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Role of NREGA in Replenishing CPRs and Livestock based Livelihoods: A Study in Bundelkhand Region

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Role of NREGA in Replenishing CPRs and Livestock based Livelihoods: A Study in Bundelkhand Region
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1 College code College Name Theme 1000609 Amrita School of Business Roles of Policies and Regulations “Role of NREGA in Replenishing CPRs and Livestock based Livelihoods: A Study in Bundelkhand Region” NIKHIL CHANDALIA * , VARUN ULLATTIL , Dr. AMALENDU JYOTISHI Abstract National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) was passed with a mission to put up a floor to poverty in the rural India thereby providing an opportunity to make jobs work for rural development. It was also foreseen as a tool for ecological replenishment. Projects falling under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act usually targeted towards creating productive assets like water conservation structures, land levelling, tree plantation etc., which are used for replenishing common pool resources like land, water, forest, livestock etc. Even with the positive intend of the programme, it is not spared from allegations and criticisms. There have been reports that found out poor implementation in some states. There have been reports which suggest that people are moving away from their primary livelihood activity like agriculture because of NREGA. Considering all these aspects, in the present paper, we are briefly analyzing the overall scenario of NREGA in the dry lands of the Bundelkhand Region (which constitutes a portion of two Indian states Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh), its role in replenishing Common Pool Resources (CPRs) and its significance in sustaining livestock based livelihoods of dry-lands of India. In this paper, thus, we attempt to bring out an interrelation between NREGA implementation and the various facets covered like livelihood issues, status of CPRs, livestock etc. These issues are synthesized considering the macro aspects of the NREGA convergence with the other establishments and the gaps within as well as its role in replenishing CPRs. Keywords: NREGA, CPRs, Sustainability, Livelihood, Livestock, Bundelkhand. JEL Classification: Q01, Q28, J43. * Student at Amrita School of Business, Kasavanahalli, Carmelaram PO, Bangalore - 560035, Email id: [email protected] Student at Amrita School of Business, Kasavanahalli, Carmelaram PO, Bangalore - 560035, Email id: [email protected] Associate Professor Amrita School of Business, Kasavanahalli, Carmelaram PO, Bangalore - 560035, Email id: [email protected]
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  • 1

    College code College Name Theme

    1000609 Amrita School of Business Roles of Policies and Regulations

    Role of NREGA in Replenishing CPRs and Livestock based Livelihoods: A Study in

    Bundelkhand Region

    NIKHIL CHANDALIA *, VARUN ULLATTIL, Dr. AMALENDU JYOTISHI

    Abstract

    National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) was passed with a mission to put up a floor to

    poverty in the rural India thereby providing an opportunity to make jobs work for rural development.

    It was also foreseen as a tool for ecological replenishment. Projects falling under the National Rural

    Employment Guarantee Act usually targeted towards creating productive assets like water

    conservation structures, land levelling, tree plantation etc., which are used for replenishing common

    pool resources like land, water, forest, livestock etc. Even with the positive intend of the programme,

    it is not spared from allegations and criticisms. There have been reports that found out poor

    implementation in some states. There have been reports which suggest that people are moving away

    from their primary livelihood activity like agriculture because of NREGA.

    Considering all these aspects, in the present paper, we are briefly analyzing the overall scenario of

    NREGA in the dry lands of the Bundelkhand Region (which constitutes a portion of two Indian states

    Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh), its role in replenishing Common Pool Resources (CPRs) and its

    significance in sustaining livestock based livelihoods of dry-lands of India. In this paper, thus, we

    attempt to bring out an interrelation between NREGA implementation and the various facets covered

    like livelihood issues, status of CPRs, livestock etc. These issues are synthesized considering the

    macro aspects of the NREGA convergence with the other establishments and the gaps within as well

    as its role in replenishing CPRs.

    Keywords: NREGA, CPRs, Sustainability, Livelihood, Livestock, Bundelkhand.

    JEL Classification: Q01, Q28, J43.

    * Student at Amrita School of Business, Kasavanahalli, Carmelaram PO, Bangalore - 560035, Email id: [email protected] Student at Amrita School of Business, Kasavanahalli, Carmelaram PO, Bangalore - 560035,

    Email id: [email protected] Associate Professor Amrita School of Business, Kasavanahalli, Carmelaram PO, Bangalore - 560035,

    Email id: [email protected]

  • 2

    Role of NREGA in Replenishing CPRs and Livestock based Livelihoods: A Study in

    Bundelkhand Region

    NIKHIL CHANDALIA, VARUN ULLATTIL, Dr. AMALENDU JYOTISHI

    1. Introduction

    Bundelkhand is a part of India which has immense historical importance. Traditionally considered to

    be culturally rich, has lost its much talked about sheen in the recent past. The situation has changed so

    drastically in the last five to six years that people in this region find it difficult to have adequate

    drinking water. It is a mere coincidence that the implementation of NREGA and draught in the region

    started roughly about the same time. In our quest to find out the importance and the need of NREGA

    in rejuvenating the Common Pool Resources, we could not have selected a better region for a study

    The study examines the contribution of NREGA towards improving the productivity of Common Pool

    Resources (CPR) and its significance on livestock economy. The secondary data collected gave us the

    hint of the diversity amongst the various districts. The diversity in terms of forest cover, livestock,

    groundwater levels, rivers, altitude of land above sea level, cropping patterns, cropping intensity, land

    usage, land ownership, castes residing in different districts, occupations, population, population

    density and other demographic differences. The diversification in the already mentioned aspects gives

    the NREGA implementers enough reasons to customize and tweak the no. of activities and type of

    activities that needs to be done in the various districts

    2. Linkages of NREGA, CPR and Livestock: A Review of Literature

    Common pool resources are defined in the Indian context as non-exclusive resources to which the

    rights of use are distributed among a number of owners. These co-owners are generally identified by

    their membership of some other group such as a village or a tribe or a particular community (K

    Chopra 2002). Most micro-studies on use and access of common pool resources in India have adopted

    This section is based on the data collected from 2002 BPL Survey data, District-wise Basic Data Sheets of Census 2001,

    Female data from Census of India 2001, State-wise abstract of information from village schedule in Minor Irrigation Census

    2000-2001, District-wise Land Use Statistics, Directorate of Economics & Statistics, Department of Agriculture &

    Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture, GOI, May 2008, District-wise Land Use Statistics, Union Ministry of

    Agriculture, May 2008, Wastelands Atlas of India, 2005, Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development,

    GOI, Agriculture Census Input Survey 2001-02, Ministry of Agriculture, GOI, District-wise Land Use Statistics, Ministry of

    Agriculture, GOI India, May 2008, District-wise Land Use Statistics, Ministry of Agriculture, GOI, May 2008, State of

    Forest Report 2005, Forest Survey of India, Union Ministry of Environment & Forests, Livestock Census of India 2003.

  • 3

    this as a broad working definition. Common pool resources thus include community pastures and

    forests, wastelands, common dumping and threshing grounds, watershed drainages, village ponds,

    rivers and other common pool water bodies. Apart from these, there are systems of customary rights

    which support traditional practices, and thereby represent common rights on private property in

    certain situations such as when private land is lying fallow in between crop rotation cycles.

    The confusion over the literature definition of CPR has lead many researchers to analyze the situation

    under which a particular resource government system is likely to yield positive or negative results in

    terms of an efficient, equitable and sustainable use of resources (Marothia 2002)

    There is a lot of mismatch in the expected and the actual achievement of the various developmental

    programmes, and one of the major reasons is the failure of the planners to integrate ecological,

    economic and social factors in the development policy and planning on one hand and Lack of

    appreciation of property rights dimensions of CPR type of resources (Singh 2002)

    CPRs play an important role in Indias rural economy as a source of sustenance and income to

    millions of the rural poor (Singh 2002). (Jodha 2002) study shows substantial dependence of poor on

    CPR resources. He also suggested that depletion or degradation of this type of resources adversely

    affect the poor especially from used area. In this output a study relating to role of NREGA in

    replenishing CPR type of resources will be meaningful.

    The diversity in terms of forest cover, livestock, ground-water levels, rivers, altitude of land above sea

    level, cropping patterns, cropping intensity, land usage and ownership, castes residing in different

    districts, occupations, population, population density and other demographic differences therefore a

    one blanket approach to link NREGA with CPR may not be that appropriate.

    According to Nadkarnis (2002) study There is a tendency for the commons**

    to degrade or decline

    in the course of economic development, though there ecological functions increase in importance,

    requiring their conservation. This decline can hit the poor badly as they depend for their survival on

    them; yet, their revival need not automatically benefit the poor more since the non-poor may corner

    more benefits from the commons in absolute terms (if not in relative terms) (pp.88). Such findings

    direct our attention not only towards meeting the dual objectives of conservation and development but

    also the need for consideration of the poor whom the conservation activity hits badly and economic

    development bypasses. This again requires institutional arrangements, which can ensure enhancement

    of welfare of the poor.

  • According to Rais (2010) study, th

    guarantee of corruption, unemploym

    only regular feature in Bundelkhand

    As mentioned earlier, the different

    difference should be on the basis o

    based on the availability of the natu

    experience the activities done unde

    research.

    3. Objectives of the Study

    The broader objective of the study i

    While the specific objectives includ

    1. To determine the role of NR

    2. Understand the linkages bet

    3. Recommendations and sugg

    have positive implication on

    4. Methodology and Conceptu

    4

    the implementation of NREGA in Bundekhand, the

    yment, poverty, hunger and humiliation. Irregularities

    nd region of Uttar Pradesh.

    nt regions of Bundelkhand require different type of

    of the socio economic and demographic factors. It s

    natural resources. To validate the logic, see the grou

    der NREGA in the various villages, we felt the need

    Study

    y is to identify the links between NREGA with CPR

    ude

    REGA in livelihood enhancement

    etween NREGA and CPR

    ggestions to improve the NREGA implementation pr

    on CPR and livestock based livelihood

    onceptual Framework

    here has been a

    ies have been the

    of projects. The

    It should also be

    ound reality and

    ed to do primary

    and Livestock.

    process that will

  • 5

    Fig1: Conceptual Framework

    The above figure gives the conceptual framework indicating the linkages of NREGA and its

    convergence initiatives its impact on CPR based livelihood and the underlying impact on the

    livestock. The framework intends to highlight an ideal situation where the man power supplied by

    NREGA and the technical and financial support provided by the converging bodies for projects

    intended to improve in agricultural productivity, improve the deteriorating livestock count and also

    providing a sustainable livelihood option.

    The study will be conducted through secondary research and primary research method. Secondary

    Research will consist of understanding the dynamics of the Bundelkhand region. Both area and

    productivity issues of CPRs and its significance on livestock economy will be analysed using primary

    data mainly through focus group interviews, personal interviews and observations. The role of

    NREGA in the management practices of CPRs and peoples dependency on CPRs for their subsistence

    and livelihoods also will be analysed using primary data. In short the study is going to address the

    above said objectives in arid and semi-arid tracts of the region. Primary research included a transit

    walk in the villages of Bundelkhand Region that involved focus group discussions with the villagers,

    personal Interviews of the Bank manager, sarpanch or pradhan, district and block level officials and

    also interactions with the NGOs. For rural appraisal, two districts were selected each from Uttar

    Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh parts of Bundelkhand. Two blocks were identified in each of the

    districts. Two to four villages were selected in each of the blocks based on the geographic and

    demographic diversity. In our endeavour to get the right data we basically selected villages where

    some or the other NREGA activities have happened. We visited a few sites where the work was in

    progress. This study was undertaken for the Centre of Economics and Social Sciences, Hyderabad, to

    provide feedback regarding various issues relating to NREGA. This particular study was focused on

    Lalitpur and Jalaun Districts in Uttar Pradesh, and Tikamgarh and Chattarpur districts in Madhya

    Pradesh. The surveys were done in the following locations.

    The surveys are not comprehensive, but done with the purpose of providing some insights to enable

    fine-tuning of implementation if possible. The survey carried out for the study was exploratory in

    nature and there was an additional section to capture the perceptions of the beneficiaries regarding the

    NREGAs utility.

  • 6

    4. Official data of the activities undertaken as part of NREGA in 2010

    11

    Table 1: State of activities and Expenditure incurred in the villages which were visited

    Source: www.nrega.nic.in

    The above table summarizes the status of the projects and the financials of the in the villages that

    were visited in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh for 2010-11. It can be seen that most of the works

    are either Work in process or suspended.

    5. Impact of NREGA through Convergence with various central and

    state Government Sponsored Programmes

    In this section we will be looking at the impact of projects undertaken by NREGA in convergence

    with other central and state sponsored programmes in building sustainable livelihood options through

    CPR rejuvenation. The convergence would help provide right guidance and direction while

    implementing projects through NREGA. The land, water and forest department will be well aware of

  • 7

    the technicalities so that they can provide a proper insight so as to decide on the type of project that

    would be suitable under the given conditions.

    5.1 Irrigation Support Initiatives

    There exists a gap between irrigation potential and resource utilization. Many irrigation projects

    which we saw during our field visit were either not constructed properly or hasnt been utilized

    optimally. This is one of the reasons for low irrigation efficiency at project level, which in turn results

    in low productivity. NREGA works like the canal plantation, field channel construction, land shaping,

    dug wells are complementary to the works under Water resources ministry which provides technical

    assistance. Some of the works were not satisfactory; the canal plantation programmes which failed

    because of lack of maintenance post project, some of the field channels dug in order to meet irrigation

    requirement did not sustain because of lack of pucca component(material) due to which the canals

    built gets damaged or washed off.

    It is seen in most villages we visited that the villagers mainly asked for projects that show immediate

    results Kapildhara is one such scheme which works on irrigation through wells. Banks provide

    financial support to the beneficiaries; the financial support provided is for purchasing irrigation tools

    like motor pumps etc. This has helped in increasing the agriculture produce. Some such projects

    however have not benefitted to the extent it was expected to. Reasons mainly range from lack of

    technical knowledge to lack of logic while sanctioning such projects, add to that less than average

    rainfall in the last few years has lead to an increase in the magnitude of the problems. The

    Sahastradhara scheme of NREGA is a convergence initiative of NREGA in association with the

    Water Resources Department (WRD); the Kacha work (Earth Work) is funded through NREGA while

    the technical support, material and labour requirements are funded by WRD for improving the area

    under irrigation through construction of irrigation canals. This was seen in Talbehat block of Lalitpur

    in Uttar Pradesh where the work was going. Efficient implementation of such schemes would help

    upscale the works undertaken and thereby create long lasting sustainable assets.

    5.2 Sericulture Initiatives

    Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) has selected thirteen districts from Uttar Pradesh (UP) to

    conduct a pilot run of this initiative, out of which seven fall under Bundelkhand region which are

    Banda, Chitrakoot, Hamirpur, Jalaun, Lalitpur, Mahoba, Jhansi. In Lalitpur a farm of 15 acres has

    been taken up under sericulture through NREGA and about 35 acres is being developed by funds from

    department itself. This is to mobilise farmers towards taking up sericulture as a livelihood activity,

    this is highly remunerative as the demand for silk as a raw material in the Textile industry I always

    high. The land used for Sericulture was a waste land which was left un-used by the irrigation

  • 8

    department for quite a long time. The land was retrieved through levelling process which was then

    processed using Vermicompost and made compatible for farming through NREGA. The progress of

    this project and the projects in line has pushed the demand for Arjun Plants. This has led to setting up

    of a plant nursery solely for this purpose. Self Help Groups have a major role to play in the

    implementation of such projects.

    5.3 Plantation Initiatives

    Convergence between NREGA and National Afforestation Programme is mutually beneficial.

    Ministry of Environment and Forests has the task of achieving one third of the land area under forest

    and tree plantation as envisaged in the National Forest Policy, 1988. Achieving this is a humungous

    task because of the amount of man power required. NREGA has the potential to suffice the manpower

    requirements. The forest fringe areas and common pool forests can be developed on watershed

    approach in a holistic manner. Such an integrated approach will benefit NREGA leading to better

    quality, planning and selection of activities capable of generating sustainable employment.

    Afforestation has been taken up on large scale in Bundelkhand. Many barren areas bear the fruits of

    hard work put in by NREGA workers. Resources for the project are pooled in from three different

    sources, i.e. Departmental Budget, State Budget and NREGA.

    Forest Programmes have failed in most of the villages visited. The reasons range from lack of

    maintenance to low rainfall to the lack of ownership among the villagers.

    5.4 The Jatropha Effect

    Another interesting convergence that has been taken up in Uttar Pradesh is of Jatropha plantation,

    which intends to make use of barren land so that some benefits can be derived from it in the form of

    Biodiesel. This Biodiesel obtained from Jatropha is a low cost substitute to conventional diesel and is

    almost 95% as efficient as the conventional diesel; Biodiesel emits 30% less CO2 compared to

    conventional diesel. Biodiesel thus obtained helps suffice the energy requirement of the nearby

    villages. The Gram Panchayat is given the task of identifying the barren land. Land Management

    Committee acts as a monitor as well as the evaluator for such projects. Technical support is provided

    by BREL while the finance is done by NREGA. However, according to a BDO (Block Development

    officer), the project is still on hold because of the fear that promotion of biodiesel would lead to

    shortages in food supplies which would in turn prove to be an obstacle in governments effort on /

    5.5 The Mentha (mint) Effect

    In a few villages in Jalaun district, we found acres of Mentha (Mint) plantation. Mentha is a highly

    profitable agricultural alternative and it is usually the elite class who carry out Mentha plantation.

  • 9

    Mentha cultivation requires a lot of water that has lead to heavy decline in the underground water

    table level in these regions causing many wells to have gone dry.

    6. Dependence on Common Pool Resources

    6.1 Dependence on Common Pool Water Resources

    Table 2: Common Pool Water Resources Usage

    Source: Through field visit observations

    The table above shows the extent of water usage of common pool water resources for various reasons

    such as irrigation, livestock rearing, household enterprise and fishing. In most of the villages the

    dependence on common pool water resources is high for irrigation and household enterprise in the

    surveyed villages. Livestock rearing the dependency varied erratically from villages. While the

    dependency on fishing is very low owing to low rainfall and drying up of the water resources in

    summer.

  • 10

    6.2 Dependency of livestock on Common Pool Resources

    Table 3: Level of dependency on CPR and Livestock as a source of revenue

    Source: Through field visit observations

    The above table intends to bring out the dependency of livestock rearing on CPRs; from the table the

    yess represents the dependency of livestock rearing on various dimensions like possessing livestock,

    collecting fodder, grazing and fodder cultivation. From our study we observed that both in MP and

    UP the villages followed a similar trend in possessing livestock. But when it comes to fodder

    collection the UP districts are very dependent on CPRs while in MP it is relatively low similar is the

    case with grazing. In MP many of the villages we visited were on a higher altitude where the grazing

    area was quite low while in UP dependency on CPRs for cultivation was relatively high. Fodder

    cultivation followed similar trends in both the states.

  • 11

    6.3 Dependence on Common Pool Land Resources

    Table 4: Dependence of Common Property Land Resources

    Source: Through field visit observations

    The metrics high, medium and low are taken on a relative basis between each other. The common

    pool land resources here are basically categorised into community pastures/ grazing land and village

    forests / woodlots. There is another category that includes all the government land and reserve forests

    which we have not taken into consideration here. Community pastures/ grazing land and Village

    forests/ woodlots are more in the pilot districts of Uttar Pradesh when compared to the pilot districts

    of Madhya Pradesh.

  • 12

    7. Results and Analysis

    7.1 Problems faced at all levels

    The Implementation of NREGA is a major problem in rejuvenation of CPR in this region. In this

    section we will discuss the first hand information collected on the problems of NREGA and its

    implementation.

    Table 5: A snapshot of the kind of problems faced by the Common Man and the Pradhan/Sarpanch

    Source: Through field visit observations Note: Xs denote the presence of the problem in the village it is marked against, Green coloured rows is

    intended to highlight the absence of any adversities related to NREGA in the respective villages

    We had a discussion with the manager of one of the most prominent banks in India, who wished to

    not be quoted. According to him shortage of staff is one of the major bottlenecks faced by the bank

    Another bottleneck is dearth of coordination between the work allocation body which is the central

    government and the monitoring body which is the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Issue of ATM cards

  • 13

    to the Job Card holders is not a viable solution according to the manager since many of the

    beneficiaries are illiterates who may not be able to use the ATM. This increases chances of misuse.

    APO (Assistant Program Officer) in Talbehat explicitly mentioned that implementation of the

    program is being affected by the laid back attitude of the beneficiaries. The government seems to be

    too lenient says the APO. According to the APO, local politics also plays a spoilsport sometimes.

    APO goes ahead and states that lack of awareness and low literacy levels is a hindrance to the

    possibility of sustainable development through NREGA. Some of the clauses like the one that states

    that 60% of the total estimated cost to be allocated to labour and 40% to material should be

    discontinued as it affect the quality of the project. He, along with the PD office staff, BDO, Madhopur

    and many others, were vocal about problems created due to inadequate bank staff, payment delay

    caused in the current system and the problems faced due of Neelgais and wild pigs. BDO Madhopur,

    however has a unique take on the problems, which ranges from the rate of soil depreciation to the lack

    of technical knowhow on part of the technicians, he also spoke about the quality of soil in the region

    and said that the soil in this region is fractured, so whenever water comes during rainfall, it also

    goes inside faster compared to other type of soil like clay soil etc., hence it is difficult for the water to

    go through streams. Lack of inter department coordination and calibration has resulted in the long

    term loss of many projects which were expected to give great returns.

    7.2 Suggested remedial measures from stakeholders

    One of the pradhans suggested that the panchayat heads should be appointed on a fixed salary and

    also given incentives like travel allowance etc. This will help in keeping the pradhans away from

    indulging in corrupt activities. He also suggested that revision of budget should take less time to get

    processed. Scientific analysis before the commencement should be religiously carried out and

    awareness be created of the work allowed under NREGA. He felt that Poultry farming needs to be

    attached under NREGA as its maintenance cost is low and has the potential to be a sustainable

    revenue generating source for the people. Even the pradhans felt the need to change the 60-40 ratio to

    at least 50-50. Some also suggested that the no. of workdays be increased from 100 to at least 200.

    Suggestions on the lines of assistance in maintaining the plants that have been planted under the

    afforestation scheme of NREGA; as maintenance of plants is not an easy affair. He also states that a

    rule needs to be passed which mentions compulsory six days of labour per person in order to avoid

    half done works. In terms of the organizational convergence in the projects covered under NREGA,

    there were two views given, one was to reduce the convergence to as less as possible, the other was to

    converge everything under NREGA. Both the views however, will lead to the similar results.

  • 14

    7. Intertwining NREGA, CPR and Livestock: A Discussion

    Proper implementation of NREGA can help rejuvenate Common Pool Resources (CPR) to a major

    extent. As we know that one of NREGAs goal is that it acts as a growth engine for sustainable

    development of an agricultural economy. This is done through the process of providing employment

    on works that address causes of chronic poverty such as drought, deforestation and soil erosion, the

    Act seeks to strengthen the natural resource base of rural livelihood and create durable assets in rural

    areas. If the scheme is not implemented correctly the purpose of the act is not met. As we visited

    many villages, the importance of NREGA on the livelihood became more and more important.

    First and foremost, the payment needs to be faster. Speed of payment will directly impact the interest

    levels among the potential beneficiaries. In order to make the payment faster, we suggest the

    following:

    1. Have one Kiosk in each Gram Panchayat. Extra cost incurred will be compensated by more

    and more people being satisfied by the payment procedure, resulting in better quality which

    will lead to sustainable growth and development.

    2. Have a separate NREGA Bank, in each block. This will help in reducing the burden on some

    of the other national banks currently responsible for NREGA related payments.

    3. Have one person responsible from each panchayat, who looks after the payment related

    aspects. This person will help the locals to fill in the form and he will submit the form

    himself. This will help only if a separate counter is made for NREGA related transactions in

    each bank branch. Separate staff should be appointed by the government, who will be taking

    care of NREGA related transactions. This will also help in negating all the troubles caused

    due to illiteracy at an administrative level

    Secondly, the Labour Material cost allocation ratio should be 50: 50 instead of 60: 40 this will reduce

    the problems faced by the authorities while allocating funds for a particular work.

    Thirdly, either converge all the schemes under NREGA and call it one or let NREGA be one separate

    scheme whose successful implementation does not depend on other schemes. This will help in

    increasing the ownership of the work done under NREGA, increased ownership will result in

    individuals taking more responsibility. This will improve the overall efficiency and productivity

    Fourthly, having regular awareness programmes will help in spreading the awareness about the

    various schemes under NREGA, the advantages, the benefits, the facilities to be provided at the work

    sites etc. The Pradhan (Panchayat President) should be appointed on salary. This will help reduce

    corruption at this level. Poultry farming can be added in the list of schemes as it is low on

    maintenance and does not require lot of grazing lands.

  • 15

    The no. of guaranteed days should increase to 200 in order to meet the requirements of the people

    who want to work. Some additional benefits can be given to the Job card holders who have consistent

    and appreciable records of work. Moreover the work done should determine the allocation of funds,

    not the no. of days worked. This will increase the efficiency levels.

    Training should be provided to all the stakeholders of NREGA about the implementation and also the

    responsibilities associated with it. Publications in the form of handbooks and also postings on the

    internet will help address the problem of unavailability of authentic information which will be

    acceptable to all.

  • 16

    9. References

    Chopra, Kanchan and Dasgupta, Poornima (2002) in Policy Implications of Common Pool Resource Knowledge

    in India, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.

    Marothia, Dinesh K 2002 Introduction and Overview in Marothia, Dinesh K (ed) in Marothia, Dinesh K (ed.)

    Institutionalizing Common Pool Resources concept publishers New Delhi.

    Singh, Katar (2002) Integrating Common Pool Resources Management with Rural Development Programmes

    in Marothia, Dinesh K (ed) Institutionalizing Common Pool Resources concept publishers New Delhi.

    Jodha, N.S. (2002) Decline of Rural Commons Role of Population Growth and Public Policies in Marothia,

    Dinesh K (ed.) Institutionalizing Common Pool Resources concept publishers New Delhi.

    Nadkarni, M V (2002), Commons, Development and the Poor in Marothia, Dinesh K (ed.) Institutionalizing

    Common Pool Resources, Concept Publishing Company, New Delhi.

    Rai, Parshuram 2010, in Dalits of Bundelkhand: Living with Hunger and Dying of NREGA Mafia, Centre for

    Environment and Food Security, Delhi.

    Further Readings

    Amir, Hasan (1972) in The Kols of Patha, Kitab Mahal, Allahabad.

    Deshingkar, Priya and Farrington, John (2006), 'Rural Labour Markets and Migration in South Asia: Evidence

    from India and Bangladesh', in World Development Report 2008: Agriculture for Development,

    Overseas Development Institute, London.

    Bassi, Nitin and Kumar, M. Dinesh 2010 in NREGA rural water management in India: Improving the welfare

    Effects.

    Parmarth Swayamsevi Sansthan, in Study and Effects of Mentha Farming in Bundelkhand, Centre for

    Contemporary Studies and Research, Lucknow.

    Rai, Parshuram 2010, Dalits of Bundelkhand: Living with Hunger and Dying of NREGA Mafia, Centre for

    Environment and Food Security, Delhi.

    Mahapatra, Richard with Sakhuja, Neha, with Das, Sandip and Singh, Supriya 2008 in The National Rural

    Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) Opportunities and Challenges, Centre for Science and

    Environment, New Delhi.

    Inter Ministerial Central Teams Report on Draught Migration Strategy for Bundelkhand region of Uttar

    Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

  • 17

    Guidelines on Convergence with NREGA, Department of Rural Development, Ministry of Rural Development,

    Government of India.

    Agrawal, Arun (2003) in Sustainable Governance of Common-Pool Resources: Context, Method and Politics,

    Department of Political Science, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.

    Concept Note for Project on Development of Bundelkhand Area (Silvi-Pasture Model of treatment of

    forest Land), Forest Department, Government of Madhya Pradesh.

    Guest Column by Jha, R with Gaiha, R and Shankar, S, on NREGA: An Employment Mirage.

    Websites visited for further reading and data collection

    http://www.environmentmagazine.org/Archives/.../July.../ostrom-full.html

    http://www.bandacity.com/

    http://bhaskargoswami.wordpress.com/2011/03/29/dependence-of-the-poor-on-commons-common-property-

    resources-cpr/

    http://www.bundelkhand.in/portal/tag/nrega

    http://bundelkhandinfo.org/

    http://apnabundelkhand.com/

    http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/content/joint-convergence-guideline-nrega-and-programmes-water-

    resources

    http://www.tikamgarh.nic.in

    http://www.chattarpur.nic.in

    http://www.jalaun.nic.in

    http://www.lalitpur.nic.in


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