PIN

1. #1 Appraisal of NREGA in West Bengal Top line Findings 08 04 09 PIN IIM Calcutta

2. Time Line of the Study: Dec 08-April 09 • Sample Districts • Bardhaman • Birbhum • Purulia • Malda Background of the appraisal Blocks and Gram Panchayats: Two blocks from each district, four Gram Panchayat, four villages (one in each GP) from each block. Works: One work surveyed per Gram Panchayat. Out of the total 4 works per block, 3 were ongoing and 1 completed. Workers/Non-beneficiaries: Ten workers per work #2

3. Review and appraise implementation of NREGA Processes, Documentation, Transparency Mechanisms and Human Resources • Share and discuss findings with State Governments and Central Government • Suggest remedial action to State and Central Government & monitor follow up action at quick intervals Objectives of the Appraisal #3

4. Key Findings Demographics #4

5. Awareness Rozgar Diwas at GP Level #5

6. Registration and Job Card #6

7. Application for Employment #7

8. Work Process • No response obtained for ‘perceived reasons for non-issuance of 100 days of employment in a year’. As no one has answered this question, we believe that the no respondent has completed one year of employment under the scheme #8

9. Wage Payment • All but one of the respondents reportedly said that there was no difference in task rates for women compared to their male counter parts #9

10. Transparency in Wage Payment #10

11. Best Practices • usage of computers • awareness programmes are made through the mike van/announcement from a van fitted with loud speakers • Participation of local SHGs in meetings • SHGs acting as publicity partners • Ground water recycling • Soil reformation work • Constructing roads to connect with cut-off tribal areas • Development of nurseries Innovations #11

12. Perceived Problems • Social audit loosing its utility value • Political will is missing at the project level • Shortage of technical personnel at the Gram Panchayat level • Volume of work is too large to be handled properly by a lone Nirman Sahayak • Distribution of payment in not on time Constraints Faced All the respondents said that there are no complaint registers/ help line known to be available at GP office #12

13. Methodology Sample Distribution *Out of 4 works per block, 3 were ongoing and 1 completed #13

14. Information Matrix Methodology #14

15. Methods of Data collection Where- At the work level – 4 work sites per block (2x4x4=32 work sites) What - Basic physical and financial data The muster rolls at the work places checked and the checklist filled in Where- Discussions with District, Block and GP level officials What - Discussion with the Dist Nodal Officer (DNO), NREGA (4 x 1) To capture the innovative ways of implementing NREGA Discussion with the block level officials (4x2 = 8 blocks- 2 from each district). The key contacts at the block level finalized in consultation with the DNO Where - At the workers’ level- 10 workers per work What- Structured Interview with the workers Methodology #15

16. Tools for Data collection • Discussion guides for key resource persons at Dist, block • and GP level • Structured questionnaire for the beneficiaries • Check List for the work sites • FGD guidelines for 1 group per block Methodology #16