Strengthening Role of Panchayati Raj Institutions in implementing National Rural Employment Guarantee Act in India

Objectives

• To study the role of panchayati raj institutions in implementation of National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) as envisaged.
• To study the status of implementation of NREGA and identify opportunities/gaps for strengthening of panchayati raj institutions so that their roles in implementation of NREGA can be strengthened.

Geographical spread

The study was carried out in 4 phases in 16 states in India. The survey covered 24 districts, 74 blocks, 563 gram panchyats and 5630 households.

Key areas/components

• Data collection done at 5 levels: state, district, block, gram panchayat and household by administering structured interviews and well designed sample surveys.
• Periodic monitoring of implementation of NREGA in 16 states on the basis of 6-monthly data generated from statistically sampled 5630 households spread over 24 districts of 16 states.
• Statistically validated data and participatory inputs from primary and other stakeholders analysed to undertake evidence based policy advocacy with parliamentarians, union/state ministers, state bureaucracy and district administration.
• This was the largest survey undertaken on this issue outside the government.
• Awareness campaigns to educate panchayati raj institutions and gram sabha members about detail state specific guidelines of NREGA.

Key outputs

Findings from the sample surveys and data analysis included:

• Panchayat- or sarpanch-centric implementation of NREGA
• Registration and issuance of job cards
• Identification and planning for work
• Availability of exclusive officials for implementation of NREGA
• Capacity building of panchayats and gram sabha members
• Transparency and accountability in NREGA implementation
• Wage payment and work sites
• Emerging trends and best practices
• Handholding and innovations are regularly undertaken to build models of implementation by panchayats

Year/period

2006-2008

Client

SIDA; SDC; CORDAID; DVV International; Ministry of Panchayati Raj and Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India and state governments