VOLUME No. 2 (2013), ISSUE No.

4 (April) ISSN (Online): 2320-0685

MGNREGA: 100 days Employment Guarantee in Bundelkhand (M.P.)?

Surendra Singh
Research Scholar, Department of Economics,
Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar University, Lucknow
Abstract

MGNREGA has a flagship programme of UPA government which is given 100 days job assurance in
rural areas for unskilled persons. It also creating social inclusion by given 33% jobs assurance for
women. It is one of the important opportunities for women. Bundelkhand region of (M.P.) has a backward
area and in this area MGNREGA had not provided 100 days job guarantee to who are willing to do jobs
under this Scheme. Irregularities also found in implementation of MGNREGA in this area. Like Mustor
roll was not prepared properly & wages inequalities between women and men. But another picture is that
it’s provided some amount of jobs for peoples in this area. In Bundelkhand region government data
shown that jobs were provided under MGNREGA but social & individual researches could not found
them. In many cases found that jobs were provided to real beneficiaries. And in some cases wages were
not given after completing of work. Unemployment allowance which is another safe guard of this scheme
not provided who want to jobs but unfortunately jobs were not provided within 15 days of jobs
demanding.

Background

The architectural marvel was built on bank of Gomti River; thousands of workers were
working beautiful arches to destroy them every evening. Workers were given a daily quota of
cooked food and some cash. The year was 1784; entire Northern India was reeling under
drought. The first “demand driven job guarantee scheme” was born. MGNREGA has a demand
driven programme which was launched by government for creating new jobs in rural and remote
areas in India. Purpose of the launching of MGNREGA programme purely creating unskilled
jobs and given assurance to people who lived in rural areas because more than population lived
in rural areas and increasing regularly and due to globalization jobs have not created for
unskilled peoples. So according to the Article 21 right to Right to life parliament have been
notified National Rural Employment Guarantee Act on 7th September 2005 and Act came into
force on 2nd February 2006.

Introduction

The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act was notified on 7th September, 2005 to
create a right-based framework for wage employment. The Act came into force on 2 nd February
2006. The aim of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) was to enhance the
livelihood security of people in rural areas by guaranteeing 100 days of wage employment in a
financial year to a rural household whose member volunteer to do unskilled manual work. Before
giving an account of the objectives, goals and features of this historical Act, it will be relevant to
have a view of the rural scenario created by the political-economy of the LPG paradigm. It is
true that the India shift towards market oriented economic reforms was motivated by the need of

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accelerating growth in all sectors of economy but in actual terms the agriculture sector
experienced stagnation and decline.

According to the government reports, the growth rate of agricultural Gross Domestic
Product (GDP) decelerate from 3.08 % per annum during 1980-1981 and 1990-1991 to 2.38%
during 1992-93 to 2003-04. Similarly the growth rate of crop output declined from 3.19% rate of
food grains output decelerated to an all period low of 1.16%. This was lower than the growth of
population at 1.95% per annum. Thus, there was a decline in the per capita availability during the
post reform period. This was happening in conjunction with two other significant trends of
change in the rural society and economy:-

1. Increasement in the proportion of agriculture labourers and

2. Increasement in the proportion of the agriculture households.

According to the census of 2001, the proportion of agriculture laboures to agricultural

workers increased from 37.8% in 1971 to 45.6% by 2001. In absolute terms, there was an
increased from 47.5 million to 106.2 million. It is important to remember that there were 30%
rural labour households in 1977-78 which got increased to nearly 40% in 1999-2000. In the
meantime the proportion of agriculture households to total rural household had increased from
25.35 to 33.2%. The other worrying phenomenon has been the increasing six of the marginal
present households in rural India. The percentage of marginal households among the cultivators
has increased from 66.6 in 1982 to 79.6% in 2003. This rapid growth of agriculture labourers
was mainly because the increased workforce in India was unable to find the employment in non-
agricultural sections in rural or urban areas (Bhalla, 2007). This declining trend of agricultural
sector has been adversely affecting the poorer sections of all communities. But the crisis of
survival was most aggregated for the landless labourers and marginal peasants who are mostly
form SCs, STs and female headed households. As mentioned in every beginning of this essay,
this crisis has been proved to be an accelerator of indebtedness, forced migration, suicides,
family breakdown, rural unrests, social violence, and political radicalism (Government of India,
2008). So it should not come as a surprise that the main objective of the NREGA 2005 was to
create durable assets and strengthen the livelihood and resources base for the rural poorer.
(www.righttofoodindia.org/data/up-campaign-for-rtf07nrega-review-tale-of-broken promises.)

MNREGA and Gender

MNREGA is a highly gender sensitive scheme. It is mandatory that at least one third of
the workers should be women. The share of women at the national level is 40%. It is again
necessary to provide various facilities at the worksite like drinking water and baby sitters. The
provision of baby sitters will free the women of all the worries of taking care of their little kids.
The provision is women friendly in another way that this will spare the elder siblings from
rearing the younger ones. Women are more attracted towards the scheme because the wage level
for women labours are less than that of the male counter parts in the market. While a male labour
gets Rs 100 per day on an average during harvest seasons and Rs 70-80 during the lean season, a
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women labourer gets about Rs 50 during harvest season and Rs 30-40 during lean season. It is
undisputed that the scheme has the potential to mobilize women in large numbers and groups
(which was earlier difficult.) This presents an opportunity to the government to form productive
self help from the unskilled labour to the skilled labour through the convergence of the entire
scheme should materialize as an offshoot of the MGNREGA. Such social change and upward
mobility is the final aim of any poverty alleviation programme.

Review of literature

On this Scheme (MGNREGA) extensive researches had been conducted so in this paper
we are using two dimension review of literature which is Wages, Employment.

Wage: - Many research works have done on wage system in MGNREGA scheme like (Anindita
et.al 2010), (Anish Vanaik et.al 2008), (CAG 2008), (Siddhartha et al 2008), (NCAER 2009),
(Kidambi somya). MGNREGA has a demand driven Scheme so under this scheme part of funds
60% expended on wages but due to irregularities in some cases work has been completed but
wages have not been given to beneficiaries. Payments of wages through bank are another safe
guard of this scheme but due to corruption and irregularities wage has been not received by
beneficiaries.

Employment:- Employment and unemployment allowance have important part of MGNREGA

scheme, this scheme given an assurance to rural people 100 days employment on nearer at home
but unfortunately works were not provided within 15days its provision under NREGA Act to
provide unemployment allowance on this theme many research works have been done like
(Chandrashekhar et. al 2005), (Dreze Jeans 2006), (Baisakh pradeep 2007), (K.S. Gopal 2008),
(CAG 2008), (Sharma Ria 2008), (Patil Amitendu), (NAC member 2010), (Parshuram Rai
2010), (CEFS 2009), (Bela Bhatia 2006), (Jhal et. Al 2012), (N.Krishan ji 2012), (Union minister
statement on April 26, 2012), ( Datta puja et. at 2012), (Tiwari rakesh et. at 2011), (Chowdhury
subhanil 2011), (Hirway indira and Neha shah 2011), literature on employment in MGNREGA
clear cut shown that till 2010 in Bundelkhand region apart of M.P. which is backward area of
Utter Pradesh in some Gram Panchayats no single person of ST beneficial under MGNREGA
but MGNREGA official data saying employment were given to peoples And some serious
irregularities also found under MGNREGA in Bundelkhand like Gram Pradhan which is
important part of implementation of this scheme did not know about MGNREGA scheme.
(Parshuram Rai 2010). Social audit one of the major safe guard of this scheme purely failed in
implementation in some cases due to heavy corruption involvement should not implemented
properly. Unemployment allowance is another important safeguard but it is a state matter so in
Madhya Pradesh especially in Bundelkhand region. In many cases unemployment was not given
to beneficiaries.

Objectives

1. To examine 100 days Employment provided to workers in Bundelkhand region (M.P.)

2. To examine that MGNREGA given 33% jobs for Women‟s in Bundelkhand Region
(M.P.)
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Research Methodology: - Research methodology is a way of systematically solving the

problem (C.R. Kothari). Here research problem is “MGNREGA: 100 days Employment
Guarantee in Bundelkhand Region (M.P.)?” To find out the solution of any research problem it is
very important to collect data of a relevant period and data collected should be up to date. Thus,
the period chooses by me for this research will be confined 2008-2013. For this purpose we
have using secondary data which is collected various Magazines Articles published on
MGNREGA and data also collected from NREGA official website. In this research work I also
used percentage and ratio method for calculation of data.

Study Area

For this research work we are taking part of Bundelkhand region which comes under
Madhya Pradesh. Bundelkhand region is located between 23°20' and 26°20' N latitude and
78°20' and 81°40'E longitude. Administratively the region comprises of six districts Madhya
Pradesh viz., Chhatrapur, Tikamgarh, Damoh, Datia, Panna, Sagar. The Bundelkhand region is
complex, diverse, rained, risky, under-invested, vulnerable, socio-economically heterogeneous,
ethnically unique, agrarian and backward relative to other regions. Population of Bundelkhand
region of M.P. is 86, 52.178 and male population is 45, 62,824, female population 40, 89,354.
Population growth in Bundelkhand region is approximately 18.47% and average literacy ratio is
69.24%, male literacy ration is 79.26% and female literacy ration is 58.07% (census 2011).

Data Analysis
During 2008 to Feb.2013 in Bundelkhand region (M.P.) MGNREGA play tremendous
role it‟s provided approximately 39.63% jobs for women‟s (Table 1). STs in this region received
more jobs comparatively from SCs; STs have higher jobs person days in 20012-13 which was
29% and in 2010-11. SCs in 2011-12 are lower person days which were 14.58% and in 2012-13
higher which was 19.91%. In table one important thing is shown is that number of person days in
STs is greater than to STs Peoples. That is shown better awareness about MGNREGA in STs
because in this area STs Population is less comparatively to SCs population (Census 2001) So
it‟s shown opposite picture about employment generation and awareness this scheme. During
this period STs have more beneficiaries from STs (col.5). In this table another picture seen about
women empowerment during this period in Bundelkhand region MGNREGA provided more
jobs comparatively provision under the NREGA Act.

Table1: Person days Generated during (2008-Feb.13) in Bundelkhand region (M.P)

Year Total SCs % of Jobs STs % jobs for Women % of jobs provide
jobs for SCs STs for women’s
provided 4 6 7 8
1 2 3 (3*100/2) 5 (6*100/2) ( 7*100/2)
2008-09 18765684 2854060 15.20 4505981 24.01 6596116 35.14
2009-10 14773575 2682148 18.15 4321339 29.25 5567778 37.67
2010-11 19695862 3014784 15.30 2720010 13.81 7076905 35.93
2011-12 19134790 2791436 14.58 4016057 20.98 7083050 37.01
2012-Feb.13 6670888 1328447 19.91 1935023 29.00 3507046 52.57
Source:-www.nrega.nic.in
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Table 2: Employment status under MGNREGA in Bundelkhand region (M.P.) during 2008- Feb.13
(Hh=No. of households)
Years Jobs Card Jobs Jobs 100 days % of completed 100
Issues Demanded Provided completed days
(Hh) (Hh) (Hh) (Hh) (5*100/.4)
(HHh)
1 2 3 4 5 6
2008-09 1387419 577694 572138 17087 2.98
2009-10 1524771 409046 406739 17911 4.40
2010-11 1538480 461791 360693 31606 8.76
2011-12 1548369 431699 118386 33263 7.73
2012- Feb.13 1285797 303095 295701 8628 2.91
Source:-www.nrega.nic.in

During this period between 2008 -2013 data clear cut shown about employment status in
this area, data shown 100 days employment completion percentage is very low comparatively to
jobs provided. In the year 2008-09 percentage of 100 days completion of jobs is 2.98 which are
very low and higher percentage was 2010-11 (Table 2). In 2010-11 no .of households issued job
cards was 1538480 but no. of jobs demanded only 461791 that was around 30% which was very
low, cause of this thing is that many people did not do difference between MGNREGA job card
and Ration card that thing we find out at the time of literature review (Pursuram Rai 2010). But
another picture was that no of households provided jobs out of no of households demanded jobs
is around 79.40% due to this gap another problem arisen is that unemployment allowance,
unemployment allowance has important safeguard of this scheme but unemployment allowance
has a state matter so in Bundelkhand region government did not given unemployment allowance
to the workers those who are demanded jobs but government did not provided (Pursuram Rai
2010.). And more important thing 100 days employment was about households those who are
working in MGNREGA have not been completed 100 days; it‟s shown failure of MGNREGA in
this region because MGNREGA legally bounded 100 days employment.

(Fig.1) (Fig.2)
Person Days Generated during Employment Status during 2008-9
2008-09

5000000 350000
300000
4000000 Job cards
250000
SC issued
3000000 200000
ST 150000 jobs
2000000 demanded
Others 100000
1000000 50000 jobs provided
Total
0 0
Women
Panna

Damoh
Datia
chhatrapur

Sagar
Tikamgarh

100 days
sagar
Chatrapur

datia
tikamgrh

panna
damoh

completed

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(Fig.3) (Fig.4)
Person Days Generated during Employment Status during 2009-10
2009-10

4000000 500000
3500000 450000
400000 Job cards
3000000 350000
SC issued
2500000 300000
2000000 ST 250000 jobs
200000 demanded
1500000
Others 150000
1000000 100000 jobs
500000 Total 50000 provided
0 0
Women 100 days

sagar
Chatrapur
tikamgrh

datia
panna
damoh
completed

Source:-www.nrega.nic.in

MGNREGA has a job guarantee scheme it‟s secure 100 days employment in a year to
people who are willing to do jobs in this scheme but unfortunately in Bundelkhand region (M.P.)
it is not fulfill his provisions which is notified in Nrega Act (see Fig. 2&4). Another 2 fig. shown
person days generated under MGNREGA scheme fig. 2 clearly shows gap between no.
households issued jobs cards and no. of households completed 100 days employment during
2008-09. There is clear cut shown implementation picture of MGNREGA. Same picture showing
in year 2009-10. Sky blue and purple line which in fig. 2&4 shows clearly showing gaps
between jobs card issued and 100 days completed. Fig. 1&3 shows person days generated in both
fig. one important thing is that these years MGNREGA provided higher jobs to the women‟s
from 33%.
(Fig.5) (Fig.6)
Person Days Generated during Employment Status during 2010-11
2010-11
6000000 500000
450000
5000000 400000
Job cards
4000000 350000
SC issued
300000
3000000 ST 250000 jobs
200000 demanded
2000000 Others 150000
jobs provided
Total 100000
1000000
50000
0 Women 0 100 days
sagar
Chatrapur

datia
tikamgrh
damoh

panna

completed
sagar
Chatrapur
tikamgrh

datia
panna
damoh

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(Fig.7) (Fig.8)
Person Days Generated during Employment Status during 2011-12
2011-12
4500000 500000
4000000 450000
3500000 400000 Job cards
350000
3000000 SC issued
300000
2500000 250000 jobs
ST
2000000 200000 demanded
1500000 Others 150000
100000 jobs provided
1000000 Total
500000 50000
0 Women 0 100 days

sagar
Chatrapur

datia
tikamgrh

panna
damoh
completed

Source:-www.nrega.nic.in
During the period 2010-11&2011-12 same picture shown in Datia number of households
jobs card issued was higher but no. of households completed 100 days employment is very less
(fig.6 & 8) it‟s clearly shown failure of MGNREGA in that years. Gaps between jobs provided
and 100 days completed is also seen in fig. 6&8 green line shows no. of households provided
jobs and purple line shows no. of households completed 100 days employment under this
scheme.

(Fig.9) (Fig.10)
Person Days Generated during Employment Status during 2012-Feb.13
2012-Feb.13
3000000 500000
2500000 400000 Job cards
2000000 SC issued
300000
1500000 ST jobs
200000 demanded
1000000 Others
100000 jobs
500000 Total provided
0 0
Women 100 days
sagar
Chatrapur
tikamgrh

datia
damoh

panna

completed

Source:-www.nrega.nic.in

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In Sagar district number of women person days generated is higher comparatively other
districts and in Datia number of women‟s person days is very lower comparatively other
districts. (Fig.9). In Sagar distrist number of households issued jobs cards is higher and
Chhatterpur number jobs cards issued is less (see sky line in fig.10) but number of households
completed 100 days is very less so in the matter of 100 days completion of jobs under this
scheme during 2008-feb 2013 is lower it‟s clearly shown failure of this scheme.

Findings

1. MGNREGA in Bundelkhand region (M.P.) not provided 100 days security to workers.
2. During the period 2008- Feb.2013 MGNREGA created social inclusion and given
approximately 39.63% jobs for women‟s which is higher from secure in NREGA Act.

Discussion

Number of poverty alleviation schemes has been put in rural part of India since
independence MGNREGA one of them but important thing is that it‟s provided 100 days legal
jobs guarantee in rural part of India for who is willing to do unskilled manual work under this
scheme. Since implemented year in Bundelkhand region many irregularities were founded in
implementation of this scheme like Muster roll has not been prepared properly. Unawareness
about this scheme another bigger issue under this Scheme because many rural peoples who are
necessary want to do jobs nearer to living place was not aware from this scheme (parsuram rai
2010). After getting job card peoples did not define difference between MGNREGA job card and
Ration Card. There is major problem found them in literature. Government reports on this
scheme shows jobs were provided for rural peoples who want to jobs but individual research
shown opposite picture. A social survey was conducted in Bundelkhand region in 2010 by
Parsuram rai and others (Centre for Environment and Food Security). They found that in
Bundelkhand many peoples of SCs and STs are not paid any amount in this scheme. And they
also found serious irregularities in implementation. Peoples who are working since 2006 they are
only 4-10 days employment provided under this scheme. And contradictory found between
government reports & individual researches in this area. Government reports on MGNREGA
shows that employment was provided those who are demanded in this scheme but individual
researches were not found.

Conclusion

MGNREGA has a part of series of rural development programmes which were

implemented in rural areas since independence but one significant difference is between
MGNREGA and other rural development programmes is that it‟s bounded 100 days employment
to a single rural households in a financial year who are willing to do unskilled manual works
under this scheme. MGNREGA has given job assurance to peoples and it created social inclusion
because it gave 33% jobs Assurance for women. In Bundelkhand which is backward area of
Madhya Pradesh MGNREGA not given 100 days job securities to those who are willing to do
job under this scheme? (See Table no.2). In Bundelkhand region many people unaware about
MGNREGA scheme they did not know about this scheme. In some areas of Bundelkhand like in
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Datia District very less jobs have been provided to Women under this scheme. At the time of
review of literature in implementation many irregularities were founded under this scheme like
Mustor roll which is important record about MGNREGA. Physical progress reports were not
prepared properly. (Parsuram Rai 2010) at the working site of MGNREGA. Officer who is
appointed for prepared Mustor roll it makes Kachha Mustor roll and then after its make Pukka
Mustor roll at office. There are serious irregularities in implementations of this scheme. One
another thing is founded that is unemployment allowance, unemployment allowance has a matter
of State government; in CAG report (2008) found that many states were not paid unemployment
allowance to beneficiaries. Poverty ratio of Bundelkhand region apart of Madhya Pradesh is
higher comparatively other part of State so this scheme is more important for these peoples.
MGNREGA has gender sensitive so we are looked about women employment in this area during
study period according to the NREGA official website its create social inclusion and given
approximately 39.63% jobs for women‟s there is single achievement of this scheme in my
research work. In this research work contradictory were founded between government reports
and individual researches. It‟s seen my data which is collected from NREGA official site, data
clear cut shown about employment status. On the basis of this MGNREGA has not been
provided 100 days security in this area. It is clearly breach NREGA Act provision which is noted
down that 100 days security for workers.

References

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Bhatti, Bharat (2012), „Aadhar-Enabled Payments for NREGA Workers‟ Economic & Political Weekly,
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