Presentation on key issues in implementation framework of NREGA in AP

1. Presentation on key issues in implementation framework of NREGA in AP By K. S. GOPAL Centre for Environment Concerns 3-4-142/6, Barkatpura Hyderabad – 500 027. Tel. 040 - 27564959; 27563017 E-mail:cechyd@eth.net

2. Key Issues in NREGA • We welcome the landmark legislation of the NREGA which has potential to provide income security, poverty reduction and develop the backward rural areas • To succeed in intent and potential of NREGA the following key aspects merit attention to plan and implement the NREGA • Corruption • Wages • Works • Monitoring • Human Capacity

3. Corruption Corruption begins with “profitable works” chosen by “interested parties” through costs estimation ‘negotiated’ with the Panchayat Raj Engineer Solution 1. Develop software to generate computer aided cost estimates/templates for most works with user friendly query and inputs provided by the Gram Panchayat 2. Incorporate seasonality in templates for automatic revision of estimates depending on the time when work is taken up 3. Each works be split into sub works with specific cost estimates and measurement to enable timely payments. 4. The software must provide estimates on the number of days of work for men and women labour, skilled persons, service providing attendants and for each material.

4. Corruption (contd)… 5. Display the Input & Output on estimates with technical details at village NREGA transparency website wall. 6. Develop a cadre of young trained barefoot engineers for weekly check measurement, help the community and ensure the quality of the works. Only final measurement recording is by government engineer or outsourced to certified engineers 7. In case wage payment is cash to wage labour, use hand held biometric thumb impression reader and record date and time of payment. Upload the data to mainframe for storage and monitor deviations/delays. Payments to people on a certain date & time shows transparency. 8. The above steps will deterrent contractors and break the nexus with engineers and address corruption

5. Wages 1. A time and motion work study in AP found that wages when based on the Standards Schedules of Rates (SSR) was 2 to 3 times lower than the minimum wage for most category of work. 2. Following the above initiative of CEC the national NREGA guidelines wants all states to undertake Time & Motion Study to revise SSR to suit average worker to earn minimum wage. 3. The above did not solve the issue of just wages to women as measurement is of the ‘works’ rather than the time and effort involved by the women with women expected to meet the output of men. 4. So we need Gender based time and motion studies without relationship to output to revise the SSR based on the out turn of women. In doing so the aspect of “Lead” must be understood to build the underfoot conditions in which women do their work. 5. Tools be provided to reduce women’s drudgery, occupational hazard and improve their dignity and productivity.

6. Selection of Works NREGA works are planned by govt. depts. and Panchayat Raj. 1. In case of departmental works the selection must be based on the criteria of additional public or private investment. The chosen works must have the potential, in the eyes of others, as creating infrastructure. So the list of departmental works be developed in consultations with bankers, adthidars, farmers and those with additional investment potential only must be allowed 2. In the selection of works by the Panchayat, use electronic voting machines for the community to choose among the works. This will make the gram sabha and local governance real and democracy at work for village reconstruction 3. Provide quota among works to specific disadvantaged groups - dalits, women, small farmers and dry land agriculturists, to improve quality of life, with voting restricted to particular group 4. Land development of dry land small farmers should not be onetime intervention but over three to five year time frame

7. Monitoring • Develop and allow access to citizens an IT enabled tracking system of all works as “read only” file. People must get full and detailed disaggregated information on aspects of each work to be vigilant. • The real time feeding of the above data be the responsibility of the programme implementation official at block/district levels. Don’t wait for IT linkage everywhere, start wherever available. • 3. State EGA council must get a monthly summary on progress and deviation along with officers inspection reports as in the NFFW guidelines. • EGA council to report to State Assembly by making quarterly reports for legislators.

8. Human Capacity • Training • AP must develop a CD ROM that can be clicked to provide implementation details and responsibilities on every aspect of EGA. This is a must as guidelines are vague and trainees need to get authentic information that is accepted by all in the decision making chain. This will eliminate trainers interpreting the EGA and the massive costs involved. • The EGA Council must provide answers to queries and these used to further sharpen training material and the CD ROM. For this we suggest a telephonic help line for NREGA. • Utilization of EGA • The programme implementation officer should seek 100 days of work as a target. Rewards be given to the gram panchayat and officials who as a team utilize fully the EGA along criteria such as nature of works taken, timeliness of payments etc.

9. Human Capacity contd… NGO NGO involvement should not be restricted to implementing EGA but to further specific actions leading to harnessing their full potential and bring in innovations and best practices Food Grain be provided in drought prone and remote areas along with cash. The AP model of Food Assurance in which grain is provided each month regardless of work can address hunger and malnutrition. Pilot CEC under a MoU with the AP Govt. if field testing all the above proposals and request your blessings

10. About Centre for Environment Concerns (CEC) Established in 1984 with a mandate to • Innovate and mainstream successful practice on livelihoods in dry land areas. Mitigate drought through development of agriculture in backward areas • Empower poor through employment, food & ecological security, negotiate markets and community institutions • Work with experts, academics, activists and volunteers on policy studies & advocacy