V. & Singh Sabha movements result in establishments of many
educational institutions. On the eve of partition, the Punjab University, Lahore was
shifted to Govt. College, Hoshiarpur and remained there till the early sixties when it was
shifted to Chandigarh. As a result of this; the district has many luminaries in various
fields of society.
District at a glance
Item Area in (000) Hects.
1. Total geographical area 339
2. Forests 109
3. Barren land 1
4. Land use other than cultivation 24
5. Permanent pastures 1
6. Present waste land 1
7. Area under cultivation 203
8. Irrigation area 154
9. Unirrigated area 49
10. Area sown more than once 145
11. Gross cropped area 348
12.Cropping intensity 171%
Demographics
As of 2001 India census [2], Hoshiarpur had a population of 148,243. The 2007
Hoshiarpur population was 427,987. Hoshiarpur is also known as "City of Mangoes".
Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Hoshiarpur has an average
literacy rate of 78%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 81%,
and female literacy is 76%. In Hoshiarpur, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.
• Females per 1,000 males 935
• Density of population ( per km².) 439
• Percentage increase in population (1991-2001) 13.81
NREGA Implementation status in District Hoshiarpur and Punjab
Job Card
Issue of job card is one of main task of NREGA Programme. A total of 5,24,928 job
cards were issued in the state till July 2009. Out of which 8.59 percent job cards were
issued in district Hoshiarpur
Employment Status
In Punjab a total of 1, 47,336 job card holders demanded employment, which was 28.06
percent of the total job card holders and employment was provided to all. Similarly in
district Hoshiarpur, all job card holders who demanded employment were provided
employment.
Families got 100 days Employment
Only 2.70 percent person in the state and 9.95 per cent in the district completed one
hundred days of employment. It indicates that despite of the fact that the program in the
district started during 2006-07, (first phase), very few persons are got one hundred-days
work.
Table 2.3 NREGS- At a Glance in Punjab and Hoshiarpur
Sr. No Variable Punjab Hoshiarpur
1 Total Job Card Issued 524928 45135
2 Employment Demanded 147336 35512
3 Employment provided 147336 35512
4 Percent employment provided to employment demanded
100.00 100.00
5 Percentage to employment provided person whom completed 100 days
2.70 9.95
6 Total person days (in Lakh) 39.89 12.06
7 SCs person days 29.63 7.17 (59.45)
8 ST person days 0 0
9 Women person days 9.82 3.14 (26.4)
Chapter- III
Sample Size & Research Methodology
The present impact assessment study would focus on working of NREGA programme in
three states i.e. Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. The districts have been
selected from three different states of northern India, where the programme was
launched during the first phase (2006). As per this criterion of selection, three districts
viz. Hoshiarpur (Punjab), Sirsa (Haryana) and Sirmaur (Himachal Pradesh) were
selected for impact assessment study.
Objectives
The objectives of this study are:
(i) To identify efficient management practices, procedures, processes, factors, for
better performance and generation of positive impact of the scheme ;
(ii) To suggest interventions and strategies for dissemination of those practices and
factors that can help to check the shortcomings of this scheme.
(iii) To help and lend support to the implementing agencies in evolving the design
addressing implementation challenges more effectively.
(iv) To search strategically better approach for strengthening the capacity of selected
district in implementing process.
(v) To built social capital formation through awareness generation, social
mobilization and social audit.
(vi) To study effectiveness of NREGS in employment generation.
(vii) To study the effect of fiscal decentralization through NREGA.
(viii) To study Effectiveness of social Auditing.
However, main focus of the study is to search better strategically approaches for
strengthening the capacity of each three district in implementation process and creation
of positive impact on the rural development programmes.
Main demographic and other relevant indicators of selected three districts are shown as
under:
The focus of the study is on strengthening capacity of three different districts of northern
India to implement the programme and create positive impact. The appraisal / study
mainly focus on two issues:
(i) Strengthening of Panchayati Raj institutions
(ii) Building social capital formation through awareness generation/social
mobilization, social audits.
Methodology
The study adopts following criterion for sample design in selection of blocks, gram
Panchayats, works, workers and non workers.
(i) The sample consists of 6 blocks, in total, selecting two blocks from each district
of the three districts.
(ii) Blocks were selected on the basis of performance indicators like, Job cards,
persondays generation and utilization of funds. On the basis of these indicators
one block is selected from the better performing blocks and the other from the
poor performing blocks.
(iii) 24 Gram Panchayats (GPs) in total, 4GPs from each block were selected based
on the performance indicators, like job cards, funds utilization, and persondays
generated. Two Panchayats were selected from better performing Panchayats
and another two from the poor performing Panchayats .Out of four Panchayats;
three Panchayats were those where work was on going and one Panchayat
where work was completed.
(iv) From each gram Panchayat (GP), one work has been surveyed. 24 works, in
total, has been studied. Out of these 24 works, 18 ongoing works and 6
completed works were surveyed.
(v) From each district 80 workers (10 per each Panchayat) and 40 non-workers/
gram sabha members (5 per each Panchayat) were interviewed. Worker from the
categories of women and SCs were given due representation in all the samples.
(vi) In total 240 workers, (minimum 10 workers in each village) and. in addition to
that, 120 non workers (5 per village) was interviewed. Panchayat members,
community leaders, gram sabha members and government functionaries were
also covered to study the impact of the programme, problems faced during the
implementation of the scheme and their suggestions, for improving the program.
Under it, the method of cross verification and in depth analysis has also been
adopted.
Research tools
To fulfill the objectives of the study, various research tools were developed and used to
conduct this study. The following research tools were used.
� Gram Panchayat Schedule
� Worksite verification Schedule.
� Muster roll verification sheet.
� Worker Schedule.
� Non worker Schedule.
Chapter - IV
Findings & Analysis
1. Panchayats perception on the working of NREGA
Role of Gram Panchayats is becoming extremely crucial in planning and implementation
of the rural development scheme. NREGA is a holistic scheme, which not only covers
the construction related activities but also cover the livelihood issues and sustainability
of natural resources at village level. In this context, Panchayats has to play a bigger role
encompassing the activities related to infrastructure, human development and livelihood
issues. Therefore, there is a need for very vibrant and fully aware Panchayats to deal
with all the issues related to development of their areas and people. For this, training of
Panchayats is one of the key inputs required for the better implementation of the scheme
like NREGA .Thus there is a need to provide well structured training programme to the
members of Panchayats to enhance their knowledge, skill and attitude to understand the
responsibilities to be performed in a transparent manner. NREGA guidelines gave much
more emphasis on training to all the stakeholders including Panchayats. Therefore in
this impact study, a structured schedule was canvassed from each Panchayat. It
contains the information on Panchayats involvement in NREGA works, perspective plan
preparation, role of gram sabha, and training to various stakeholders, formation of social
audit committee and also on various other aspects related to NREGS. These are
discussed in detail as under:
Table 4.1
NREGA Aspects based on Primary Date
NREGA Aspects Sirsa Hoshiarpur Sirmaur
Total Job Card Issued 5317 647 2117
Total Mandays 1,29,996 23,599 72165
SC Mandays 84,812 12,530 19730
Women Mandays 30,402 6,342 3370
Other Mandays 34,836 9,912 43239
Total available Fund 2,41,97,693 60,42,032 18439600
Expenditure 2,02,21,834 57,79,930 15539375
Total Works taken up 143 58 249
Works completed 125 53 223
Works ongoing 18 5 24
Availability of fund per Panchayats (Average) 30,24,211 7,55,254 23,04,950
Average of Job Card issued per Panchayat 664.6 80.8 264.6
Percent SCs Mandays generate 65.24 53.09 27.34
Percent Women Mandays generate 23.38 26.87 4.66
Percent Expenditure to total available fund 83.56 95.66 84.27
Average expenditure per work (Rs.) 1,41,411 99,653 62,407
Percent works Completed 87.41 91.37 89.55 Source: Field survey
Information provided in table 4.1 shows that average of job cards issued per Panchayat
is highest in Sirsa (665) and lowest in Hoshiarpur (81). It is because of small size of
panchayats in Hoshiarpur. Persondays generated for SCs was 65.24 percent in Sirsa,
53.09 percent in Hoshiarpur and 27.34 percent in the selected Panchayats of district
Sirmaur. Availability of funds for panchayat was Rs.30, 24,211 for Sirsa, Rs.755254 for
Hoshiarpur GPs and Rs.23, 04,950 for selected GPs of Sirmaur district.
Training
i) Panchayat members
It was asked from the panchayat members whether they got any training on NREGA. All
selected panchayats in districts of Sirsa and Sirmaur reported that they received training,
whereas one fifth of panchayats in Hoshiarpur district did not got any NREGA training.
ii) Extension of capacity building activity to various stakeholders
In addition to elected members of Gram Panchayats and Gram sabha members, other
stakeholders in the NREGA are Social Audit Committee member, Grievance Committee
Members and Government Functionaries. Training and awareness for them is equally
important as these bodies, especially social audit committees, are acting as a watchdog.
Data in table 4.6 show that all selected Panchayats in district Sirmaur, formed the social
audit committee in their GP’s where as in Sirsa only one selected GP has formed a
social audit committee in Hoshiarpur only two selected Gram Panchayats has a
functional social audit committee. All the members of two SACs got training in district
Hoshiarpur and in district Sirsa out of 6 members 5 got training whereas in district
Sirmaur 70 percent members of formed committee got training on NREGA.
iii) Vigilance committee members
In Hoshiarpur and Sirsa districts Grievance committee was not formed in any selected
Gram Panchayats. Whereas 3 Panchayat in Sirmaur district has a grievance committee
and only one Panchayat reported that training has been provided to grievance
committee members.
iv) Government Functionaries
The training to the government functionaries regarding all aspect of NREGA is equally
important. Therefore, it was also inquired whether panchayat secretaries and other
village level functionaries received training. It was found that Training of these
functionaries was good in Himachal Pradesh and just average was in Punjab and
Haryana .There is a need to provide rigorous training to all functionaries working at the
Panchayati level. (see table 4.2)
Table 4.2 Extension of capacity Building activities to various Stake holders
Sr. No Stake holder Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
A Panchayat
1 No of elected members 78 60 38
2 Members elected got training 33 30 13
3 Percentage of elected member got training 42.30 50 34.21 B Gram sabha
4 No of Panchayats where training has been provided to gram sabha members
0 8 2
5 Percentage 0 100.00 25.00 C Social audit committee
6 No of Panchayats where SAC has been formed 1 8 2
7 No of members of SAC Committee 6 40 10
8 No of Social Audit committee members attended training 5 28 10
9 Percentage of Social Audit Committee member who attended the training
83.37 70.00 100.00
D Grievance committee 10 No. of Panchayats whose grievance committee members
attended training 0 3 0
11 Total members of Grievance Committee 0 7 0
12 Attended training by Grievance Committee 0 7 0
13 Percentage of who Attended training by grievance committee
0 100.00 0.00
E Govt. Functionaries
14 Total Govt. Functionaries 0 1 1
15 Attended Training 0 1 1 F Vigilance Committee
16 No. of Panchayats in Vigilance monitoring committee formed
0 3 0
17 Total members of Vigilance Committee 0 10 0
18 Vigilance Committee members Attended training 0 9 0
19 Percentage Vigilance Committee members attended training
0.00 90.0 0
Source: Field survey
Aspects of training
Regarding the training aspect of NREGA, it has been found that all the Panchayats in
Sirsa and Sirmaur Districts received training on convergence of work, where as none
has reported in Hoshiarpur on training on this aspect. Other aspect of training was
NREGA Act, guidelines with rules, technical support in plan preparation, social auditing
and RTI. The over all NREGA training was very good in district Sirmaur, good in District
Sirsa and needs improvement in district Hoshiarpur. (see table 4.3)
Table 4.3 Aspect of Training Received by Panchayat Members in selected Panchayats of each District
Sr. No Aspect of training Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
1 Convergence of works 8 (100.00)
8 (100.00)
0 (0.00)
2 NREGA Act, Guidelines with rules 8 (100.00)
6 (75.00)
6 (75.00)
3 Technical support in plan preparation
8 (100.00)
8 (100.00)
1 (12.05)
4 Social Auditing 4 (50.00)
6 (75.00)
5 (62.5)
5 RTI Act 6 (75.00)
6 (75.00)
4 (50.00)
Source: Field survey
Panchayati Awareness about Measurement Book (MB)
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
%
Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
Awareness about measurement book
Yes
It has been mentioned that awareness with regard to measurement Book among
Panchayat members is very good in Sirsa a compared to Hoshiarpur and Sirmaur (See
table 4.4 and graph)
Table 4.4 Panchayats awareness about measurement books
No of Panchayat
Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
Yes 6 (75.00)
3 (37.5)
2 (25.00)
No 2 (25.00)
5 (62.5)
6 (75.00)
Source: Field survey
Mode of work Allocation
Mode of allocation of work to worker is different in all the Districts. Whereas in District
Sirsa of Haryana, all Panchayats gave consolidated work to workers, so that they can
work accordingly to their own time. In Sirmaur all Panchayats giving Work on daily basis.
In Hoshiarpur one Panchayats gave consolidated work and remaining allocation work on
daily. (See table 4.5)
Table 4.5 Panchayat gave consolidated work to the workers
Source: Field survey
Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
Yes 8 (100.00)
0 (0.00)
1 (12.05)
No 0 (0.00)
8 (100.00)
7 (87.05)
Impact of NREGA
To assess the impact of NREGA programmes on wage earners, agriculture, irrigation,
poverty reduction, connectivity and also on the functioning of PRI’s, views of Sarpanches
and other members of Panchayats of the selected Gram Panchayats of all the three
Districts were sought. The main points which emerged from the input provided by them
are as under:
Wage Earner
One of the main objectives of NREGA is to provide 100 days wage employment to the
job card holders. Therefore it is important to know what impact this programme has
made on wage earner. All the Panchayats reported that economic condition of the wage
earners has improved moreover the workers need not to go outside the village to seek
work. (See table 4.6 and graph)
Table 4.6 Impact of NREGA on Wage Earners
Impact on Districts
Wage Earners Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
i) Economic condition improved 8 (100.00)
8 (100.00)
8 (100.00)
ii) Workers to seek work need not to go outside 7 8 8
Consolidated work
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
District
%
Sirsa
Hoshiarpur
Impact on wage earner
100 100 100
87.5
100 100
80
85
90
95
100
105
Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
Districts
%
Economic condition
improved
Workers to seek work
need not to go outside
village for work
village for work (87.05) (100.00) (100.00) Source: Field survey
Panchayati Raj Institution
With regard to NREGA’s impact on the functioning of PRI’ who is one of the major stake
holders in NREGA programmes. All the Panchayats in District Sirmaur, 62.5 percent of
in district Sirsa and similar percentage in Hoshiarpur district reported that due to NREGA
their workload has been increased very significantly because they have to maintain
various records. Another finding is that 62 percent Panchayats in district Sirmaur
reported that due to NREGA people’s faith in Panchayats has increased. Some
Panchayats from the entire three districts also reported that flow of funds to Panchayat
has also increased. One Panchayat each from Sirsa and Hoshiarpur reported that now
decentralization is becoming a reality due to NREGA.
Table 4.7 Impact of NREGA on PRI’s
Sr. Impact on Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
Impact on PRIs
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
Districts
%
Workload has increased
Participation in
development activity has
increased
Village faith in
Panchayat increased
Funds flow increased
Decentralization
becoming reality
No.
i) Workload has increased 5 (62.00)
8 (100.00)
5 (62.05)
ii) Participation in development activity has increased
6 (75.00)
8 (100.00)
8 (100.00)
iii) Village faith in Panchayat increased 1 (12.05)
5 (62.05)
0 (0.00)
iv) Funds flow increased 1 (12.05)
3 (37.05)
1 (12.05)
v) Decentralization becoming reality 1 (12.05)
0 (0.00)
1 (12.05)
Source: Field survey
Agriculture and Irrigation
More than 62 percent of the selected Panchayats in Sirsa district and nearly three-fourth
Panchayats in Sirmaur district reported that agricultural productivity has increased due to
NREGA activities. But more than 87 percent selected Panchayats of District Hoshiarpur
reported that NREGA did not have any impact on agriculture and irrigation.
Table 4.8
Impact of NREGA on Agriculture and irrigation according to Panchayats
Impact on Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
i)
Agriculture productivity increased 5 (62.05)
6 (75.00)
0 (0.00)
ii) Irrigation facility improved 6 (62.05)
6 (75.00)
0 (0.01)
iii) No impact 1 1 7
A small pulia construction in progress at GP Behlakhanpur, Hoshiarpur
(12.05) (12.05) (87.05)
Source: Field survey
Connectivity
Under NREGA many activities like construction of link roads, path ways etc. has been
undertaken to improve the connectivity for the overall development of the rural areas,
which also provide
linkages with the
markets. No doubt some
Panchayats from district
Sirsa and Sirmaur did
report that NREGA do
not have any positive
impact on the
connectivity, all selected
Panchayats of district
Hoshiarpur and more
than 62% of Sirsa and Sirmaur reported that due to NREGA there is over all
development of the area due to construction of link road, pulia and bridges etc.
Table 4.9 Impact of NREGA on Connectivity according to Panchayats
Impact on Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
i) No impact 3 (37.05)
3 (37.05)
0 (0.00)
ii) Over all development of the area due to construction of link road, Pulia, Bridges etc.
5 (62.05)
5 (62.5)
8 (100.00)
Source: Field survey
0
10
20
30
4050
60
70
80
90
100
%
Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
Districts
Impact on connectivity
No impact
Over all development
of the area due to
construction of link
road,Pulia,Bridges etc.
Animal Husbandry
Dairying farming has a lot of scope in providing livelihood opportunities to the rural
people and it was expected that NREGA activities would be converged with dairying to
generate employment. But such convergence is lacking in all the selected Panchayats.
Almost all selected Panchayat members reported no impact of NREGA on animal
husbandry sector, similarly no such convergence was found with fishery sector.
Sanitation
Panchayats are playing a major role in providing sanitation to the villages and lot of
sanitation activities have been undertaken under NREGA. More than 62 percent of the
Panchayats in District Hoshiarpur reported that due to NREGA, sanitation condition in
villages has improved a lot, which has a positive impact on health of residents. But more
than 87 percent of the Panchayats in Sirmaur reported no change in sanitation condition
in the village due to NREGA.
Table 4.10 Impact of NREGA on Sanitation according to Panchayats
Impact on Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
i) Sanitation condition of the village improved 1 (12.05)
3 (37.05)
5 (62.05)
ii) No change 7 (87.05)
5 (62.05)
2 (25.00)
Source: Field survey
Women
With regard to the impact of NREGA on women folk, all the Panchayats in district Sirsa,
more than 87 percent of Sirmaur and about three-fourths of district Hoshiarpur reported
that women belonging to poor strata of the villages are getting jobs and their wages
are same as of men, which otherwise are very less. (see table 4.11 and graph)
Renewal of water bodies at GP Ottu, Sirsa
Impact on women
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
Districts
%
No participation due to
Cultural factor
Women becoming Self
dependent
Women getting same
wages as men
Women workers at Sirsa
Table 4.11
Impact of NREGA on women according to Panchayats Impact on Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
i) No participation due to Cultural factor 0 (0.00)
1 (12.05)
1 (12.5)
ii) Women becoming Self dependent and getting jobs near their home
8 (100.00)
7 (87.05)
6 (75.00)
iii) Women getting same wages as men 3 (37.05)
7 (87.05)
1 (12.05)
Source: Field survey
Industry
There is no impact on industrial activities.
Impact of NREGA on workers migration
Migration has both negative and positive impact on migrant lives. On the one hand it
creates vast economic opportunities and there by help in removing the abject poverty,
improving socio- economic condition of the migrant’s family and on the other hand the
worker has to face many difficulties at the work place intern of denial of basic facilities
like sanitation, drinking water and proper housing. Therefore NREGA is a positive step to
curb distress migration. Data in the table 4.12 show that there in no change in migration
of the workers to their Panchayats area in district Sirmaur and Hoshiarpur where as 37
percent Panchayats in district Sirsa reported that in migration has decreased due to
Impact on out-migration
50
0
25
50
100
75
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Sirsa Siramur Hoshiarpur
Districts
%
No change
Decreased
Impact on in-migration
62.5
100 100
37.5
0 00
20
40
60
80
100
120
Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
Districts
%
i) No change
ii) Decreased
NREGA work at their native place. But on the other side there is a decrease in out
migration from the village. All the Panchayats in District Sirmaur, three-fourth in
Hoshiarpur and 50 percent in Sirsa reported that out migration from their village has
decreased. (See table 4.12 and graph)
Table 4.12 Impact of NERGA on workers migration according to Panchayats
Districts Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
In migration
i) No change
5 (62.05)
8 (100.00)
8 (100.00)
ii) Decreased
Out migration 3
(37.05) 0
(0.0) 0
(0.0)
i) No change 0 (0.0)
0 (0.0)
2 (25.00)
ii) Decreased 4(50%) 8(100%) 6(75%) Source: Field survey
Involvement of other department
In response to a query about the role of other departments in NREGA planning and
implementation, all the Panchayats in district Sirmaur, 50 percent in Hoshiarpur and
more than 37 percent in district Sirsa reported that other department like soil
conservation, forest horticulture etc. were also involved in NREGA activities, but
Panchayats has no role in the works undertaken by these departments. There is a need
of coordination between these departments and Panchayats.
Table 4.13
Involvement of other departments in NREGA according to Panchayats
Districts Sr. No Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
i) Yes 3 (37.5)
8 (100.0)
4 (50.0)
ii) No 5 (62.5)
0 (0.0)
4 (50.0)
Source: Field survey
Role of Panchayat samitis and Zila Parishad
The upper two tiers of PRI’s i.e. Panchayat samitis and zilla parishad play an important
role in the development activities in their respective areas. Effort was made to know the
role these institutions are playing in smooth implementation of NREGA. Data in table
4.14 show that, members of Zila parishad and Panchayat samitis are participating in
gram sabha meetings in district Sirmaur. They also involved in approving the shelves
and suggesting the work to be undertaken under NREGA and other schemes. About half
the Panchayats in district Hoshiarpur and more than 62 percent Panchayats in district
Sirsa reported that these institutions has no role in the implementation of NREGA. (See
table 4.14)
Table 4.14 Role of Panchayat Smiti and Zila Parishad in NREGA according to Panchayats
Districts Sr. No Role
Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
i) Participation in Gram sabha 1 (12.5)
8 (100.0)
1 (12.5)
ii) Approved Plan solves 0 (0.00)
7 (87.5)
1 (12.5)
iii) Suggestion for work selection and plan preparation
0 (0.00)
3 (37.5)
1 (12.5)
iv) Less participation 3 (37.5)
0 (0.0)
2 (25.0)
v) No role 5 (62.5)
0 (0.0)
4 (50.0)
Source: Field survey
Preparation of five year perspective plan:
Preparation of Perspective plan is a very important task as it provides the direction and
guidance to the Panchayats regarding the need and selection of works and its intended
benefits occurring to the people in general and society as a whole. Therefore it was
enquired from each Panchayat whether they were involved in preparing the perspective
plan of their Panchayats, it is reported that all the Panchayats have participated in the
preparation of their perspectives plan of their villages.
Activities mentioned in perspective plan
Following activities are to be undertaken in the next five year in selected gram
Panchayats of three districts:
Sirmaur:
• Rural connectivity in all selected Panchayats
• Land development activities, construction and renovation of irrigation in 75% of
selected Panchayats
• Water conservation work in the half of selected gram Panchayats
• Other activities are: Soil conservation (25% Panchayats) fresh water pond (25%
Panchayats) protection wall and sanitation (12.50 percent Panchayats)
Sirsa:
• Rural connectivity –(62.50%GP)
• Irrigation – (75.00% GP)
• Check, Dam (water conservation)- (50% GP)
• Land leveling – (25% GP)
• Water recharging – (50% GP)
• Plantation—(37%GP)
• Renovation of ponds-(37.50% Gram Panchayats )
Hoshiarpur:
• Water conservation (62% GP)
• Sanitation (37.50%)
• Rural connectivity (100%)
• Land development (37.50%)
• Renovation of ponds (50%)
(For district wise details see table 4.15)
Table 4.15
Activities Undertaken for Perspective Plan according to Panchayats Districts Sr. No Table
Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
i) Irrigation /Kuhl 6 (75.00)
6 (75.00)
0 (0.00)
ii) Rural Connectivity 5 (62.00)
8 (100.00)
8 (100.00)
iii) Soil Conservation 0 (0.00)
2 (25.00)
0 (0.00)
iv) Land development 2 (25.00)
6 (75.00)
3 (37.50)
v) Water Conservation 4 (50.00)
4 (50.00)
5 (62.00)
vi) Fresh Water Pond 3 (37.50)
2 (25.00)
4 (50.00)
viii) Sanitation 3 (37.50)
1 (12.5)
3 (37.50)
ix) Plantation 3 (37.50)
1 (12.5)
0 (0.00)
Source: Field survey
Social audit committee
One of the tools of good governance is social audit. In Panchayat act of all the states
gram Sabha has been empowered to act as a watchdog. The main motto of social audit
is to assist disadvantaged groups and encourage community participation for collective
decision making. From the transparency and accountability point of view, social audit is
more important. It was found that 62.50 % gram Panchayats of district Sirsa, 87.50 % of
Sirmaur and only about 25 % gram Panchayats in Hoshiarpur district formed the social
audit committees. (See table 4.16 and graph)
Table 4.16 Formation of Social audit Committee in the selected Panchayats
Source: Field survey
Districts Sr. No Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
i) Yes 5 (62.5)
7 (87.5)
2 (25.0)
ii) No 3 (37.5)
1 (12.5)
6 (75.0)
62.5
37.5
87.5
12.5
25
75
0102030405060708090
%
Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
Districts
Social audit committee
Yes
No
People‘s awareness about RTI act
It was enquired from Panchayats whether or not people in their Panchayat areas are
aware about the RTI act. About half of the selected gram Panchayats of district Sirsa
and Sirmaur and only 12.50 percent of district Hoshiarpur reported that people are
aware about RTI act. It shows that awareness about RTI act is good in Sirmaur and in
Sirsa districts but poor in the district Hoshiarpur.
Table 4.17
People are aware about RTI Act according to Panchayats
Source: Field survey
Districts S. No Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
i) Yes 4 (50.00)
4 (50.00)
1 (12.05)
ii) No 4 (50.00)
4 (50.00)
7 (87.05)
Awareness about RTI
0
20
40
60
80
100
Sirsa
Sirm
aur
Hoshiarpur
Districts
%
Yes
No
Problem in implementation of NREGA
Main Problem stated by selected Panchayats is given as under:
Sirsa
� Delay in receiving of funds (62.5 percent GP)
� 60:40 ratios is not suitable (62.5 percent GP)
� Lack of staff (50 percent GP)
� Banks are far away and bank staff is not cooperative (50 percent GP)
� Supervision of work and lack of awareness (37.50 percent GP)
� Corruption (12.50 percent GP)
� Assessment of work delayed because one J.E in whole block (50 percent GP)
Sirmaur
� Delay in receiving of funds (62.5 percent GP)
� 60:40 ratios is not suitable because of hilly terrain (62.50 percent GP)
� Lack of staff (50 percent GP)
� Banks are far away and staff is not cooperative (37.50 percent GP)
� Problems in material transportation (25 percent GP)
Hoshiarpur
� Delay in receiving of funds (75 percent GP)
� Lack of staff (50 percent )
� Assessment of work delayed because one J.E in whole block (62.50 percent )
� No funds to purchase working tool (37.50 percent GP)
� Lack of proper supervision (37.50 percent GP)
� Lack of awareness about no guidelines of NREGA (50 percent GP)
From the above the common problem emerges are:
� Lack of Proper trained staff.
� Delay in receiving funds.
� Lack of awareness on different aspect of NREGA guidelines and convergence
with other department etc. (For detail see table 4.18)
Table 4.18
Problems in Implementation of NREGA according to Panchayats
States Sr. No
Problems Haryana Himachal Pradesh Punjab
i)
Assessment of work delayed because of availability of JE
4 (50.0)
1 (12.5)
5 (62.5)
ii) Delay in receive of funds 3 (37.5)
5 (62.5)
6 (75.0)
iii) 60:40 ratio is not suitable 0 (0.0)
5 (62.5)
1 (12.5)
iv) Lack of staff 3 (37.5)
4 (50.0)
4 (50.0)
v) No funds to purchase 0 (0.0)
1 (12.5)
3 (37.5)
vi) Bank far-away and bank staff is not cooperative
4 (50.0)
3 (37.5)
2 (25.0)
vii) No supervision 3 (37.5)
1 (12.5)
3 (37.5)
viii) Lack of awareness 3 (37.5)
0 (0.1)
4 (50.0)
xvii) Less pay to Rozgar Sewak 3 (37.5)
0 (0.0)
0 (0.0)
xviii) No convergence allowed 1 (12.5)
0 (0.0)
0 (0.0)
xix) Corruption 1 (12.5)
0 (0.0)
0 (0.0)
xx) Problem in material transportation 0 (0.0)
2 (25.0)
0 (0.0)
xxi) Sanitation problem 0 (0.0)
2 (25.0)
0 (0.0)
Source: Field Survey
Suggestions
Various suggestions to improve the implementation of NREGS were given by the
member of PRI’s. These are discussed as under.
Sirsa
• Training to gram Panchayats and gram sabha members at gram Panchayat level
on various aspect of NREGA
• Work assessment should be done at every 15 days interval at the time of on-
going work stage.
• Bank employee should be cooperative.
• Funds flow should be timely and regular.
• Extra staff to deal exclusively for NREGA should be provided to gram
Panchayats.
Sirmaur
• Extra staff to deal exclusively for NREGA should be provided at gram panchayat
level.
• Funds flow should be timely and regular.
• Provision for purchase of stationary.
• Skilled labour wages especially of mason should be increased as per market
rate.
• Different types of work which women can easily do be introduced e.g. cleaning
and sweeping of streets etc.
Hoshiarpur
• Work assessment should be done at the time of construction stage to check the
quality of material components
• Payments to the workers should be made in time
• Fund flow should be timely and regular
• Extra staff should be provided, especially of technical staff. (50%)
• Provision should be for the purchase of working tools.
The common suggestions made by all selected GPs are:
• Regular and timely release of funds
• Work assessment at a regular interval
• Provision for technical staff (For detail see table 4.19)
Table 4.19 Suggestion to mitigate problems according to Panchayats
Districts Sr. No
Suggestions
Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
i) Extra staff should be provided to G.P 5 (62.5)
4 (50.0)
4 (50.0)
ii) Funds flow should be regular 3 (37.5)
4 (50.0)
5 (62.5)
iii) Computer with internet facility should be provided 0 (0.0)
1 (12.5)
0 (0.0)
iv) Honorarium should be provided to the vigilance committee 0 (0.0)
2 (25.0)
0 (0.0)
v) Work assessment should be done at every 15 days at the time of on-going work stage
4 (50.0)
2 (25.0)
5 (62.5)
vi) Provision should be made for purchased working tools 0 (0.0)
1 (12.5)
4 (50.0)
vii) Change of 60:40 ratio in extra ordinary circumstances 0 (0.0)
2 (25.0)
0 (0.0)
viii) Provision for purchase of stationary 0 (0.0)
3 (37.5)
1 (12.5)
ix) Skilled labour wages should be increased as per market rate. 2 (25.0)
3 (37.5)
1 (12.5)
x) Rozgar Sewak should be trained - 1 (12.5)
0 (0.0)
xi) Provide technical support for making project/plans 0 (0.0)
2 (25.0)
0 (0.0)
xii) Different type of work for women worker 0 (0.0)
3 (37.5)
0 (0.0)
xiii) Transport facility should be provided in a remote areas 0 (0.0)
1 (12.5)
0 (0.0)
xiv) Payment to worker should be in time 0 (0.0)
0 (0.0)
3 (37.5)
xv) Training to GP members and gram sabha members on NREGA at GP level
6 (75.0)
0 (0.0)
1 (12.5)
xvi) Bank employee should be cooperative to workers 4 (50.0)
0 (0.0)
0 (0.0)
Source: Field survey
Gram Rozgar Sewak available for GP
There is a provision for appointing a Gram Rozgar Sewak under NREGA, it has been
reported that Gram Rozgar Sewak have been appointed in all the Gram Panchayats in
Sirmaur and 75% of the Panchayats in Sirsa. But none of the selected Gram Panchayats
in district Hoshiarpur has appointed gram rozgar sewak. (See table 4.20)
Table 4.20
Gram Rozgar Sewak available for GPs
Source: Field survey
Gram Rozgar Sewak Capable to do the job
In district Sirmaur only one Panchayat reported that gram Rozgar Sewak is not capable
to do the NREGA work, where as other all selected Panchayat reported that Gram
Rozgar Sewak doing work properly. In Sirsa all the gram Panchayat where gram Rozgar
are available reported that staff is capable to do the job. (See table 4.21 )
Table 4.21 Gram Rozgar Sewak capable to do the job according to Panchayats
Source: Field survey
Availability of technical staff
All gram Panchayats of district Sirmaur, 75% of district Sirsa and 87.5% of Hoshiarpur
reported that services of JE are available to them. They feel that the number of JE’s is
not adequate to handle the workload .Their services are generally not available to them
when needed the most. As a result many Panchayats face problem in getting work
measurement and thereafter its utilization certificate. (See table)
Table 4.22
Technical assistant (JE) for a group of gram Panchayat to supervise the work according to Panchayats
Districts Sr. No
Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
i) Yes 6 (75.00)
8 (100.0)
7 (87.5)
ii) No 2 0 1
Districts Sr. No
Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
i) Yes 6 (75.0)
8 (100.0)
0 (0.0)
ii) No 2 (25.0)
0 (0.0)
8 (100.0)
Districts Sr. No Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
i) Yes 8 (100.0)
7 (87.5)
0 (0,0)
ii) No 0 (0.0)
1 (12.5)
0 (0.0)
Transparency and accountability
0
20
40
60
80
100
Sirsa
Sirm
aur
Hoshiarpur
Districts
%
Wages are paid
regularly through
bank
Less corruption
as compared to
earlier schemes
No corruption at
all
(25.0) (0.0) (12.5) Source: Field survey
Transparency and accountability in NREGA work
Transparency and accountability is required not only in NREGA but also in the over all
system of governance and functioning of Panchayats. Therefore this aspect was also
looked into in the enquiry. The main aspect of this enquiry and the responses of
Panchayats to these aspects are as given below:
• Wages are paid regularly through bank: More than 87% of the selected gram
Panchayats of district Sirmaur and Hoshiarpur reported that wages are paid
regularly where as only 50% of the selected GPs of district Sirsa reported
payments of wages to workers on a regular basis, while another one-half
selected panchayats reported delay in payment to the workers.
• Less corruption as compared to earlier scheme: This is supported by majority
of selected GPs. According to them now there is little possibility of corruption in
the scheme because wages are paid through bank .There are lots of check and
balances in the NREGA implementation.
Table 4.23 Transparency and Accountability according to Panchayats
Districts Sr. No Aspect Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
i)
Wages are paid regularly through bank
4 (50.0)
7 (87.5)
7 (87.5)
ii) Less corruption as compared to earlier schemes
6 (50.0)
7 (87.5)
7 (87.5)
iii) No corruption 1 (12.5)
4 (50.0)
0 (0.0)
Source: Field survey
Role of Panchayats in planning and implementations:
As Panchayats are the main implementing agency for NREGA, their main functions of
NREGA schemes are as under:
• Perspective plan preparation
• Fund management
• Keeping and maintaining of record
• Provides worksite facilitates
• Hold meeting with BDO’s, Zila parishad and other officers
• To makes technical estimation for works in consultation with JE./Technical
assistant
• District wise responses of Panchayat are given in table 4.24
Table 4.24 Role of Panchayat in planning and Implementation (according to Panchayats)
Table Districts Sr. No Functions Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
i) Perspective plan preparation 8 (100.0)
8 (100.0)
6 (75.0)
ii) Funds Management 2 (25.0)
7 (87.5)
3 (37.5)
iii) Management of NREGA records and job card 5 (62.5)
6 (75.0)
1 (12.5)
iv) Provide work site facilities 0 (0.0)
3 (37.5)
1 (12.5)
v) Hold meeting with BDO’s & Zila Prishad members and Govt. officials
5 (62.5)
4 (50.0)
0 (0.0)
vi) GP make technical estimate with JE/ technical assistant for work
0 (0.0)
1 (12.5)
0 (0.0)
Source: Field survey
Work provided to disable persons
Under NREGA guidelines work has also been provided to disabled persons. Data in
table 4.25 show whereas none of the selected Panchayats in Sirsa district provided
employment to disabled persons, one Panchayat in the district Sirmaur and 2 Panchayat
in district Hoshiarpur reported that they provided employment to disabled persons.
Table 4.25 Work provided to Disabled person according to Panchayats
Source: Field survey
Peoples participation meetings of social Audit forum
As discussed earlier social audits are a must for successful implementation of the
scheme. It was enquired from the Panchayats whether people participate in the
meetings organized by social audit forum. Data in table 4.26 show that in district Sirsa
not a single Panchayat reported any meeting of social forum where as only one
Panchayat each from district Sirmaur and Hoshiarpur reported that people do participate
in social audits meetings.
Table 4.26
People participation in meeting of social Audit forum according to Panchayats
Source: Field survey
Minimum approved works for execution with Panchayat
According to NREGA guideline each Panchayats should have at least five works which
are to be approved technically, financially and administratively, so that whenever a job
card holder demands for work Panchayats should be able to provide that to him in a
short span of time. Data in table 4.27 show that all gram Panchayats in Sirsa district,
87.50 percent Sirmaur district and about 25% in Hoshiarpur district had at least five
approved works.
Table 4.27
Gram Panchayat has five technically approved works for execution according to Panchayats
Source: Field survey
Districts Sr. No
Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
i) Yes 0 (0.0)
1 (12.5)
2 (25.0)
ii) No 8 (100.0)
7 (87.5)
6 (75.0)
Districts Sr. No
Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
i) Yes 0 (0.0)
1 (12.5)
1 (12.5)
ii) No 8 (100.0)
7 (87.5)
7 (87.5)
Districts Sr. No
Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
i) Yes 8 (100.0)
7 (87.5)
2 (25.00)
ii) No 0 (0.0)
1 (12.5)
6 (75.00)
Change of work at upper level
It is generally reported that Panchayats works are changed at block or district level. Data
in table 4.28, it show that more than 75 percent Panchayats reported that their
suggested works had been changed at upper level. But in other two districts however
situation is not that bad as compared to Hoshiarpur district.
Table 4.28 Work suggested by Panchayats got changed at senior level according to Panchayats
Source: Field survey
Funds flow to Gram Panchayats
The funds flow to gram Panchayats is not regular and smooth in half of the gram
Panchayats in district Sirmaur and Hoshiarpur and more than 62 percent GPs in district
Sirsa reported that fund flow is regular and smooth.
Table 4.29 Funds flow to GP is regular and smooth according to Panchayats
Districts Sr. No
Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
i) Yes 5 (62.5)
4 (50.0)
4 (50.0)
ii) No 3 (37.5)
4 (50.0)
4 (50.0)
Source: Field survey
Districts Sr. No
Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
i) Yes 1 (12.5)
1 (12.5)
6 (75.0)
ii) No 7 (87.5)
7 (87.5)
6 (25.0)
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
%
Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
Districts
Regular and smooth funding
Yes
No
Reasons for delay
The reasons for delay as reported by Gram Panchayats are:
• Funds delay because of official formalities.
• Account of Gram Panchayats is in cooperative bank, and the bank takes more
days for the transfer of funds. Most of the funds remains at block headquarters.
Table 4.30
Reasons for delay Districts Sr.
No
Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
i) Funds delayed because of official formality 1 (12.5)
1 (12.5)
1 (12.5)
ii)
GP’s bank account are in cooperative bank which fund transfer cheque takes more time
1 (12.5)
1 (12.5)
1 (12.5)
ii)
Most of the time funds remain with Block Headquarter 1 (12.5)
2 (25.0)
2 (25.0)
Source: Field survey
2. Worksite Verification Status
Out of 24 selected GPs of three districts, 18 Gram Panchayats were selected where
works were on going stage. The Team visited all the worksites during working hours. At
most of the time visits to worksites were unannounced. The Team held informal
discussion with the labourers, mates and women in separate groups or individual in
order to get the first hand information on the implementation of NREGA activities.
Workers were also educated by the team regarding the main features of NREGA,
particularly about their rights to get 100 days employment in a year about which majority
of the workers in all selected gram Panchayats were not aware about it. Besides
inspecting the work site facilities, the team also made field observation and discussed
the economic usefulness of the work created. After meeting the workers on worksites the
team also visited the Panchayat offices and verified the records and the muster roll. The
team also discussed the problems of workers with the elected members of Panchayats
and requested them to rectify the problem faced by the workers on worksite. Selected
Panchayats ensured the team regarding implementation scheme in a better way. The
district-wise findings of worksite verification is given as under.
Muster Role
i) Availability of Muster role at the time of visit
At the time of visit by the team to various worksite in the three selected districts. It was
found that Muster role (MR) was not available at the worksite in any of the six Gram
Panchayats in Sirsa, MR was available only with one Panchayat in Sirmaur District.
However in Punjab, MR was available at 5 worksite out of 6 selected GPs. The main
reason for its absence from the worksites was that MR is filled only after the completion
of work. In district Sirmaur MR was available only with half of the Panchayats. The
remaining half of the Panchayats reported that the MR is available in Government offices
or with some other person locally. (see table 4.31 & 4.32)
Table 4.31
Availability of Muster Roll at the time of visit of the team
Districts Sr. No
Status Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
1 Yes 0 (0.0)
1 (16.7)
5 (83.3)
2 No 6 (100.0)
5 (83.3)
1 (17.1)
Source: Field survey
Avaiabity of muster roll
0
16.7
83.3
100
83.3
16.7
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
Districts
%
Yes
No
Table- 4.32
Availability of Muster role at places other than worksite
Districts
Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
Sr. No Variable
No % No % No %
Muster role available with
i) Panchayat 0 0 3 50 0 0
ii) Locally 0 0 1 16.67 0 0
iii) Govt. Office 0 0 1 16.67 1 16.67
iv) Elsewhere 0 0 0 0 0 0
v) Not Available 6 100 0 0 0 0
vi) Not applicable 0 0 0 0 0 0
vii) (MR available at Work) 0 0 1 16.67 5 83.3 Source: Field survey
ii) Updating of Muster role
MR was updated at 60% of worksite in Hoshiarpur district and only at one worksite in
Sirmaur district, in Sirsa district since MR is Updated only after the completion of work,
naturally, it was found incomplete at all the worksites. (See table 4. 33 and graph)
Table 4.33 Updating of Muster role
Districts Sr. No
Status Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
1 Yes 0 (0.0)
1 (16.67)
3 (50.0)
2 No 6 (100.0)
0 (0.0)
2 (33.3)
Source: Field survey
Updating the muster roll
0
16.67
50
100
0
33.3
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Sirsa
Sirmaur
Hoshiarpur
Districts
%
Yes No
Workers at a worksite in GP Kiyari Gundah, Sirmaur
Labour available at worksite (According to MR)
According to the
information
available from the
muster roles at 5
worksites in
Hoshiarpur district
there were
between 10-15
workers at 2
worksites,15-20
workers at another
2 worksites and
over 20 workers at one worksite. Information was available only for one worksite in
Sirmaur district where there were less then 10 workers. No information was available for
any worksites in district
Sirsa as MR was not available at any worksite. (See table 4.34)
Table 4.34
Labour available at work site on the day of visit Districts
Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur Sr. No
Variable
% % %
Labour available at work site (According to Master role)
i) Less then 10 0 0 1 16.67 0 0
ii) 10- 15 0 0 0 0 2 33.3
iii) 15- 20 0 0 0 0 2 33.3
iv) 20+ 0 0 0 0 1 16.67
v) MR not available 6 100 5 83.3 1 16.67 Source: Field survey
Actual Labour available at worksite at the time of visit
At the time of the visit of the team to the various worksites in the three districts, more
then 20 workers were found actually working at 4 worksites in district Sirsa and 1
worksite each in district Sirmaur and Hoshiarpur. Similarly, between 15-20 labourers
were found at one location in Sirsa district and between 10-15 labourers at 4 worksites in
district Sirmaur and 1worksites each in Sirsa and Hoshiarpur Districts. (See table 4.35)
Table 4.35 Actual Labour available at the time of visit
Districts
Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur Sr. No Variable
% % %
Labour available (Actual)
i) 0 0 0 0 50 0 0
ii) Less then 10 0 0 1 16.67 4 66.67
iii) 10- 15 1 16.67 4 66.67 1 16.7
iv) 15- 20 1 16.67 0 0 0 0
v) 20+ 4 66.67 1 16.67 1 16.67
vi) MR not available 0 0 0 0 0 0 Source: Field survey
Irregularities in MR
• Irregularity was found at all the 6 Worksites of District Sirsa, as MR was not
available at any of the worksites. These Irregularities happened due to the fact
that in district Sirsa MR is updated only after the completion of work.
• In District Sirmaur, irregularities in MR were found at 80 Percent of selected work
sites verified.
• In district Hoshiarpur irregularities in MR was found in half of the verified works.
(see table 4.36 & graph)
Table- 4.36 Irregularity in the muster roll
Districts Sr. No
Status Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
1 Yes 6 (100.00)
4 (80.00)
3 (50.00)
Workers at GP Palli, Hoshiarpur
2 No 0 (0%)
1 (20.00)
1 (16.67)
3 Un 0 (0%)
1 (20.00)
1 (16.67)
Source: Field survey
Irregularity in muster roll
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
Districts
%
Yes
No
Un
Employment in response to Work application
Table 4.37 shows that
labourers got employment
in response to work
application at two third of
the worksites in districts
Sirsa, one third of the sites
in Sirmaur districts and
only at one site in
Hoshiarpur district. At rest
of the worksites in three district labourers got employment even without making any
written application for the work, however at 2 worksites in Sirmaur district and one
worksite in Sirsa district labourers completed the formality of filling the application form
after getting the employment. At many of the worksites mostly in Hoshiarpur district,
even this formality (filling of application after getting the employment) was not
completed. (See table 4.37)
Table- 4.37 Labourers got employment in response to application
Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur Sr. No
Variable
% % %
i.) Yes, Labourers got work in response to application
4 (66.67)
2 (33.3)
1 (16.7)
ii.) No, most labourers filled application after getting work
1 (16.7)
2 (33.3)
0 (0.00)
iii.) No, did not fill any application 1 (16.7)
1 (16.7)
4 (66.67)
iv.) Others 0 (0.0)
1 (16.7)
1 (16.7)
Source: Field survey
Work application: Individual or Team
It has already been discussed above that labourers got employment in response to their
application only at 7 worksites. At another 3 worksites labourers completed the
formalities of filing the application form after getting the employment. Further enquiry
revealed that all the application received for work, whether before the employment or
after, submitted their applications individually. Not a single application for work was
received from a group of labourers as a team. In district Hoshiarpur at 5 worksite
situation is unclear. (see table 4.38)
Table- 4.38 Work application: individual or team
Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur Sr. No Variable % % %
Application whether individual or team
i) Individual 4 66.67 3 50 1 16.7
ii) Team 0 0 0 0 0 0
iii) Both 0 0 0 0 0 0
iv) Unclear 2 33.3 3 50 5 83.3
v) NA 0 0 0 0 0 0 Source: Field survey
Wages paid at work site
As per NREGA guidelines, it is mandatory to make payments of wages to the labourers
through bank. This principle is also followed at all the worksites, except one, in the three
districts. The one exception is in Hoshiarpur where workers were paid their wages at the
worksite because they had not yet started operating their accounts in the bank. (see
table 4.39)
Table- 4.39
Wages paid at worksite Districts S. No
Status Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
1 Yes 0 (0.0)
0 (0.0)
1 (16.7)
2 No 6 (100.0)
6 (100.0)
5 (83.3)
3 Un 0 (0.0)
0 (0.0)
0 (0.0)
Source: Field survey
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
Shade for period of rest
Drinking w ater
First-aid-kit
Child Care Facility
Facilities at w orksite
Facilities available at work site
• Shades for period of rest were not available at any work site of selected GP’s of
all the three districts.
• Drinking water facility was available at all the work site of District Sirsa, and
available at more than 83 % worksite of District Hoshiarpur and only at one
worksite of District Sirmaur.
• First aid kit was available at half worksites of district Sirsa, and only one site of
district Hoshiarpur and none of selected worksites of district Sirmaur has first aid
kit facility at the worksites.
• Child care facility was not available at any of the worksites of three Districts. (see
table 4.40 & graph)
Table- 4.40
Facilities available at worksite Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur Facilities
Yes No Yes No Yes No
Shade for period of rest 0 (0.0)
6 (100.00)
0 (0.00)
6 (100.0)
0 (0.0)
6 (100.0)
Drinking water 6 (100.0)
0 (0.00)
1 (16.7)
5 (83.3)
5 (83.3)
1 (16.7)
First-aid-kit 3 (50.0)
3 (50.00)
0 (0.00)
6 (100.0)
1 (16.7)
5 (83.3)
Child Care Facility 0 (0.0)
6 (100.0)
0 (0.00)
6 (100.0)
0 (0.0)
6 (100.0)
Source: Field survey
Board at work site
Board at work site was available only at one worksites each of district Sirmaur and
district Hoshiarpur and at none of the worksites verified in district Sirsa. Information on
total amount sanctioned, amount sanctioned for labour component, minimum wages and
tasks earn to minimum wages has been provided on the board where Board was
available.
Formation of Vigilance Committee
The vigilance committee was formed in district Sirmaur in half GPs and only at one GP
in district Sirsa. In district Hoshiarpur not a single verified worksite had a vigilance
committee. Beside the vigilance committees formed were active at 50 per cent worksite
in district Sirmaur. (see table 4.41)
Table- 4.41
Vigilance committee formed Districts Sr. No
Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
1 Yes 1 (16.7)
3 (50.0)
0 (0.0)
2 No 5 (83.3)
3 (50.0)
6 (100.0)
3 Un 0 (0.0)
0 (0.0)
0 (0.0)
Source: Field survey
Table- 4.42 Active vigilance committee
Districts Sr. No
Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur 1 Yes 0
(0.0) 3
(50.0) 1
(16.7) 2 No 0
(0.0) 3
(50.0) 0
(0.0) 3 Un 6
(100.0) 0
(0.0) 5
(83.3)
Source: Field survey
Evidence of irregularities
Contractor‘s involvement
As per NREGA guidelines, involvement of contractors in execution of work is not
permitted. However, in violation of these guidelines, involvement of contractors was
observed at two worksites in Sirsa district and at one worksite in Hoshiarpur district.
(See table 4.43)
Contractor involvement
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
Districts
%
Yes
No
Use of machinery
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
Districts
%
Yes
No
Table 4.43 Contractor’s involvement
Districts Sr. No
Status Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
1 Yes 2 (33.0)
0 (0.0)
1
(16.7)
2 No 4
(66.7)
6
(100.0)
5
(83.3)
Source: Field survey
Use of labour displacing machine
As in the case of involvement of contractors, use of labour displacing machines is also
not permitted under NREGA works. Despite of it, machines were used in execution of
works at one worksite in each districts of Sirsa and Hoshiarpur. (see Table 4.44 & graph)
Table 4.44
Use of Labour displacing machine Districts Sr. No
Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
1 Yes (16.7) 0 (0.0)
1 (16.7)
2 No (83.3) 6 (100.0)
5 (83.3)
Source: Field survey
Corruption of any kind at work site
Out of six worksites in each district, prevalence of corruption was reported from five
worksites in district Sirsa and three worksites in district Hoshiarpur. However, none such
corruption was reported in district Sirmaur. (See Table 4.45)
Table- 4.45
Corruption of any kind at worksite Districts Sr. No
Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
1 Yes 5 (83.3)
0 (0.0)
3 (50.0)
2 No 1 (16.7)
6 (100.0)
3 (50.0)
Source: Field survey
Mate got training
Training to mate was not provided at any of the worksites in district of Sirsa and Sirmaur
but in district Hoshiarpur three days training was provided to one of the mate available at
one worksite. (see Table 4.46)
Table- 4.46 Mate employed at worksite got training
Districts Sr. No
Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
1 Yes 0 (0.0)
0 (0.0)
1 (16.7)
2 No 6 (100.0)
6 (100.0)
5 (83.3)
3 Un 0 (0.0)
0 (0.0)
0 (0.0)
Source: Field survey
Mate able to tell name of vigilance committee members
Only one mate at district Hoshiarpur gram Panchayats were able to tell the names of
vigilance committee members. (See table 4.47)
Table-4.47 Mate able to tell name of at least one vigilance committee member
Districts Sr. No Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
1 Yes 0 (0.0)
1 (16.7)
1 (16.7)
2 No 6 (100.0)
2 (33.3)
4 (66.7)
3 Un 0 (0.0)
1 (16.7)
1 (16.7)
Source: Field survey
Mates do any work measurement
Out of the six verified worksites in each district, work measurement was done by mate at
5 worksites in district Sirsa, 3 worksites in district Hoshiarpur and only at 1 worksite in
Sirmaur district
Table- 4.48
Mate does any work measurement Districts Sr. No
Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
1 Yes 5 (83.3)
1 (16.7)
1 (16.7)
2 No 1 (16.7)
2 (33.3)
0 (0.0)
3 Un 0 (0.0)
3 (50.0)
5 (83.37)
Source: Field survey
Mate having equipment
Out of six mate in district Sirsa 5 were having basic equipments, that is measuring tape
and measuring pole, needed for work measurement. Three of them were also having
electronic calculators to facilitate accurate calculation of works. However only one mate
was in possession of proper measurement sheet to record the measurement of works.
(see Table 4.49)
Table- 4.49
Mate having equipment
Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur Sr. No
Variable
Yes No Un Yes No Un Yes No Un
i) Measuring Pole
5 (83.3)
1 (16.7)
0 (0.0)
1 (16.7)
1 (16.7)
4 (66.7)
3 (50.0)
1 (16.7)
2 (33.3)
ii) Measuring Tape
5 (83.3)
1 (16.7)
0 (0.0)
2 (33.3)
4 (66.7)
0 (0.0)
3 (50.0)
1 (16.7)
2 (33.3)
iii) Calculator 3 (50.0)
1 (16.7)
2 (33.3)
3 (50.0)
1 (16.7)
2 (33.3)
3 (50.0)
1 (16.7)
2 (33.3)
iv) Measurement Sheet
1 (16.7)
4 (66.7)
1 (16.7)
2 (33.3)
4 (66.7)
0 (0.0)
4 (66.7)
2 (33.3)
0 (0.0)
Source: Field survey
Economic useful of assets being created maintained or repaired as per
investigator
The investigators who conducted the survey also assessed the usefulness of created
assets at various worksites in three districts. As per their assessment, in Sirmaur and
Hoshiarpur district more than 83 per cent worksite assets were rated either very useful
or quite good. The assets created at the remaining worksites in the three districts were
rated either not particularly useful or useless. (see table 4.50 & graph)
Hoshiarpur
33.3
50
16.7
16.7
Very useful
Quite useful
Useless
Unabless to assess
Sirmaur
50
33.3
16.700
Very useful
Quite useful
Not particular
useful
Sirsa
16.7
33.3
16.7
33.3
0
Useless
Quite useful
Not particular
usful
Very useful
Table- 4.50 Economic usefulness of the assets as per investigator
Sr. No
Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
i) Very useful 1 (16.7)
3 (50.00)
2 (33.3)
ii) Quite useful 2 (33.3)
2 (33.3)
3 (50.00)
iii) Not particular useful 1 (16.7)
1 (16.7)
0 (0.00)
iv) Useless 2 (33.3)
0 (0.00)
1 (16.7)
Source: Field survey
Economic usefulness of the assets
Soil conservation work in progress at GP Palli, Hoshiarpur
Economic usefulness of works being done at the work site
Like usefulness of created assets, the investigators also assessed the usefulness of
works being done at the worksites, in the three districts out of 6 worksites in each
district, works being done at 4 worksites each in Sirmaur and Hoshiarpur districts and 3
worksites in Sirmaur district were rated as very useful or quite useful, while the works at
the remaining site were rated either not particularly useful or useless. Works on one site
in district Sirmaur could not be assessed.
Table- 4.51 Economic usefulness of the work
Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur Sr. No
% % %
i) Very useful 1 (16.7)
1 (16.7)
2 (33.3)
ii) Quite useful 2 (33.3)
3 (50.0)
2 (33.3)
iii) Not particularly useful 2 (33.3)
0 (0.0)
1 (16.7)
iv) Useless 1 (16.7)
1 (16.7)
1 (16.7)
v) Unable to assess 0 (0.0)
1 (16.7)
0 (0.0)
Source: Field survey
Laborers employed at worksite live further than 5 kms
At one worksite in Sirsa and two at Sirmaur where few workers were coming from more
than 5 kms from worksite. Otherwise workers were from the same Panchayats/villages.
Panchayats wise status of muster roll
District: Sirsa Block: Rania i
Sr. No
Name of the Panchayat
Work status Muster Roll Status
1 Ottu On going The workers were given work on the basis of measurement by the gram Panchayat & the muster roll was filled after the completion of work.
2 Dhani Partap Singh On going The workers were given work on the basis of measurement by the gram Panchayat & the muster roll was filled after the completion of work.
3 Peer Khera
On going The workers were given work on the basis of measurement by the gram Panchayat & the muster roll was filled after the completion of work.
District: Sirsa Block: Ellanabad
1 Talwara Khurd On going The workers were given work on the basis of measurement by the gram Panchayat & the muster roll was filled after the completion of work.
2 Mirzapur On going The workers were given work on the basis of measurement by the gram Panchayat & the muster roll was filled after the completion of work.
3 Poharka On going The workers were given work on the basis of measurement by the gram Panchayat & the muster roll was filled after the completion of work.
District: Sirmaur Block :Shillai
Sr.
No
Name of the
Panchayat
Work Status Muster Roll Status
1 Shri Kiyari On going Muster Roll was not available at the time of survey.
2 Kiyari Gundah On going Some workers worked for few days but their attendance was
noted full days.
3 Bandli On going (1) There were some fake attendances of the workers.
(2) No sign of Pradhan on MR
District: Sirmaur Block: Sangrah
1 Bharari On going (1)There was no number of the issue authority.
(2)There were no sign of the issue authority on the MR.
2 Beyong Tatwa On going The Muster Roll status was good.
3 Chocker On going (1)There were two fake names enrolled in the Muster Roll.
(2)There was no unique number on the Muster Roll of the issuing
authority.
District: Hoshiarpur Block: Hoshiarpur-1
Sr.
No
Name of the
Panchayat
Work status Muster Roll Status
1 Sherpur Kham On going Some workers worked for few days but their attendance was
noted full days.
2 Hussainpur Guru On going Two persons were found fake in Muster Roll.
3 Adamwal On going Muster Roll status was good.
District: Hoshiarpur Block:Talwara
1 Chack Meerpur On going Muster Roll status was good.
2 Palli On going Muster Roll was satisfactory.
3
Beh Lakhan On going There were some fake names in MR dated-7-7-09 to 19-7-09
3. Detail of workers and their Perceptions about NREGA One of the main objectives of NREGS is to provide 100 days wage employment to the
members of household who have got the job card. Therefore workers are the major
stakeholders in the process of implementation of NREGS. Keeping the fact in mind an
effort was made to analysis the socio economic background, age sex, educational level,
and occupation etc of the workers selected for the interview. Attempt was also made to
know about the problem they faced in submitting their application for seeking work,
getting job card and opening of bank account, irregularities if any in getting wages or
unemployment allowance, and status of facilities provided at worksite etc. This
information was collected through a well structured questionnaire. For this purpose 240
workers, 80 from each district were interviewed. The focus of this chapter is on the
findings which emerged from the gathered date. These findings are as discussed below.
Age of the Respondents
Statistics about age of workers revealed that more than 52 percent of total workers in all
the selected GPs in three districts belonged to 35 year and above age group. 15 percent
respondents were in less than 25 years age group and nearly 32 percent were in the age
group of 25- 35 years. But there were variations in the proportion of workers in different
age groups at the district level. For example proportion of workers in age group 35+ was
67.5 percent, in Hoshiarpur, 51-25% in Sirmaur district and 40 percent in Sirsa. Similarly
in 25-35 years age group this proportion was about 44% in district Sirsa, over 30 percent
in Sirmaur and only 20% in Hoshiarpur. In less then 25 years age group this proportion
was 17.5, 16.2 and 12.5 percent in Sirmaur, Sirsa and Hoshiarpur districts respectively.
(see table 4.52)
Table-4.52
District-wise age of Workers Age Sr.
No District
> 25 25-35 35+ Total
1 Sirmaur 14 (17.05)
25 (20.00)
41 (51.25)
80 (100.00)
2 Hoshiarpur 10 (12.05)
16 (30.00)
54 (67.5)
80 (100.00)
3 Sirsa 13 (16.02)
35 (44.00)
32 (40.00)
80 (100.00)
Total 37 (15.00)
76 (32.00)
127 (52.00)
240 (100.00)
Source: Field survey
Years of Works
As NREGS was started in first phase in selected districts, therefore workers were asked
in which years they work. Most of workers were currently working viz. during 2009-10.
Some workers have been working in each year continuously.
Education
The data with respect to educational level of workers revealed that about 42 per cent of
the total workers were illiterate, and 25 per cent had education only up to primary level.
Only about 15 percent of workers had education up to middle level (8th level). This
shows that about 82 percent of the total workers were either illiterate or had very low
level of education. This is understandable because NREGA projects offers work which is
mainly manual in nature. This type of work is accepted mainly by the illiterate and less
educated persons. The proportion of workers belonging to different educational
categories is, however, different in each of three districts. For instance, 64 percent of
workers in district Sirsa were illiterate. This proportion in district Hoshiarpur was only
about 26 percent, while in district Sirmaur it was about 36 percent. (see table 4.53)
Table 4.53
District-wise Education Profile of Workers
Education Qualification Sr. No.
District Illiterate Upto
Primary Upto
Middle Matric &
10 + 2 Graduate Total
1 Sirmaur 29 (36.25)
20 (25.00)
14 (17.50)
16 (20.00)
1 (1.25)
80 (100.00)
2 Hoshiarpur 21 (26.25)
20 (25.00)
15 (18.75)
19 (23.75)
5 (6.25)
80 (100.00)
3 Sirsa 51 (63.75)
18 (22.50)
6 (7.50)
5 (6.25)
0 (0.00)
80 (100.00)
Total 101 (42.08)
58 (24.17)
35 (14.58)
40 (16.67)
6 (2.50)
240 (100.00)
Source: Field survey
Annual Income
The data revealed that annual income of more then 80 percent of the workers was Rs.
20000/- or less. In fact annual income of 40% of the workers was less then Rs.10000/-.
Only a very small proportion of workers (about 6 percent) had annual income more then
Rs.30000/- . (See table4.54)
Table 4.54
District-wise Annual-Income of Workers
Annual Income Sr. No.
District <10000 10001 to 20000 20000 to 30000 >30000 Total
1 Sirmaur 37 (46.25)
26 (32.50)
9 (11.25)
8 (10.00)
80 (100.00)
2 Hoshiarpur 29 (36.25)
38 (47.50)
12 (15.00)
1 (1.25
80 (100.00)
3 Sirsa 30 (37.50
37 (46.25)
7 (8.75)
6 (7.50)
80 (33.33)
Total 96 (40.00)
101 (42.08)
28 (11.67)
15 (6.25)
240 (100.00)
Source: Field survey
Sex: About one-fifth of total workers were female. This proportion was higher in district
Hoshiarpur (37.50%) and very low in district Sirmaur (3.75%). The reason for less
number of female workers in Sirmaur is due to local traditions which do not allow women
to work in such labour intensive schemes.
Caste: Caste of the workers is an important variable. In the sample, more than 42
percent workers were from scheduled castes category, 21 percent from OBC and more
than 36 percent belonged to general category. More than half of the respondents of
district Sirsa were SCs. Similarly more than 46 percent respondents of Hoshiarpur
district belonged to scheduled caste category. The relatively high proportion of workers
from SC category is simply because incidence of poverty is much higher among them.
(See table 4.55)
caste of the workers
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Sirmaur Hoshiarpur Sirsa
%
General
SC
OBC
Table 4.55 District wise distribution of workers by caste
Caste Sr. No. District
General SC OBC Row Total
1 Sirmaur 46 (57.50)
24 (30.00)
10 (12.50)
80 (100.00)
2 Hoshiarpur 26 (32.50)
37 (46.25)
17 (21.25)
80 (100.00)
3 Sirsa 15 (18.75)
41 (51.25)
24 (30.00)
80 (100.00)
Total 87 (36.25)
102 (42.50)
51 (21.25)
80 (100.00)
Source: Field survey
Number of Family Members: No. of family member is important indicator for the study
of NREGA because most of the family members are dependent on worker and it is the
responsibility of the worker to look after the needs of the family. Data in table 4.56 show
that more than 58 percent of workers were having family members between 4-6. In
district Sirmaur 60 percent of workers were having family member 6 and more. It shows
that family size whether nuclear or joint in district Sirmaur particularly in the selected
blocks of Shillai and Sangrah is fairly large. This means that the number of dependents
on the workers in District Sirmaur is comparative more.
Table 4.56
District wise distribution of workers by number of family members
No of family members Sr. No.
District -4 4-6 6+ Row Total
1 Sirmaur 3 (3.75)
29 (36.25)
48 (60.00)
80 (100.00)
2 Hoshiarpur 16 (20.00)
37 (71.25)
7 (8.75)
80 (100.00)
3 Sirsa 6 (7.50)
55 (68.75)
19 (23.75)
80 (100.00)
Total 25 (10.42)
141 (58.75)
74 (30.83)
80 (100.00)
Source: Field survey
Worker Category: As NREGA cover the rural wage labourers, therefore more than 97
percent workers who worked in the scheme belong to unskilled category. The situation is
more or less same in all the three selected districts. (see table 4.57)
Table 4.57 District wise distribution of workers by worker categories
No of family members Sr. No. District
Unskilled Semi-skilled Skilled Total
1 Sirmaur 76 (95.00)
2 (2.50)
2 (2.50)
80 (100.00)
2 Hoshiarpur 78 (97.50)
2 (2.50)
0 (0.00)
80 (100.00)
3 Sirsa 79 (98.75)
0 (0.00)
1 (1.25)
80 (100.00)
Total 233 (97.08)
4 (1.07)
3 (1.25)
240 (100.00)
Source: Field survey
Process of Getting Job Card: - Getting job card is one of the main tasks in NREGS
because employment is to be provided on the basis of it. It was enquired from the
workers whether they had applied to the GP for registration in written or orally. Data in
table 4.58 shows that more than three-fourth respondents applied for registration in
writing. In district Sirmaur more than 88 percent selected workers told that they had
submitted written application for issuing of job card. (For detail see table 4.58)
Table 4.58
District wise distribution of workers applied for registration
Sr.No. District
Yes No Total 1 Sirmaur 71
(88.75) 9
(11.25) 80
(100.00) 2 Hoshiarpur 60
(75.00) 20
(25.00) 80
(100.00) 3 Sirsa 50
(62.50) 30
(37.50) 80
(100.00) Total 181
(75.42) 59
(24.58) 240
(100.00) Source: Field survey
Information Source: - Source of information regarding NREGS was also enquired, and
it was found that in more than 98 percent cases responded that one of main source was
their gram Panchayats. It was gram Panchayats particularly Sarpanch /Pradhan, who
told the wage earner to get register for job cards. (See table 4.59)
Table 4.59
District wise distribution of workers Panchayat as a awareness source
Panchayat Sr.No. District
Yes No Total
1 Sirmaur 79 (98.75)
1 (1.25)
80 (100.00)
2 Hoshiarpur 78 (97.50)
2 (2.50)
80 (100.00)
3 Sirsa 79 (98.75)
1 (1.25)
80 (100.00)
Total 236 (98.33)
4 (1.67)
240 (100.00)
Source: Field survey
Media Radio: -Though much information is provided through Radio, on NREGS but it
was only a source for few workers (8.44 %). (See table4.60)
Table 4.60 District wise distribution of workers (Media Radio as a awareness source)
Media Radio Sr.No. District
Yes No Total
1 Sirmaur 4 (5.00)
76 (95.00)
80 (100.00)
2 Hoshiarpur 5 (6.25)
75 (93.75)
80 (100.00)
3 Sirsa 11 (14.29)
69 (85.71)
80 (100.00)
Total 20 (8.44)
217 (91.56)
240 (100.00)
Source: Field survey
Media TV: -Though worker admitted that they have no time to watch the TV, still more
than 27 percent of total selected workers in all the three district and 45 percent of
Hoshiarpur district reported TV as a source of awareness on NREGS. (See table 4.61)
Table 4.61 District wise distribution of workers (Media T.V as a awareness source)
Media T.V Sr.No. District
Yes No Total
1 Sirmaur 7 (8.75)
73 (91.25)
80 (100.00)
2 Hoshiarpur 36 (45.00)
44 (55.00)
80 (100.00)
3 Sirsa 24 (29.49)
56 (70.51)
80 (100.00)
Total 67 (27.73)
173 (72.27)
240 (100.00)
Source: Field survey
Media News Papers: - Newspapers have minimum impact on the workers awareness,
because majority of the workers were illiterate and newspaper is also not available to
them. (See table 4.62)
Table 4.62
District wise distribution of workers (Media newspaper as awareness source)
Newspaper Sr.No. District
Yes No Total
1 Sirmaur 5 (6.25)
75 (93.75)
80 (100.00)
2 Hoshiarpur 18 (22.50)
62 (77.50)
80 100.00)
3 Sirsa 8 (8.97)
72 (91.03)
80 (100.00)
Total 31 (12.61)
209 (87.39)
240 (100.00)
Source: Field survey
Government Functionaries: - Govt. functionaries were not playing very much role in
creating awareness among the working class. (See table 4.63)
Table 4.63
District wise distribution of workers (Government Functionaries: as an awareness source)
Government Functionaries: Sr.No. District
Yes No Total
1 Sirmaur 17 (21.25)
63 (78.75)
80 (100.00)
2 Hoshiarpur 12 (14.10)
68 (85.90)
80 (100.00)
3 Sirsa 3 (3.75)
77 (96.25)
80 (100.00)
Total 32 (13.33)
208 (86.67)
240 (100.00)
Source: Field survey
Expenses on Job Card: - More than 38 percent of total worker selected in all three
districts reported that they did expenses on job card particularly on the photo to be
pasted on job card. In district Hoshiarpur more than 57 percent selected worker reported
some expenses incurred on job card.
Table 4.64
District wise distribution of workers according to Expenses on Job Card
Expenses on Job Card Sr.No. District
Yes No Total
1 Sirmaur 9 (11.39)
71 (88.61)
80 (100.00)
2 Hoshiarpur 46 (57.50)
34 (42.50)
80 (100.00)
3 Sirsa 36 (45.00)
44 (55.00)
80 (100.00)
Total 91 (38.08)
149 (61.92)
240 (100.00)
Photo of Beneficiary on Job Card
During the survey, efforts were also made to check whether or not the job card of the
beneficiaries carried their photograph. It was found that while job cards of 87 percent
carried their photographs, about 5 percent of the job cards were without any photograph.
The status of the remaining job cards (more then 8 percent) is not clear as they were not
shown to the investigators, although most of the owners of such cards clamed that their
job cards do carry their photograph. Although issue of job cards without photograph is a
irregularities as such card can be misused. But these are seldom misused because
everybody in the village is personally known to the members of gram Panchayat.
Table 4.65
Photo of Beneficiary exist on Job Card
Status of photograph on job card
Sr.No. District
Yes seen Not clear No Total 1 Sirmaur 68
(85.00) 5
(6.25) 7
(8.75) 80
(100.00) 2 Hoshiarpur 71
(88.75) 6
(7.50) 3
(3.75) 80
(100.00) 3 Sirsa 70
(87.50) 9
(11.25) 1
(1.25) 80
(100.00) Total 209
(87.08) 21
(8.34) 11
(4.58) 240
(100.00) Source: Field survey
Mode of Application submitted for employment
As per NREGA Guidelines Gram Panchayats or Block programme office shall provide
unskilled manual work to the applicant within fifteen days of receipt of application
preferably with in a radius of 5 kms of the village where the applicant resides. The
request for work may be oral or in written form. More than 60 percent of the workers
reported that they asked for work in writing, while others just asked verbally. In
Hoshiarpur more than half of the workers asked for work only in verbal form while about
22 percent of the workers in Sirmaur district made verbal request. This shows that
employment providing agencies, whether it is Panchayat or Block office, are not insisting
for written application. (See table 4.66)
Table 4.66
Mode of Application submitted for employment
Mode of Application submitted for employment Sr.No. District
Written Application
Verbal Application
Total
1 Sirmaur 62 (77.50)
18 (22.50)
80 (100.00)
2 Hoshiarpur 39 (48.75)
41 (81.25)
80 (100.00)
3 Sirsa 44 (55.00)
36 (45.00)
80 (100.00)
Total 145 (60.42)
95 (39.58)
240 (100.00)
Source: Field Survey
Mode of application
0 50 100
Sirmaur
Hoshiarpur
Sirsa
%
Verbal
Application
Written
Application
Panchayats Issued dated Receipt of Application:
As per NREGA guidelines, Panchayats are supposed to issue a dated receipt to the
applicants on receiving the written or verbal application for employment. But it has been
reported that in most cases no receipt is issued. Panchayats generally avoid giving
receipt of application work. (See table4.67)
Table 4.67
Panchayat Issued dated Receipt of Written Application:
Sr.No. District
Yes No Total 1 Sirmaur 44
(55.00) 36
(45.00) 80
(100.00) 2 Hoshiarpur 19
(23.75) 61
(76.25) 80
(100.00) 3 Sirsa 14
(17.50) 66
(82.50) 80
(100.00) Total 77
(32.08) 163
(67.91) 240
(100.00) Source: Field survey
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
Sirmaur Hoshiarpur Sirsa
Yes
No
Issuing of receipt
Time period taken to get the job
Panchayats are supposed to provide employment to applicant within 15 days of
submission of oral or written application. But in case of selected districts, only about half
of the applicants got employment within the stipulated period. However, more then 90
percent of the workers were provided employment within 30 days of the submission of
their application. The inter district variations in the percentage of applicants who were
provided employment within 15 days of submission of application are not very much
significant. (See table 4.68)
Table 4.68
Time period taken to get the job
Days Sr.No. District
Less than15 15-30 30+ Total
1 Sirmaur 42 (52.50)
35 (43.75)
3 (3.75)
80 (100.00)
2 Hoshiarpur 39 (48.75)
29 (36.25)
12 (15.00)
80 (100.00)
3 Sirsa 37 (46.25)
35 (43.75)
8 (10.00)
80 (100.00)
Total 118 (49.17)
99 (41.25)
23 (9.58)
240 (100.00)
Source: Field survey
Unemployment Allowances: -
Under the scheme, unemployment allowance shall be payable if employment is not
provided within 15 days of the receipt of the application. Not a single worker got any
unemployment allowances for getting no work in a year. In actual practice, workers are
not aware about it.
Time Period taken for Wage Disbursement
Under this scheme it is ensured that the workers get payment for the work done by them
within a short span of time. Our enquiry reveled that about 69 percent of total workers
got their wages within a fortnight. Infact 10 percent of the total workers got their wages
within one week. The remaining workers were paid within one month. Inter district
variations especially in the time taken for making payments to workers especially if it is
divided into just two time periods that is within fortnight and after fortnight, are not very
significant. This shows that workers are getting their wages without much delay. (See
table 4.69)
Table 4.69
Time Period taken for Wage Disbursement
Days Sr.No. District
Less 8-14 days 15-30 Total
than week
days
1 Sirmaur 4(5.00) 54(67.50) 22(27.50) 80(100.00)
2 Hoshiarpur 8(10.00) 40(60.00) 24(30.00) 80(100.00)
3 Sirsa 12(15.00) 39(48.75) 29(36.25) 80(100.00) Total 24(10.00) 141(58.75) 75(31.25) 240(100.00)
Time taken for wage disbursement
0 20 40 60 80
Sirmaur
Hoshiarpur
Sirsa
15-30
days
8-14
days
Less
than
week
Source: Field survey
Expenses Incurred at the time of Opening of Bank Account: - More than 65 percent
of total workers reported that they spend some money at the time of opening of bank
account. District-wise analysis of data shows that 73 percent workers in Hoshiarpur
incurred expenses. Main item of expenses is on photographs which were pasted on job
card. (See table 4.70)
Table 4.70
Expenses Incurred at the time of Opening of Bank Account
Sr.No. District
Yes No Total
1 Sirmaur 39(48.75) 41(51.25) 80(100.00)
2 Hoshiarpur 58(72.50) 22(27.50) 80(100.00)
3 Sirsa 60(75.00) 20(25.00) 80(100.00) Total 157(65.42) 83(34.58) 240(100.00)
Source: Field survey
Distance of Bank from the workers Residence: - About 23 percent of total workers
reported that distance is up to 1 km i.e. nearby to their residence, where 40.83 percent
told, distance between 1-3 km and more than 36 percent reported distance 3 and more
than 3 km from their residence. In district Sirmaur more than one-half respondent told
that distance of bank is more than 3 km and they have to spend at least one- day to get
their daily wages. They suggested that payment should be done through post office.
Similarly problem was faced by the workers of selected GPs of district Sirsa. (See table
4.71)
Table 4.71
Distance from the bank
Distance Sr.No. District
Up to 1kms
2-3 Kms 4+ Kms Total
1 Sirmaur 11(13.75) 29(36.25) 40(50.00) 80(100.00)
2 Hoshiarpur 30(37.50) 38(47.50) 12(15.00) 80(100.00)
3 Sirsa 14(17.50) 31(38.75) 35(43.75) 80(100.00) Total 55(22.92) 98(40.83) 87(36.25) 240(100.00)
Source: Field survey
Mode of Payment: - More than 87 percent of the workers were getting wages through
Bank and about 8 percent through Post Office. Only about 5 percent of worker got their
wages through other mode. Payment through other modes is relatively more popular in
Hoshiarpur district. (See table 4.72)
Table 4.72
Mode of Payment
Mode Sr.No. District
Post office
Bank Any other Total
1 Sirmaur 4(5.00) 74(92.50) 2(2.50) 80(100.00)
2 Hoshiarpur 5(6.25) 65(81.25) 10(12.50) 80(100.00)
3 Sirsa 11(13.75) 69(86.25) 0(00.00) 80(100.00) Total 20(8.33) 208(86.67) 12(5.00) 240(100.00)
0
20
40
60
80
100
%
Sirmaur Sirsa
Mode of payment
Post office
Bank
Any other
Hoshiarpur
Source: Field survey
Awareness about Accidental Benefits: -
Efforts were also made to assess the level of awareness among workers about the
accidental benefits covered under NREGA. More than 93 percent of the total workers
were found to be unaware of this benefit. Awareness regarding this benefit was
marginally better among the workers in district Sirsa as compared to workers in other
two districts. (See table 4.73)
Table 4.73
Awareness about Accidental Benefits
Sr.No. District
Yes No Total 1 Sirmaur 4(5.00) 76(95.00) 80(100.00)
2 Hoshiarpur 3(3.75) 77(96.25) 80(100.00)
3 Sirsa 9(11.25) 71(88.75) 80(100.00) Total 16(6.67) 224(93.33) 240(100.00)
Source: Field survey
Getting Leave in a Week: - There is a provision in the scheme that the worker can get
leave in a week. It has been reported that more than 43 percent of the total workers
reported that they are availing this facility. In district Hoshiarpur more then 60 percent of
the workers are availing this facility. (See table4.74)
Table 4.74
Getting Leave in a Week
Sr.No. District
Yes No Total 1 Sirmaur 20(25.00) 60(75.00) 80(100.00)
2 Hoshiarpur 48(60.00) 32(40.00) 80(100.00)
3 Sirsa 36(45.00) 44(55.00) 80(100.00) Total 104(43.33) 136(56.67) 240(100.00)
Source: Field survey
Satisfaction from work Measurement: - Nearly 77 percent of the total workers were
satisfied from the work measurement, which they were to do in a day. About 38 percent
workers of district Sirmaur and more than 27 percent of Sirsa were not satisfied with the
work measurement. (See table 4.75)
Table 4.75
Satisfaction from work Measurement
Sr.No. District
Yes No Total 1 Sirmaur 49(61.25) 31(38.75) 80(100.00)
2 Hoshiarpur 78(97.50) 2(2.50) 80(100.00)
3 Sirsa 58(72.50) 22(27.50) 80(100.00) Total 185(77.08) 55(22.92) 240(100.00)
Source: Field survey
Regular Mate: -Nearly 43 percent of the total workers reported that there is no regular
mate. This problem is more acute in district Sirmaur where more then 62 percent of the
workers reported the non availability of regular mate. (See table 4.76)
Table 4.76
Regular Mate
Sr.No. District
Yes No Total 1 Sirmaur 30(37.50) 50(62.50) 80(100.00)
2 Hoshiarpur 44(55.00) 36(45.00) 80(100.00)
3 Sirsa 63(78.75) 17(21.25) 80(100.00) Total 137(57.08) 103(42.92) 240(100.00)
Source: Field survey
Regular mate
0
20
40
60
80
100
Sirm
aur
Hosh
iarpur
Sirs
a
Districts
%
Yes
No
Mate among the workers: -About half of the workers reported that the mate was from
among the workers where as the other half reported that the mate was not from among
workers but often from among the Panchayat members. (See table 4.77)
Table 4.77
Mate among the workers
Sr.No. District
Yes No Total
1 Sirmaur 55(68.75) 25(31.25) 80(100.00)
2 Hoshiarpur 38(47.50) 42(52.50) 80(100.00)
3 Sirsa 23(28.75) 57(71.25) 80(100.00) Total 116(48.33) 124(51.67) 240(100.00)
Source: Field survey
Rotation system
Those workers who reported that the mate is from among the workers, further reported
that in most of the cases no rotation system is followed. The same person has to report
for mates duty every day. (See table 4.78)
Table 4.78
Rotation System for the mate
Sr.No. District
Yes No Total 1 Sirmaur 9(16.36) 46(83.64) 55(100.00)
2 Hoshiarpur 4(10.53) 34(89.47) 38(100.00)
3 Sirsa 11(47.83) 12(52.17) 23(100.00) Total 24(20.69) 92(79.31) 116(100.00)
Source: Field survey
Worksite more than 5 km from Residence
Only about one-tenth of workers reported that working site was more than 5 km away
from their residence. (See table 4.79)
Table 4.79
Worked more than 5 km from Residence
Sr.No. District
Yes No Total
1 Sirmaur 5(6.25) 75(93.75) 80(100.00)
2 Hoshiarpur 6(7.50) 74(92.50) 80(100.00)
3 Sirsa 11(13.75) 69(86.25) 80(100.00) Total 22(9.17) 218(90.83) 240(100.00)
Source: Field survey
Got any extra wages if working more than 5 km
As per NREGA guidelines workers are to be paid 10 percent extra wages if the worksite
is located at a distance of more then 5 km from the residence of workers. Out of the total
240 workers who were interviewed, 22 reported that they were working men the 5 kms.
From their residence and 54.55 per cent among then got extra wages. (See table 4.80)
Table 4.80
Got any extra wages
Sr.No. District
Yes No Total 1 Sirmaur 3(60.00) 2(40.00) 5(100.00)
2 Hoshiarpur 3(50.00) 3(50.00) 6(100.00)
3 Sirsa 6(54.55) 5(45.55) 11(100.00) Total 12(54.55) 10(45.55) 22(100.00)
Source: Field survey
Worked in Line Department Work
Some works especially in district Hoshiarpur were allocated to line departments. Nearly
about one third of the workers in Hoshiarpur district reported that they had worked on
such projects. From district Sirsa also 2 workers reported that they had worked on such
works, but no worker from district Sirmaur reported that he had worked on such projects.
(See table 4.81)
Table 4.81
Worked in Line Department Work
Sr.No. District
Yes No Total 1 Sirmaur 0(0.00) 80(100.00) 80(100.00)
2 Hoshiarpur 26(32.50) 54(67.50) 80(100.00)
3 Sirsa 2(2.50) 78(97.50) 80(100.00) Total 28(11.67) 212(88.33) 240(100.00)
Source: Field survey
Persondays completed: Each worker was asked how many days; he worked on
NREGA project in a year. The average persondays was 46.36 in the district Hoshiarpur
in the year 2008-09. The average persondays in district Sirmaur and Sirsa was 30.40 in
the years 2008-09. (See the table 4.82 & graph)
Table 4.82
Person days completed by the selected workers
(Years)
2006-07 2007-08 2008-09
Districts
No Avg .Persondays
No Avg.
Persondays
No Avg.
Persondays
1 Sirmaur 53 37.75 46 27.97
54 30.40
2 Hoshiarpur 52 48.55 56 54.66 60 46.36
3 Sirsa 26 33.61 43 34.88 61 30.34
Source: Field survey
Persondays completed by the selected workers
0102030405060
Avg.
Persondays
2006-07 2007-08 2008-09
Districts
%Sirmaur
Hoshiarpur
Sirsa
Impact on Income of the Workers
In this survey impact of NREGA on the income of workers was also assessed. About 59
percent of the total workers reported considerable increase in their income due to
NREGA. Infact more then 82 percent of the workers from district Sirsa reported
considerable increase in their income. Only about 16 percent of the total workers in the
selected districts reported no increase in their income. (See table 4.83)
Table 4.83
Impact on Income of the Workers
Sr. No
Impact of Income of
the Workers
Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur Total
1 Considerably Increased
66 (82.50%)
40 (50%) 35 (43.75%0 141 (58.75%)
2 Increased Somewhat 14 (17.50%)
22 (27.50%)
24 (30%) 60 (25%)
3 Not increased & remain same
0 18 (22.50%)
21 (26.25%0 39 (16.25%)
4 Decreased 0 0 0 0 Total 80 (100%) 80 (100%) 80 (100%) 240 (100%) Source: Field survey
Other Household Members also got Employment
More than 47 percent workers reported that other members of their households also got
employment in NREGA projects. In district Sirsa more than 73 percent workers reported
that other members of their household also got employment. (See table 4.84)
Table 4.84
Other Household Members also got Employment
Sr. No
Variable
Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur Total
1 Yes 59 (73.75%) 25 (31.25%) 29 (36.25%) 113 (47.08%)
2 No 21 (26.25%) 55 (68.75%) 51 (63.75%) 127 (52.92%)
Total 80 (100%) 80 (100%) 80 (100%) 240 (100%) Source: Field survey
Children attending School
It has been reported that children of nearly 62 percent of the workers are attending
school. In district Sirmaur children of more than 76 percent of workers were attending
the school. . (See table 4.85)
Table 4.85
Children attending School
Sr. No
Variable
Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur Total
1 Yes 48 (60%) 61 (76.25%) 39 (48.75%) 148 (62.67%)
2 No 32 (40%) 19 (23.75%) 41 (51.25%) 92 (38.33%) Total 80 (100%) 80 (100%) 80 (100%) 240 (100%) Source: Field survey
Impact of NREGA on Children Education
Our assessment with regard to the impact of NREGA on the education of children of
workers revealed that the numbers of dropouts from the schools has decreased. Most
workers are now sending their children to schools, and even for higher studies. However
about 22 percent of the workers reported that NREGA has no impact on the education of
their children. (See table 4.86)
Table 4.86
Impact of NREGA on Children Education
Sr. Impact of NREGA on Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur Total
No Children Education
1 No dropout of Children 26 (32.50%)
20 (25%) 28 (35%) 74 (30.83%)
2 Change in decision for higher Education option
52 (65%) 36 (45%) 24 (30%) 112 (46.67%)
3 No change 2 (2.50%) 24 (30%) 28 (35%) 54 (22.50%)
Total 80 (100%) 80 (100%) 80 (100%) 240 (100%) Source: Field survey
Impact on Expenditure on Food Item
More than 77 percent of workers reported that their expenditure on food item has
increased. In fact 97.50 percent of workers of district Sirsa reported increased
expenditure on food items. About one-third of the selected workers of district Sirmaur
reported that food expenditure remains the same. (See table 4.87)
Table 4.87
Impact on Expenditure on Food Item
Sr. No
Variable
Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur Total
1 Increased 78 (97.50%)
54 (67.50%) 53 (66.25%) 185 (77.08%)
2 Decreased 0 0 2 (2.25%) 2 (0.83%) 3 Remained Same 2 (2.50%) 26 (32.50%) 25 (31.25%) 53
(22.08%) Total 80 (100%) 80 (100%) 80 (100%) 240 (100%) Source: Field survey
Impact on Non-food Item
It has been reported by more then 65 percent of the total selected workers that their
expenditure on Non-food item has also increased. Only about one-third of the total
sample worker reported that expenditure remains the same and NREGA has no impact.
(See table 4.88)
Table 4.88
Impact on Non-food Item
Sr. No
Variable
Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur Total
1 Increased 64 (80%) 50 (62.50%) 44 (55%) 158 (65.83%)
2 Decreased 0 0 0 0
3 Remained Same 16 (20%) 30 (37.50%) 36 (45.50%) 82 (34.17) Total 80 (100%) 80 (100%) 80 (100%) 240 (100%) Source: Field survey
Benefits according to workers
Workers were asked to state the benefits from the NREGS. Following were the main
benefits reported by the workers.
� Improvement in socio economic living condition of the workers.
� Land improvements and Soil conservation activities helping agricultural activities.
� Increase in irrigation facilities & Agriculture Production.
� Employment generation with in the village.
� Sure Payment against workdays.
� Women are getting job at their door step.(for district wise details see table 4.88)
Table 4.89
Benefits from NREGS according to the workers
Sr.No
Benefits
SIRSA
SIRMAUR
HOSHIARPUR
1 Improvement in socio economic
living condition of the workers
48
(60.00)
40
(50.00)
44
(55.00)
2 land improvements and Soil
conservation activities helping
agricultural activities
32
(40.00)
20
(25.00)
24
(30.00)
3 Increase in irrigation facilities &
Agriculture Production
20
(25.00)
32
(40.00)
20
(25.00)
4 Employment generation with in
the village.
56
(70.00)
48
(60.00)
32
(40.00)
5 Increased water Ability due to water
Harvesting
16 (20.00) 24 (30.00) 8
(10.0)
6 Work is near the home & with in village
60 (75.00) 48
(60.00)
44
(55.00)
7 Sure Payment against workdays
40 (50.00) 32
(40.00)
36
(45.00)
8 Renovation of Ponds
56 (70.00) 16
(20.00)
32
(40.00)
9 Women are getting job at their door step 48
60.00
8
10.00
16
20.00
Source: Field survey
Problems relating to NREGS
Workers reported the following problems in relations to their work
experience.
� Guaranteed 100 Mandays are less
� Delay in payments of wages.
� Wages are less &work is more.
� Work allotment is more
� Lack of Basic Facilities at work site.
� Lack of awareness about of 100 days guarantee of wage employment.
� Wages are less as compared to market rate.(For district wise detail see
table 4.90)
Table 4.90
Problems relating to NREGS according to Workers
Sr. No. Problems Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
1 Guaranteed 100 Mandays are
less.
40
(50.00)
40
(32.00)
45
(36.00)
2 Delay in payments of wages. 48
(60.00)
24
(30.00)
32
(40.00)
3 Wages are less & work is
more.
40
(50.00)
24
(30.00)
16
(20.00)
4 Work allotment is more 64
(80.00)
16
(20.00)
20
(25.00)
5 Irregular work (break in
work).
32
(40.00)
24
(30.00)
40
(50.00)
6 Lack of Basic Facilities at
work site.
40
(50.00)
24
(30.00)
20
(16.00)
7 Lack of awareness about of
100 days guarantee of wage
employment.
48
(60.00)
40
(50.00)
40
(50.00)
8 Wages are less as compared
to market rate.
8
(10.00)
4
(5.00)
48
(60.00)
9 Not aware about
unemployment allowance
56
(70.00)
48
(60.00)
40
(50.00) Source: Field survey
Suggestions by the workers
� Provide regular and more than 100 days work
� Mate should be trained for measurement
� Wages should be given Daily or Weekly basis
� Work Measurement by J.E. should be in time.
� Regular staff for NREGA should be provided.
� Wages should be increased.
� Muster roll sheet should be at work site.
� Awareness camp should be organized at village level.
� For detail see table 4.91
Table 4.91
Suggestions
Sr.No. Suggestions Sirsa Sirmour Hoshiarpur
1 Provide regular and more than
100 days work
48
60.00
40
50.00
48
60.00
2 Wages payment should be
through Post Office.
8
10.00
32
40.00
24
30.00
3 Mate should be trained for
measurement
24
30.00
16
20.00
20
25.00
4 Wages should be given Daily or
Weekly
28
35.00
16
20.00
20
25.00
5 Work Measurement by J.E.
should be on time.
40
50.00
24
30.00
48
60.00
6 Regular staff for NREGA should
be provided.
32
40.00
40
50.00
32
40.00
7 Muster roll sheet should be at
work site.
48
60.00
40
50.00
48
60.00
8 Wages should be increased. 32
40.00
24
30.00
40
50.00
9 Awareness camp should be
organized at village level.
48
60.00
40
50.00
48
60.00
10 Work site Facilities should be
provided by G.P. at the site.
40
50.00
32
40.00
48
60.00
Source: Field survey
4 Non- Workers Assessment on NREGS
One of the most important objectives of NREGA is to create durable assets for
the benefits of all residents living in the areas. The works on soil and water
conservation give rise to not only conservation of water and soils but also to raise
agricultural productivity. The works on digging of ponds not only increase the
water holding capacity of ponds but also provide opportunity to start fishing in
there ponds. Similarly works on rural connectivity open many opportunities for
the people to start livelihood activities on a commercial basis. Due to all these
reason, it becomes necessary to study the overall impact of NREGA not only on
workers but also on the community as a whole. Attempts therefore made to seek
the views of workers as well as non-worker on the success and failure of
NREGA. For this purpose, 120 non-worker or residents of the village Panchayat
were interviewed and their views about impact of NREGA on the lives of people
have been sought. The findings of the survey are provided below.
Socio- Economic Background of Respondents
A total of 120 non-workers, 40 from each district, and their views on various
aspect of NREGA were recorded on a well structured questionnaire. In addition
to that, their involvement in work selection, awareness about social audit
committee and RTI act, etc has also assessed. The suggestions for improvement
of the scheme were also sought from the respondent. To make the sample truly
representative of the population, respondents were drawn from all sections of
society. The brief outline of the socio economic background of these respondents
provided below.
Age: - More than three-fourth respondents in the districts of Sirsa and Sirmaur
and 50 percent in Hoshiarpur were in the age group of 25-50 years. It shows that
majority of non-worker respondents in all three districts were in the middle age
group, which is known to be most active group in village development activities.
Education: - About half of the respondents were educated from middle to 10
plus 2 levels. More than one-fifth respondents in districts of Sirsa and Hoshiarpur
were educated up to graduation and above. Therefore, we can say that
respondents are well educated.
Sex: - one-fourth of the respondent in district Sirmaur and one-fifth each in
districts of Sirsa and Hoshiarpur were women, thus the sample had a fair
representation of women
Caste: - More than 17 percent respondent in district Sirsa and Sirmaur and 15
percent of Hoshiarpur districts belonged to scheduled castes category.
Occupation: - More than 62 percent respondent of district Sirmaur, 55 percent of
Sirsa and more than 57 percent of district Hoshiarpur were engaged in
agriculture.
Table 4.92
Respondent Background States
Background
Respondent
Sirsa
Sirmaur
Hoshiarpur
Age % % %
S.No
i) ≥25 4(10) 3 (7.5) 0(0.00)
ii) 25-50 31(77.5) 30 (75.00) 20(50.00)
iii) 50+ 5 (12.5) 7 (17.5) 20(50.00)
iv) Total 40 (100) 40(100.00) 40(100.00)
Education
v) Illiterate 4 (10.00) 5(12.5) 2(5.00)
vi) Up to middle 8 (10.00) 10 (25.00) 5(12.5)
vii) Middle to 10+2 24(60.00) 19-(47.5) 24(60.00)
viii) Graduation or any other 4(10.00) 6(15.00) 9(22.5)
ix) Total 40(100.00) 40(100.00) 40(100.00)
Sex
x) Male 40(100.00) 37(92.5) 38(95.00)
xi) Female 0(0.00) 3(7.5) 2(5.00)
xii) Total 40(0.00) 40(100.00) 40 (100.00)
caste
xiii) General 27-(67.5) 28-70 27-67.5
xiv) Sc 7(17.5) 7(17.5) 6(15.00)
xv) Bc 6(15.00) 5(12.5) 7(17.5)
xvi) Total 40(100.00) 40(100.00) 40(100.00)
Occupation
xvii) Agriculture 22(55.00) 25(62.5) 23(57.5)
xviii) Labour 8(20.00) 3(7.5) 3(7.5)
xvix) Any Other 10(25.00) 12(30.00) 14(35.00)
xx) Total 40(100.00) 40(100.00) 40(100.00)
Source: Field survey
The table 4.92 show that the sample had a fair representation of from all sections
of society and thus was a true representation of the population.
Awareness about NREGA
More than 97 percent respondents of district Sirsa, 90 percent of district Sirmaur
and 95 percent of district Hoshiarpur were aware about NREGA. The main
sources of awareness were: Panchayats, radio, television and newspapers. The
government functionaries has little role in the districts of Sirsa and Sirmaur,
where as in Hoshiarpur District more than 28 percent respondent reported that
government functionaries particularly Panchayat secretaries were also providing
information regarding NREGA to the people. (For detail see table 4.93 & 4.94)
Table 4.93
Awareness about NREGA
Source: Field survey
Table 4.94
Awareness sources (Multiple responses)
States S.No
Source
Sirsa
Sirmaur
Hoshiarpur
i) Panchayat 39-(100.0) 34-(94.44) 37-(97.37)
ii)
Radio 34-(87.18) 21-(58.33) 36-(94.74)
States S.No
Awareness Sirsa
Sirmaur
Hoshiarpur
i) Yes 39(97.5) 36(90.00) 38(95.00)
ii)
No 1(2.5) 4(10.00) 2(5.00)
Total 40(100.00) 40(100.00) 40(100.00)
iii) Television 29-(74.35) 21-(58.33) 35-(92.10)
iv) Newspaper 22-(56.41) 13-(36.11) 22-(57.89)
v) Govt
Function
1-(2.56) 0 11-(28.95)
vi) Total 39 (100.00) 36 (100.00) 38 (100.00)
Source: Field survey
Impact of NREGA according to Non-Worker
Views of the respondent with regard to the impact of NREGA on wage earners,
women, poverty, Panchayats agriculture, irrigation and connectivity were sought.
Their responses are given in the table 4.95 and discussed as under:-
Wage Earner
Non-worker feels that due to start of NREGA economic condition of the wage
earners has improved a lot and moreover they are getting job on their door step.
All the respondents of Hoshiarpur district and more than 97 percent of district
Sirsa and 80 percent of Sirmaur reported that conditions of workers have
improved as compared to their position earlier. A very few respondents in district
Sirmaur reported no-impact of NREGA on wage earners. (For detail see table
4.95)
Table 4.95
Impact of NREGA on Wage earner
States
S.No
Sirsa
Sirmaur
Hoshiarpur
i) Economic condition improved 39 (97.5) 32(80.00) 40-100
ii) Getting job near home 40(100.00) 28(70.00) 30(75.00)
iii)
No impact 0(0.00) 0(0.00) 0(0.00)
Source: Field survey
Women: - Eighty percent respondents of district Sirsa and more than 57 percent
of Hoshiarpur reported that economic conditions of women improved and women
are getting job at their door step. In district Sirmaur, not much impact on women
was reported by respondent, because only few women worked in NREGA.
Impact of NREGA on Women
Table 4.96
Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
i) Economic condition improved 32(80.00) 7(17.5) 23(57.5)
ii) Women getting job near home 32(80.00) 10(25.00) 2(5.00)
iii) Same wages as men 34(85.00) 7(17.5) 8(20.00)
iv) No impact 0(0.00) 0(0.00) 0(0.00)
Source: Field survey
Panchayats: - More than half of the respondents in district Sirmaur, about 87
percent in district Sirsa and 70 percent respondents of district Hoshiarpur
reported that workload of Panchayats has increased. About one-third respondent
of district Sirmaur and Hoshiarpur reported that due to NREGA, Panchayats
participation in development activities has increased a lot. In district Sirsa, 80
percent respondent viewed that people’s faith in Panchayats has increased.
Eighty percent respondents in district Sirsa, one-fourth in Sirmaur, and 60
percent respondents in district Hoshiarpur reported that Fund flow to Panchayats
has been regular and increased. Few respondents also reported that Panchayats
are now generating the employment.
Impact of NREGA on Panchayats
Table 4.97
Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
i)
Work load increased 35(87.5) 21(52.5) 28(20.00)
ii)
Participation in development
activity improved
3(7.5) 13(37.5) 15(37.5)
iii) Villagers faith in Panchayats
increased
32(80.00) 7(17.5) 8(20.00)
iv)
v)
Increase in fund flow 34(85.00) 10(25.00) 24(60.00)
vi) Panchayats are in generation of
employment
6(15.00) 12(30.00) 0(0.00)
vii) No impact 0(0.00) 2(5.00) 0(0.00)
Source: Field survey
Poverty: - Majority of the respondents in the three selected districts viewed that
poverty has declined among the workers. Few respondents however also
reported that it has little impact on poverty, because workers are not getting 100
days employment as envisaged in the act.
Impact of NREGA on Poverty
Table 4.98
Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
i) Poverty declined 35(0.00) 22(0.00) 24(0.00)
ii) Little impact as people aren’t
getting 100 days employment
3(0.00) 8(0.00) 2(0.00)
Source: Field survey
Interactions with Gram Sabha members in GP-Kando Bhatnol, Sirmaur
Agriculture: - NREGA impact on agriculture is of every one’s interest, therefore
it was asked from the respondents that whether NREGA has any impact on
increase in agriculture productivity and improvement in irrigation facilities. More
than 62 percent respondents of district Hoshiarpur reported no impact, only one
respondent reported improvement in irrigation facilities. About one-fifth of the
respondents of district Sirsa reported increase in agriculture production and more
than 55 percent respondents of district Sirmaur reported increase in agriculture
production. One-fourth respondents of district Sirmaur reported no impact on
agriculture.
Impact of NREGA on Agriculture
Table 4.99 Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
i) Agriculture productivity has
increased
8(87.5) 22(55.00) 14(60.00)
ii) Irrigation facilities has improved 5(12.5) 4(10.00) 1(2.5)
iii) No impact 1(2.5) 10(25.00) 25(62.5)
Source: Field survey
Connectivity: - As most of the NREGA works were done for improving the
connectivity of the villages, therefore perception of the common people regard to
the usefulness of this works was worth remaining. Sixty percent respondents in
districts of Sirsa and Sirmaur and 80 percent in Hoshiarpur district viewed that
there is an overall development of the area due to construction of pulia, bridge
and paths under NREGA.
Impact of NREGA on Connectivity
Table 4.100 Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
i) Over all development due to
construction of Puliya,roads,Path
etc.
24(60.00) 24(60.00) 32(80.00)
ii) No impact 16(40.00) 13(32.5) 5(12.5)
Source: Field survey
Environment and Sanitation: - More than 77 percent respondents of district
Sirmaur, 80 percent of Sirsa and 60 percent of district Hoshiarpur reported no
impact of NREGA on Environment and Sanitation.
Impact of NREGA on Environment & Sanitation
Table 4.101
Sirsa
Sirmaur
Hoshiarpur
i) No impact 32(80.00) 31(77.5) 24(85.00)
ii) Water conservation and reservation
work increased water available in
surrounding areas
1(2.5) 0(0.00) 1(2.5)
Source: Field survey
Horticulture
Some works for the development of horticulture was also undertaken by the
NREGA implementing agencies in the three districts under convergence with
other departments. Therefore reaction of respondents with regards to the impact
of NREGA on promotion of horticulture was also taken. Majority of the
respondents reported no change or negligible impact on horticulture. In actual
practice, there is no convergence with horticulture and other departments, which
is expected from NREGA implementing agencies.
Impact of NREGA on Horticulture
Table 4.102
Sirsa Sirmaur Hoshiarpur
i) No change 40(100.00) 27(67.5) 28(70.00)
ii) Land development activities has
benefited to marginal and small
farmers
22(55.00) 17(42.5) 18(45.00)
Source: Field survey
Benefits to Marginal and Small Farmers
NREGA activities must benefit marginal and small farmers, as they form the
major chunk of population living in rural areas, with no other alternative for their
livelihood. Respondents were asked whether or not land development activities
benefited marginal and small farmers. There is a mix response to this query, Fifty
five percent respondents in district Sirsa, more than 42 percent in Sirmaur and 45
percent in district Hoshiarpur reported that marginal and small farmers are
getting benefits from the NREGA activities.
Information on Social Audit Committee: - Respondents were asked whether
social audit committee is formed in their villages or not. Awareness is very low in
district Sirsa and also in district Hoshiarpur whereas 40 percent respondents of
district Sirmaur reported that in their villages, Social Audit Committee has been
formed. (Table 4.103)
Table 4.103
Information of Social Audit committee
Source: Field survey
Awareness about Social Audit System
Majority of the respondents of all the selected GPs of three districts was not
aware about the role of Social Audit system in the NREGA activities. (Table
4.104)
Table 4.104
Awareness about Social Audit system
Source: Field survey
Involvement in Work Selection: - As NREGA works are to be approved by
gram sabha with the involvement of common people, therefore respondents were
asked whether or not they were involved in the selection of works. Data in table
4.96 shows that 70 percent respondent in district Sirsa, 65 percent each in
Sirmaur and Hoshiarpur district reported their non-involvement in work selection.
It shows that people’s involvement in plan preparation and work selection is very
limited. Thus there is a need to create awareness among common people about
their roles and responsibilities so that their involvement in NREGA works can be
enhanced. (Table 4.105)
States Sr.No
Sirsa
Sirmaur
Hoshiarpur
i) Yes 5(12.5) 16(40.00) 7(17.5)
ii) No 35(87.5) 24(60.00) 33(82.5)
Total 40(100.00) 40(100.00) 40(100.00)
States S.No
Awareness Sirsa
Sirmaur
Hoshiarpur
i) Yes 3(7.5) 12(30.00) 12(30.00)
ii) No 37(92.50) 28(70.00) 28(70.00)
Total 40(100.00) 40(100.00) 40(100.00)
Table 4.105
Involvement in work selection
Source: Field survey
Suggestions for Strengthening NREGS
Respondents were asked how NREGS are to be strengthened in their areas.
Their responses are provided in the table 4.99. Major suggestions are:-
• Continuous work should be provided to the workers
• Awareness camps on NREGA should be organized at GP level
• Work assessment and monitoring by outside agency
• Strengthening of Social Audit System
• Wages should be paid in time to the workers
• Available funds should be displayed on board and
• Need more transparency and accountability. (For district wise response, see
table 4.106)
Table 4.106
Suggestion for strengthening of NREGA
States S.No
Sirsa
Sirmaur
Hoshiarpur
i) Yes 14(35.00) 14(35.00) 14(35.00)
ii) No 26(65.00) 26(65.00) 26(65.00)
Total 40(100.00) 40(100.00) 40(100.00)
States S.No
Suggestions Sirsa
Sirmaur
Hoshiarpur
i)
Continuous work should be
improved
30(75.00) 15(37.5) 22(55.00)
ii) Awareness camps should be
organized at GP/ village level
18(45.00) 16(40.00) 14(35.00)
iii) Increase labour component 4(10.00) 4(10.00) 5(12.5)
iv) Work assessment and monitoring by 15(37.5) 11(27.5) 18(45.00)
Source: Field survey
Problems in implementation of NREGS: - According to the Respondents
following are the main problems in the implementation of NREGS.
• Less awareness among people
• Proper work selection is not done with people’s participation and in a
transparent manner
• Irregularity in the funds reaching to GP
• Number of job card issued is less then number of people, but more people
are willing to work (especially in Hoshiarpur district)
• No work assessment by third party and
• Lack of transparency and accountability. (see table 4.107)
Table: 4.107
Problem in implementation of NREGA as per Non Worker perception
outside agency
v) Regular staff to Panchayat for
NREGA
12(30.00) 09(22.5) 08(45.00)
vi) Strengthening of Social audit system 18(45.00) 8(20.00) 12(30.00)
vii) Wages should be paid in time to
worker
09(22.5) 5(12.5) 01(2.5)
viii) Involve Gram sabha in work
selection
25(62.5) 15(37.50) 14(35.00)
ix) Need more transparency and
accountability
22(55.00) 12(30.00) 13(32.5)
x) Available funds should be displayed
on board
22(55.00) 10(25.00) 17(42.5)
States S.No
Problems
Sirsa
Sirmaur
Hoshiarpur
i)
Less awareness among people 28(70.00) 11(27.5) 15(37.5)
ii) Irregular flow of funds 14(35.00) 1.(2.5) 7(17.5)
iii) Work selection is not proper 05(7.5) 18(45.00) 08(20.00)
iv) Number of job cards is less and
more people interested to work
01(2.5) 05(12.5) 18(45.00)
v) Lack of transparency & 15(37.5) 12(30.00) 12(30.00)
Source: Field survey
Awareness about RTI
RTI is one of the major tool for enhancing the transparency and accountability.
Awareness about it must reach to the common people to achieve its objectives.
Data in table 4.101 shows that majority of the respondent in all the selected GPs
of three districts were not aware about it. (For detail see table 4. 108)
Table 4.108
Awareness about RTI
Source: Field survey
Works Undertaken under NREGA in their Villages
• Soil conservation
• Rural connectivity covering Katcha Path, Pucca Path, Puliya etc
accountability
vi) Problem with bank officials 05(12.5) 3(7.5) 0(0.00)
vii) corruption 0(2.5) 2(5.00) 2(5.00)
viii) No work assessment 05(12.5) 4(10.00) 12(30.00)
ix) No work site facility 05(12.5) 5(12.5) 08(20.00)
x) Use of machine 0 (0.00) 2(5.00) 1(2.5)
xi) Muster role not at work site 0(0.00) 2(5.00) 0(0.00)
xii)
Daily wages are less as compared
to market rate
12(30.00) 2(5.00) 0(0.00)
xiii) Less staff 09(22.5) 05(12.5) 12(30.00)
States Sr.No
Awareness Sirsa
Sirmaur
Hoshiarpur
i) Yes 14(35.00) 11(27.5) 16(40.00)
ii) No 26(65.00) 29(72.5) 24(60.00)
iii) Total 40(100.00) 40(100.00) 40(100.00)
• Storage tank for drinking water
• Irrigation tank and Kuhl construction
• Protection wall at Schools
• Renovation of Pond. (For district wise response, see table 4.109)
Table 4.109
Works Undertaken under NREGA as per non-worker
Source: Field survey
Chapter V
Remedial Action, Recommendations & Future Interventions
During the course of survey, various stakeholders were contacted and
interviewed on the implementation of the NREGS. Their views on the problems,
confronted by the Panchayats, workers, non-workers, and government
functionaries were taken and suggestions to improve the functioning of the
programmes were also sought. This chapter discusses the remedial action,
States Sr.No
Work undertaken in the villages
of the respondents Sirsa
Sirmaur
Hoshiarpur
i)
Storage tank for drinking
water/Bawan construction
27(67.5) 0(0.00) 0(0.00)
ii) Irrigation tank 2(55.00) 0(0.00) 2-5.00)
iii) Kuhl construction 10(25.00) 0(0.00) 0(0.00)
iv) Foot bridges construction 7(17.5) 0(0.00) 0(0.00)
v) Protection wall at school 23(57.5) 0(0.00) 0(0.00)
vi) Soil conservation 7(17.5) 16(40.00) 18(45.00)
vii) Katcha ,Pucca, path under rural
connectivity
6(15.00) 10(25.00) 36(90.00)
viii) Conversion of shamlat land into green
belt and other land leveling work
22(55.00) 0(0.00) 10(25.00)
ix) Construction of playground 0(0.00) 3(7.5) 0(0.00)
x) Renovation of pond 0(0.00) 28(70.00) 12(30.00)
recommendations and future interventions, required for the better implementation
of the programme. These are listed below:
Gram Panchayats
Panchayats being the main implementing agency of NREGA programme their
views about NREGA were very important for the research team. The team
therefore interacted with twenty-four gram Panchayats in the three selected
districts. They have suggested the following remedial actions.
Suggestions by Gram Panchayats
Training
Though training was provided to the elected Panchayat members and also to
some other Gram sabha members, yet there are still some stakeholders like
social audit committee member, grievance committee members ,vigilance
monitoring committee members, government functionaries like Panchayats
secretaries, Sahayaks and Gram rozgar sewak who need to be provided proper
training about NREGA scheme. Training programmes are to be organized at
appropriate level i.e. District, block and even at Panchayats level.
Training content
Selected Panchayats suggested following training content
• Convergence of works
• NREGA Act, guidelines
• Technical support in plan preparation
• Social Auditing and RTI Act
Involvement of other departments
Panchayats suggested that other departments like agriculture, irrigation,
horticulture, forest, P.W.D education and health should also be involved in
NREGA implementation so that proper convergence with their schemes can be
done.
• Role of Panchayats smitis and Zila parishads in NREGA implementation
can be enhanced by delegation certain powers and responsibilities to them.
• There is a need for involvement of common people in the preparation of
annual plan so that real needs of the people are addressed.
• Panchayat need technical support from some agency for making projects,
which can be funded through NREGS.
• Need for making committees like SAC, vigilance and monitoring.
• Flow of Funds to GPs should be regular, and not at the fag end of the year
for the timely utilization of funds.
• Need for more trained staff, particularly technical staff.
• Involvement of Contractor and use of machinery should be stopped
completely.
• Mate should be appointed from within the workers with rotation and he
should be provided all the requisite equipments like measuring tape, measuring
poles, measuring sheets, calculators etc.
• Assets created under NREGS should be maintained.
• Panchayats should be educated about various activities which can be
covered under NREGS.
Suggestions by the workers:
In all the selected GPs, 240 works were interviewed who suggested the
followings.
� Workers should be made aware about the guarantee of wage employment
and the provision of unemployment allowances
� Facilities at worksite should be provided.
� Daily wages should be enhanced as per market rate.
� Provide regular and more than 100 days work
� Mate should be trained for measurement
� Wages should be given Daily or Weekly
� Work Measurement by J.E. should be on time.
� Regular staff for NREGA should be provided.
� Muster roll sheet should be at work site.
� Awareness camp should be organized at village level.
� Workers should be involved in work selection.
Assessment by Non workers
In all the selected GPs, 120 non workers were interviewed to seek their opinion
and suggestions for better implementation of the programme they suggested the
followings:
� Continuous work should be provided to the workers
� Awareness camps on NREGA should be organized at GP level
� Work assessment and monitoring should be done by outside agency
� Strengthening of Social Audit System
� Wages should be paid in time to the workers
� Available funds should be displaced on board and
� Need more transparency and accountability.
Recommendations
IN view of above suggestions put forward by various stake holders, following
recommendations are suggested
• To ensure people participation in NREGA programmes, selection of works
should be done through Gram Sabha Meetings..
• Sufficient staff should be recruited and trained for NREGS.
• Flow of funds should be made regular i.e.Panchayts should get money in
each quarter.
• Monitoring and evaluation of the work particularity during the on-going stage.
• Each district should provide facilities at worksite as per norms of NREGA.
For the proper convergence of NREGS with the scheme of other departments, the
involvement of concerned departments with the NREGA programmes must be
ensured.
Annexure- II
Schedule-II
Worker Schedule
Name of District_________________ Name of Block__________________
Name of GP____________________ Name of Village_______________________
1. Name of Worker (Respondent)_______________________________
2. Year in which person worked________________________________
3. Types of work________________________________________
4. Age_______________________________________________
5. Education Qualification: _____________________________________
6. Annual Income_________________________________
Land owned - 1
Landless - 2
If land owned, how much land you have under following:-
Agricultural Land_____________________
Non-agricultural Land_________________
7. Sex
Male-1, Female-2
8. Caste
General-1; SC-2; ST-3; OBC-4
9. No. of Family Members________________________
10. Worker category
• Unskilled-1
• Semi-skilled-2
• Skilled-3
Any comment
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Process of Getting Job Card.
1. Had you apply for registration to GP in written?
• Yes 1
• No 2
2. From where you got Information?
Yes-1 No- 2
• Panchayat
• Media-radio
• Media-TV
• Media-newspaper
• Govt. Functionaries
• Any other (specify)_____________
3. Any expenses on job card preparation.
• Yes 1
• No 2
If yes, whom you paid and for what?
1
2.
Amount paid______________
For what________________________________________________________________
4. Whether photo of beneficiary exist on job card?
• Yes, seen- 1
• Yes, not seen- 2
• No- 3
(Note: see the job card, if not with worker, where or with whom the card use comment)
______________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
5. Whether any written / verbal application submitted for employment to
Gram Panchayat?
Yes -1 No-2
• Written
• Verbal
6. Whether panchayat issued dated receipt of written application (for work).
• Yes 1
• No 2
7. After how many days of written/verbal application you got employment.
• Less than 15 days 1
• 15-30 days 2
• 30+ 3
8. For how many days you have worked under NREGA in the following year?
9. Whether got unemployment allowance, if demanded the work and it was not provided?
2006-07 2007-08 2008-09
• Yes 1
• No 2
• NA (if 10 days work provided) 3
10. After how many days wages has been disbursed.
• Less then week 1
• Within fortnight 2
• Within a month 3
11. Wages are disbursed through.
• Post office 1
• B 2
• Any other source 3
12. Have you spent any money while opening account?
• Yes 1
• No 2
If yes, how much and for what, specify:
__________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
13. How far away the bank from your residence?
______________________________________________________________________________
14. Describe the role of Panchayat in planning and implementation of NREGA works. (Information
from worker):
1.______________________________________________________________
2.______________________________________________________________
3.______________________________________________________________
4.______________________________________________________________
5.______________________________________________________________
15. Whether work site is having the following given facilities:
Yes-1 No-2
• Crèche
• Drinking water
• Shades
• Group Insurance
• Any other (specify)________________
16. Do you have awareness about the accidental benefits under NREGA?
• Yes 1
• No 2
17. Are you getting leave in a week?
• Yes 1
• No 2
18. Are you satisfy with the work measurement?
• Yes 1
• No 2
If no, why (specify)
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
19. Whether you have a regular mate?
• Yes 1
• No 2
20. Is the mate among from the workers?
• Yes 1
• No 2
• NA 3
If yes, is any rotation system is there?
• Yes 1
• No 2
• NA 3
21. Whether you have worked more than 5 Kms away from your residence?
• Yes 1
• No 2
If yes, have you got any extra wages?
• Yes 1
• No 2
22. Whether you have worked in line departments works?
• Yes 1
• No 2
Socio-Economic/Psychological Status of worker after getting work under NREGA.
Tentative amount got from NREGA earnings in the last year
____________________________
1. Income
• Considerably increased 1
• Increased somewhat 2
• Not increased & remains same 3
• Decreased 4
2. Other household members also get employment
• Yes 1
• No 2
3. Are Children attending school in your family?
• Yes 1
• No 2
If yes, what is the impact of NREGA on their education?
• No drop out of children- 1
• Change in decision for opting Higher Education- 2
• No change- 3
4. Impact on Expenditure on food items.
• Increase 1
• Decrease 2
• Remain same 3
5. Impact on Expenditure on non-food items such as clothing, housing etc.
• Increased 1
• Decreased 2
• Remain same 3
6. Distribution of Expenditure from NREGA earnings (last year)
Sr.No. Items Amount Spent (In %)
1 Food and other consumption items
2 Household Durables
3 Health
4 Education
5 Loan Repayment
6 Social Ceremony
7 Land / House
8 Animal
9 Productive Assets
10 Others
Total
7. How you think transparency and accountability are there in NREGA work? (Multiple response)
Yes-1 No-2 Don’t Know-3
• Wages are paid regularly and through Bank
• Less corruption as compare to earlier scheme
• No corruption at all
• Corruption is the same
8. What is your priority of work and why?
• NREGA Works
• Other Works
Why (specify) ___________________________________________________________________
9. Do you think due to NREGA, the condition of the poor in the village have improved.
• Yes 1
• No 2
10. Describe the main benefits occurring in your village due to NREGA activities.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
11. What are the main problems regarding NREGA?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
12. How these problems can be solved?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
13. Whether you are involved in the work selection under NREGA?
• Yes 1
• No 2
14. Have you ever attended Gram Sabha, in which agenda on NREGA has been discussed.
• Yes 1
• No 2
Annexure- I
Schedule- I
Gram Panchayat Schedule
1. State Name____________________ District
Name___________________
2. Block Name___________________ GP
Name_______________________
3. Number of the Village____________________ Distance of GP from Block
Hq._____
4. Name of Main Respondent__________________________
5. Designation of Respondent
Panch-1; Sarpanch-2; Any other-3
6. Sex of Respondent
Male- 1 Female-2
7. Education Qualification of Respondent____________________
8. Caste of Respondent
General-1; SC-2; ST-3; OBC-4
8. Occupation
• Farmer 1
• Businessman 2
• Govt. Employees 3
• Any Other (Specify) 4
9. Total Population of GP__________________
• BPL Households __________________
• SCs Households __________________
• General Households________________
• Backward Castes___________________
10. Fill up the Following information about NREGA
Sr.no Particulars 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09
1 Total Job card Issued
2 Employment provided
to Households
A Total
B SCs
C STs
D Women
E Others
3 Persondays per
Household
4 Total availability of
Funds
5 Expenditure
6 Percentage of Exp. To
total available funds
7 Total works taken up
8 Works (Completed)
9 Works (on Going)
11. Works undertaken in NREGA (Mention Total Works under Assigned
Categories):-
Sr.No Particulars 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09
1 Drought Proofing
Including afforestation
through plantation
2 Irrigation canal including
Micro & Minor Irrigation
Works
3 Land Development
4 Rural Connectivity
5 Water Bodies
(Construction/Renovation)
12. NREGA Works undertaken on the land of below given categories (Mention No. of
Households):-
Sr.No Particulars 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09
Drought Proofing
Including afforestation
through plantation
Irrigation canal including
Micro & Minor Irrigation
Works
Land Development
Rural Connectivity
Water Bodies
(Construction/Renovation)
1
SCs
Total
Drought Proofing
Including afforestation
through plantation
Irrigation canal including
Micro & Minor Irrigation
Works
Land Development
Rural Connectivity
Water Bodies
(Construction/Renovation)
2 STs
Total
Drought Proofing
Including afforestation
through plantation
Irrigation canal including
Micro & Minor Irrigation
Works
Land Development
Rural Connectivity
Water Bodies
(Construction/Renovation)
3 BPL
Total
13. Whether capacity Building activities on key provisions and procedures of the act are
provided to the followings:- Yes-1 Total no. of No. of Years*
Members Members
Attended
• Members of GPs
• Gram Sabha Members
• Social Audit Committee Members
• Grievance Committee Members
• Government functionaries works at GP
Level
• Vigilance monitoring committee members.
Code- *2005-06(1) 2006-07(2) 2007-08(3)
2008-09(4)
14. What were the main contents of training programme?
Yes-1 No-2
• NREGA guidelines
• NREGA Act
• Social Auditing
• RTI
• Plan Preparation
• Any
Other
15. Do you or other members of community need further training?
• Yes- 1
• No- 2
16. On which aspects of NREGA, training should to be provided to the
members/stakeholders.
Yes-1 No-2
Specify:
• Convergence of the Works
• Technical Support in Plan Preparation
• NREGA Guidelines with Rules
• Any
Others
17. Whether Block Orientation Conventions were attended by Sarpanch / Ward members
• Yes- 1
• No- 2
• Not held- 3
18. Whether Gram Sabha held on NREGA activities?
• Yes- 1
• No- 2
19. How many People/Households attended the meeting (see the
record?)
20. Whether Panchayat is aware about Measurement Book (MB)?
• Yes- 1
• No- 2
Specify:
If yes, whether concerned JE maintained it?
• Yes- 1
• No- 2
21. Whether your Panchayat give consolidated work to the worker/households, so that
they can work according to their own time?
• Yes- 1
• No- 2
22. Description of the impact of NREGA in panchayat on the following aspects:
• Wage earners/workers
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
___________________________
• PRIs
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
___________________________
• Others village households (beneficiaries).
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
___________________________
• Agriculture productivity through provision of Irrigation
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________
• Market access provided through Connectivity.
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
___________________________
• Promotion of Animal Husbandry activities.
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
___________________________
• Sanitation and Environment through forestation
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
___________________________
• Promotion of fishery activities.
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________
• Empowerment of women.
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________
• Promotion of industrial activities (if any).
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________
23. What is the impact of NREGA on the worker migration?
• In migration of the workers
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
___________________________
• Out migration of the workers
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
___________________________
24. What is the role of other departments in NREGA i.e. whether there is any
convergence with other departmental scheme?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
____________________________________
25. What is the role of panchayat samitis and Zila Parishad in implementation of NREGA
activities in their area?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
___________________________
26. Whether GP prepared five year perspective plan under NREGA?
• Yes- 1
• No- 2
If yes; mention the main activities/works to be undertaken with financial estimates.
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________
27. Whether GP, formed social audit committee?
• Yes- 1
• No- 2
If yes, what is the role of social audit committee in your GP?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________
28. Whether people are aware about the RTI act?
• Yes- 1
• No- 2
29. Describe the problems in implementation of NREGA
1._____________________________________________________________________
______
2._____________________________________________________________________
______
3._____________________________________________________________________
______
4._____________________________________________________________________
______
5._____________________________________________________________________
______
6._____________________________________________________________________
______
7._____________________________________________________________________
______
30. How these problems can be mitigated/ solved?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________
31. Is Gram Rojgar Sewak available for each GP/Group of GP?
• Yes- 1
• No- 2
Specify the number of GPs in the
group_____________________________________________
32. Whether Gram Rojgar Sewak is capable to do his job?
• Yes- 1
• No- 2
If No why? (Unskilled, untrained, less qualified, more than one GP)
_______________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________
33. Is there a technical assistant (J.E) for a group of Gram Panchayat to supervise or
measure the activities?
• Yes- 1
• No- 2
34. How you think transparency and accountability are there in NREGA work? (Multiple
response):
Yes-1 No-2 Don’t
Know-3
• Wages are paid regularly and through
Bank
• Less corruption as compare to earlier
scheme
• No corruption at all
• Corruption is the same
• Any other
comment
35. Describe the role of Panchayat in Planning and implementation of NREGA.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
36. Describe the Impact of NREGA on your Panchayat as a whole.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
37. Whether available and seen the following record register?
Sr.No. Particulars Available
Yes-1, No-2
Seen at time of
survey
Yes-1 , No-2
Record updated
Yes-1, No-2
1 Issuing the
Muster roll
Register
2 Muster roll
register go by
Panchayat
Specify:
3 Other executive
agencies Muster
roll Register
4 Register of job
card application
5 Job card
Registration
6 Employment
Register
7 Works Register
8 Property Register
9 Grievance
Register
10 Issue of monthly
grant and
Utilization
certificate
Evaluation
Register
38. Whether any work has been provided to handicapped person?
• Yes- 1
• No- 2
If yes, what type of works?
_____________________________________________________________________
_________
39. Whether Social Audit Forum organize meeting in GP (through people
participation)?
• Yes- 1
• No- 2
If yes, specify the issues?
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
__________________
40. Whether GP has five technically approved works for execution in advance?
• Yes- 1
• No- 2
41. Whether works suggested by Panchayat has been changed at Senior Level?
• Yes- 1
• No- 2
If yes, who change it?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________
42. Whether fund flow to GP is regular and smooth?
• Yes- 1
• No- 2
If no, what is the reason?
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
__________________
Annexure- III
Schedule- III
Non-Worker / In-Direct Beneficiaries Schedule
1. State________________________ 2. District___________________
3. Block_________________________ 4.Gram Panchayat______________
5. Village.________________________
6. Name of Respondent_____________________________
7. Age__________
8. Education Qualification: ____________________________
9. Sex
Male-1, Female-2
10. Caste
General-1; SC-2; ST-3; OBC-4
11. Occupation___________________________
12. Do you know about NREGA Act?
• Yes-1
• No- 2
If yes, from where you got information?
Yes-1 No-2
• Panchayat
• Media-radio
• Media-TV
• Media-newspaper
• Govt. Functionaries
• Any Other(Specify)______________________
13. Kindly describe the impact of NREGA in your
village/panchayat on following (Respondent viewpoints):
• Wage Earners.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
• Women
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
• Panchayat
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
• Poverty.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
• Agriculture & Irrigation.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
• Connectivity.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
• Environment & Sanitation.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
• Promotion of Horticulture, Animal husbandry and Fisheries.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
• Land development.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
14. Is there any social audit committee in your village?
• Yes-1
• No- 2
15. Are you aware about Social Audit system?
• Yes-1
• No- 2
16. Do you have any involvement in the works selection?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
17. How NREGA activities can be further strengthened?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
18. What are the main problems in its implementation and how these can be solved?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
19. Are you aware about RTI act?
• Yes-1
• No- 2
20. Do you know how much funds, your panchayat gots in the following years under NREGA.
• Yes-1
• No-2
If yes, please specify the following:
• 2006-07_________________ (In Rs.)
• 2007-08_________________ (In Rs.)
• 2008-09_________________ (In Rs.)
21. What type of works has been undertaken under NREGA in your Village area/locality?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
22. How you think transparency and accountability are there in NREGA work? (Multiple
response)
Yes-1 No-2 Don’t Know-3
• Wages are paid regularly and through Bank
• Less corruption as compare to earlier scheme
• No corruption at all
• Corruption is the same