Study for Quick Appraisal of NREGA In A.P.

1. Study for Quick Appraisal of NREGA In A.P. Study Sponsored by MORD, GOI and UNDP 08-04-2009 Administrative Staff College of India Bella Vista, Hyderabad-500 082

2. Study Objective • To quickly appraise the progress and problems in the implementation of NREGA in A.P. • The focus of the study has been on understanding the impact of NREGA on beneficiary families and communities at large. • Further, the study has been oriented towards identifying opportunities for strengthening the programme management rather than pin-pointing weaknesses. ASCI

3. Approach & Methodology • Three districts, Guntur (phase-II); Anantapur and Adilabad (both phase-I) were selected for their diversity and distinctiveness. • Each of the districts is also representative of its geographical region within the state. • The methodology was qualitative combining interviews with semi structured questionnaires, focus group discussions and development of case lets. 10 beneficiaries and 5 non-beneficiaries were sampled by judgment in each village. ASCI

4. Table 3.1 Sample Plan for NREGA Appraisal District Mandal/ Block Gram Panchayat- Village Adilabad (Phase-I) Narnoor Babjhari, H. Kothapalli, Gunjal and Mahagam Bela Chaprala, Dhoptala, Telengaraoguda and Manyarpur Guntur (Phase-II) Bellamkonda Chandrajupalem,Venkatayapa-lem, Nandirajupalem and Papayapalem Krosur Gadavaripalem,Gudipadu, Peesapadu and Garikapadu Anantapur (Phase-I) Atmakur P. Yaleru, Goridindla, P. Kothapalli And Pampanur Singanamalla Peravali, Lolur, Akuledu and Bandameedapalli Sample Plan for the Study ASCI

5. Study Team • A team of ten Field Investigators and four Research Associates with post graduate academic background in social sciences participated. • Their deployment in the field was preceded by self study as well as contact based orientation sessions to update their knowledge of NREGA, interviewing and group discussion techniques. • Each field investigator was a non-participant observer of NREGA works in the selected village for a minimum of three days and nights. ASCI

6. Data Analysis and Findings • Balanced participation of all social groups with members of SC and STs making up nearly 55% of the beneficiaries across the three districts. • Most beneficiaries were illiterate • Except Guntur district where the women wage seekers preferred farm work, in the other two districts, they accounted for more than 30% of the active wage seekers. • The level of awareness about NREGA was high among 70% of the beneficiaries. ASCI

7. Data Analysis and Findings (contd.) ASCI

8. Data Analysis and Findings (contd.) • More than 50% of the families had two members-wife and husband, opting for work. • The average waiting time for employment was less than 15 days for 90% of the beneficiaries. • 50% of the beneficiaries had to wait more than 15 days for receipt of wage payment. • Nearly 90% of the beneficiaries expressed satisfaction with the NREGA work environment and two thirds were willing to be reemployed. ASCI

9. Data Analysis and Findings (contd.) • Anantapur district reported improvement in ground water as the greatest community benefit. • Guntur district valued assets that were created under NREGA – roads, field channels etc. • In Adilabad district, NREGA has helped improve the functioning of Gram Panchayats. • Across all the three districts, improved agricultural productivity was reported as the greatest community benefit besides economic and social empowerment of women. ASCI

10. Data Analysis and Findings (contd.) • At the level of beneficiary families, access to more and better quality of food has been evident. • Within and across the districts, migration has been contained with concomitant benefits like stronger family bonds and children’s education. • SHGs have benefited with better recoveries. • Most beneficiaries believe that the financial discipline, frequency and quality of meetings and vertical linkages within the PRIs have improved. ASCI

11. Programme Shortcomings • A strong target orientation towards NREGA. • The participation of Gram Panchayats and intermediate PRIs remains marginal. • Within the official machinery, there is lack of ownership of the programme at district level. • Unemployment allowance is out of reckoning. • A sense of skepticism about the sustainability of the shelf of projects in the longer term. • Field Assistant remains the weakest link. ASCI

12. Innovations • Unprecedented financial inclusion of the rural poor as wage payments are routed through I.P. • Schematic convergence with NHM, MIP, Housing, ITDAs and DRDAs. • A state of the art MIS with a suite of options to access and obtain data from state to village level. • Media publicity leading to more transparency. • Development of assigned lands has contributed to increased cultivable farm land. ASCI

13. Recommendations – The 7 ‘S’ Way • Strategy – Need to tone down the target orientation among project personnel. A PIN like mechanism at the state level needed urgently to enrich the role of PRIs in identifying projects. • Structure – The dual roles for DPCO (DC-PD) and PO at block level be dispensed with. Terms of engagement of project personnel need review. • Systems – The postal system at the branch level is not geared to deliver at present. While strengthening it, step up the smart card scheme. ASCI

14. Recommendations (contd.) • Style – Need for a project focused leadership style that is more participatory. • Skills – Capacity building of APOs, TAs and FAs with focus on HRM and people processes. • Staff – The staffing pattern at the level of FAs and TAs leaves scope for rationalisation. • Shared Values – A set of core values should guide a programme like NREGA which is viewed as the ‘Mother of all rural development projects’. ASCI

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