CLIENT LED PROJECT

Analysis of the Dobhas constructed under the

MGNREGA scheme in the Jamtara district of
Jharkhand

Submitted to-

Mrs. Aparajita sarangi, IAS

Joint Secretary, MGNREGA
Ministry of Rural Development
Government of India

Submitted by-
Ms. Shweta Shekhar
Masters candidate in Public Policy
National Law School of India University
MGNREGA: An Overview

The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), enacted on 25th August 2005 and
renamed the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) on 2nd
October 2009, is considered as one of the biggest social welfare programmes. MGNREGA aims
at generating 100 days of unskilled manual work out of 365 days for the willing adults of every
rural household, within 15 days of making such a requisition. Apart from providing livelihood to
the rural labourers, it also aims at developing rural infrastructure by creating productive and
durable assets, focusing basically on agricultural and allied activities. It focuses on alleviating
poverty and improving the skill base of rural labour through Bare Foot Technician project1. It
targets inclusive growth by giving special attention to the vulnerable sections like the Scheduled
Caste, Scheduled tribe, women2 and the physically disabled people. It promotes Mahatma
Gandhis vision of self-reliance. MGNREGA is expected to decrease distress migration and has a
multiplier effect on the rural economy. The MGNREGA scheme has become a powerful
instrument for inclusive growth in the rural areas through its impact on livelihood security and
social protection.

MGNREGA was for the first time notified experimentally in February in 200 odd districts across
India. The event marked a watershed in the right-based entitlement framework of the country
and for the first time provided a legal guarantee for wage employment. Currently, it covers 661
districts in India, catering to around 27 crore workers (As on 31st October 2016).

Apart from addressing poverty, the Act provides a mechanism for natural resource management
through works addressing the causes of chronic poverty like drought, flood, deforestation and
soil erosion. It promotes decentralisation and participatory planning by involving Gram Sabha
and Gram Panchayat. Through Ne-FMS (National electronic Fund Management System) and
Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), it is trying to address the issue of delayed payments by allowing
greater transparency in the flows of funds directly to the workers account. It promotes

1
BFT project has the objective to support the technical personnel at Gram Panchayat level for effective planning,
monitoring and supervision of works and thereby ensuring the quality of productive assets built under MGNREGA.
2
Provisions like priority for women in the ratio of one third of total workers (Schedule (6)); equal wages for men
and women (Schedule (34)); and creches for the children of women workers (Schedule (28)) were made in the Act,
with the view of ensuring that rural women benefit from the scheme in a certain manner.
transparency and accountability through Social Auditing. It is a great example of proactive
disclosure of information through its Management Information System (MIS)3.

MGNREGA is in accordance with Article 434 by empowering every rural adult labourer with the
right to demand and receive work within 15 days. A labourer seeking livelihood is entitled to
unemployment allowance in case he is not provided with work within 15 days of receipt of his
application seeking work. This is the only law in the country that is not budget constrained and is
not supply driven.

In 2016, Geo MGNREGA has been introduced for mapping of assets created using GPS-enabled
mobile applications. This will ensure better monitoring, recording and terrain mapping for future
development works.

MGNREGA has successfully completed 10 years. In all these years the total expenditure on this
programme has been rupees 3.14 lakh crore and has generated work of 1980 crore person days
(As on 2nd February 2016). The programme has lifted lakhs of people out of poverty, though
many lacunas still exist in it. According to the Rural Development Ministry, out of all the
workers benefited under the scheme, the percentage of Scheduled Caste workers has consistently
been about 20 per cent and of Scheduled Tribe workers has been about 17 per cent. The present
government which initially showed little hostility towards this programme has now, however,
hailed the decade of completion of this scheme as a cause for national pride and celebration.
During the Union Budget Session 2017, MGNREGA has gathered huge appreciations from the
Prime Minister for the work it has performed in the last two years. The budgetary provision of
Rs.38,500 crores under MGNREGA in 2016-17 has been increased to Rs. 48,000 crores in 2017-
18, the highest ever allocation for MGNREGA.

MGNREGA recognises right to work as fundamental to lead a life of dignity. It has the potential
to transform wage employment into self-employment.

3
There has been digitisation of all the processes in MGNREGAright from a worker registering demand for work, to
work allotment, to finally getting wages for completed works. Another notable feature of the MIS is the availability
of information through online reports at various levels of disaggregation. This has enabled any citizen to monitor
the implementation of the programme and has consequently charted a new paradigm of transparency since the
enactment of the Right to Information (RTI) Act. Individual worker details from around 2.5 lakh gram panchayats
are available in the MGNREGA MIS.
4
Article 43 of the Indian Constitution talks of right to work as a non-justiciable right.
Works permitted under MGNREGA

There are basically four categories of work permitted under MGNREGA:

1. Public works relating to natural resources management to promote ecologically

sustainable rural development.
2. Creation of Individual Assets for vulnerable sections like the Schedule Castes and
Scheduled Tribes, beneficiaries of Indira Aawaas Yojana, and even the small and the
marginalised farmers.
3. Common infrastructure for livelihood activities of self-help groups
4. Rural infrastructure liked allweather roads and sanitary works.

Natural Resource Management (NRM)

Natural resources (land, water, forest, etc.) are pretty basic to the livelihoods of the rural poor.
The lack of investment and poor husbandry are gradually reducing the production potential of
these resources. Around 65 per cent of the agricultural land in India is rain-fed that is, without
any source of irrigation. Over exploitation of ground water has led to water scarcity. The
majority of the districts shortlisted under MGNREGA are rain-fed and poverty stricken. Rainfall
is quite high in these areas, yet water is not available for irrigation. High rainfall and a complex
ecology make these regions potential engines of future growth as a wide variety of trees and
crops can be grown and complex farming systems are feasible. But this requires an integrated
approach to resource management.

Uncontrolled, unplanned and unscientific use of natural resources results in their decline. The
consequences are soil erosion, siltation of water bodies, less infiltration and the fast disposal of
runoff causing floods and droughts resulting in low productivity and the poor health of people
and cattle. Therefore, managing natural resources calls for their rational utilisation to optimise
production and minimise risk.

Natural Resource Management (NRM) demonstrates ways to promote the development of

natural resources leading to equitable and sustainable economic growth, ensuring household food
security and eliminating mass poverty in the region. An integrated approach to NRM, focusing
on the efficient management of soil, water and vegetation resources, becomes extremely
important in this situation. NRM not only helps to optimise and increase the productivity of land
and water resources but also ensures household food security and eliminates mass poverty in the
region. It aims at generating sustainable livelihoods, enhancing the productivity of land and
restoring the ecological balance with a special focus on the SCs, STs and the small and marginal
farmers. The monitoring and planning framework for NRM related works will be under three
flagship programmes, Mahatma Gandhi NREGA, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana
(PMKSY) and Integrated Watershed Management Programme IWMP. Recently, the Ministry of
Rural Development in collaboration with the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development
and Ganga Rejuvenation and the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has developed an
actionable Framework: Mission Water Conservation, to make the villages drought proof.

The choice of works mentioned in the Act includes all components of land and water resource
development that help in addressing the causes of chronic poverty such as drought, deforestation
and soil erosion like Water conservation and water harvesting, drought proofing, including
afforestation and tree plantation so as to enhance the productivity and strengthen the livelihoods
of the vulnerable sections. There are 173 works permitted under MGNREGA where 100 are
permitted under NRM alone, out of which 70 are water related. Expenditure on NRM related
works has crossed 63 per cent in 2016-2017. About 61.5 per cent of expenditure on the works
related to NRM so far: 58 per cent was the achievement last FY 2015-16 (As on 17th January
2017). At least 65 per cent of expenditure is on NRM works from FY 2017-18 in the water
stressed and irrigation deprived districts & blocks. According to the Union Budget 2017-2018, in
order to double farmers income, about 10 lakh Dobhas are expected to be completed by March
2017 against the targeted 5 lakh Dobhas. This will contribute greatly to drought proofing of
Gram Panchayats in India.
Table 1: MGNREGA activities and key environmental services
MGNREGA Activities Local Environmental Services Regional and Global
Environmental Services

Water conservation and Groundwater recharge, soil Water conservation

harvesting moisture retention and protection
(erosion control), flood control
(reduced risk), providing
irrigation and drinking water and
soil quality (nutrient cycling).

Irrigation provisioning and Providing irrigation, improved -

improvement agriculture and livelihoods,
increased crop production.

Renovation of traditional water Improved storage capacity, Water conservation

bodies irrigation availaibility,
groundwater recharge, soil
quality (nutrient cycling),
biomass and crop production

Land development Land reclaimed for agriculture, -

improved irrigation availability,
hence agricultural and livelihood
improvement.

Drought proofing Land reclaimed for agriculture, Water and biodiversity

improved irrigation availability, conservation
hence agriculture and livelihood
improvement.

Flood control Groundwater recharge, soil Water conservation

moisture retention and protection
(erosion control) and flood
control (reduced risk)

Source: EPW
MGNREGA in Jharkhand

In Jharkhand, the problem of employment insecurity is very serious because of the lack of capital
resources in the rural areas resulting in a mass of agricultural labourers and marginal farmers in
need of additional employment opportunities.

With the universalization of the scheme, MGNREGA works have been undertaken in almost all
the Gram Panchayats across the state. This is evident by the fact that the number of Panchayats
where no works have been undertaken is decreasing over the years. In the current financial year,
14.2 lakh households have been provided with employment, generating about 512 lakh man-
days. In this period a total of 20.13 lakh individuals worked under the program. Many people
from the vulnerable groups have benefited out of this program. Out of the total man-days, 32.54
per cent employment was provided to Schedule Tribe communities, whereas, 12.55 per cent and
35.3 per cent employment were provided to Schedule Caste and women respectively. Up till
now, a total of 18,651 households in Jharkhand has been provided with 100 days of employment
in 2016-17. The year also witnessed a rise in the average wage rate provided under the program.
Compared to the average wage rate of Rs 121.85 in the year 2011-12, the average wage rate
received by the workers rose to Rs. 166.985.

NRM in Jharkhand

In Jharkhand, the problem of employment insecurity is very serious because of the lack of capital
resources in the rural areas resulting in a mass of agricultural labourers and marginal farmers in
need of additional employment opportunities. It falls in the Agro-climatic Zone VII which is
characterised by subsistence agriculture; declining availability and control over common
property resources and forest resources; deficit-induced indebtedness leading to the loss of
control over private resources; and dependence on low-return seasonal labour migration. The
downward spiral of low productivity leads to poor husbandry, which further reduces productivity
resulting in widespread resource degradation and impoverishment of the people. An integrated

5
Jharkhand Economic Survey 2016-17, planning cum Finance Department, finance Division, Government of
Jharkhand,
https://finance.jharkhand.gov.in/pdf/budget2017_18/JHARKHAND_ECONOMIC_SURVEY_2016_17_FINAL.pdf
approach to NRM, focusing on the efficient management of soil, water and vegetation resources,
becomes extremely important in this situation. INRM not only helps to optimise and increase the
productivity of land and water resources but also ensures household food security and eliminates
mass poverty in the region. A number of initiatives have been undertaken under the NRM
programme:

Water Harvesting, Irrigation and Land Development Project, supported by Department of

Tribal Welfare, Government of Jharkhand
Rainwater Harvesting and Agricultural Method (5per cent Seepage Model) supported by
Department of Tribal Welfare, Government of Jharkhand
National Horticulture Mission Programme supported by Department of Agriculture and
Cane Development, Government of Jharkhand
Integrated Watershed Management Programme supported by Rural Development
Department, Government of Jharkhand
Animal Husbandry and Poultry Project in partnership with Jharkhand State Implementing
Agency and Integrated Tribal Development Society, respectively.

In the Financial year 2015-17, 34 per cent of total expenditure has been taken as Public Works
relating to NRM under MGNREGA against the 38 per cent of the total expenditure in
Jharkhand6. The below graph clearly shows an increase in the work related to NRM activities
over the years.

6
The expenditure on all works MGNREGA (in crore) is Rs. 1221.30 crores while the expenditure on NRM works Rs.
979.21 crores in Jharkhand.
 80
70
60
50
40
30
20 % of NRM
Works(Public +
10 Individual)
0
2016-17 2015-16 2014-15 2013-14 2012-13
Source: MIS, MGNREGA
Figure 1: Per cent of NRM related works in Jharkhand has increased over the years as evident
from the graph

In 2016-17, more than 10 lakh MGNREGA schemes were planned out of which 1.8 lakh
schemes are for water harvesting and conservation. A large number of the planned schemes were
for enhancing the livelihoods of vulnerable families. This is a big departure from the previous
years in which the planned schemes primarily comprised of kuchcha roads, large Dobhas and
irrigation wells. About 50,000 schemes for the renovation of traditional water bodies have been
selected for implementation through the irrigation and soil conservation departments. The NRM
related works in Jharkhand is higher than the national average.

90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Jharkhand National Average
Source: MIS, MGNREGA
Figure 2: Percentage of NRM works over the years in Jharkhand is higher than the national
average
Also, the demand for creating assets relating to natural resource management is the highest.
Under this category, a total of 120088 assets has been created, while works on 109167 assets are
underway. Assets like the construction of wells and Dobhas were high on demand, while the
construction of traditional water bodies like Dobhas was also demanded by the villagers.

It can be observed from figure 3 that most of the works related to NRM activities are water
conservation with 87801 completed works while another 72858 are ongoing. Apart from this,
watershed management and land development activities are also being undertaken under the
MGNREGA scheme in Jharkhand in the year 2015-16.

100000
90000
80000
70000
60000
50000
40000 Completed Works
30000
20000 On-going Works
10000 Approved Works
0

Source: MIS, MGNREGA

Figure 3: Kind of works related to NRM activities done under MGNREGA scheme in Jharkhand in
2015-16

DOBHA: Rain Water Harvesting

Jharkhand receives an average annual rainfall of 1300 mm and only 20 percent of the rain water
is utilised due to the unusual and small size, rocky and uninterrupted land. Water is not a
problem but management is. Jharkhand state has rain-fed and one-crop cultivation. The
remaining rain water fills the soil with the fertiliser. Factors such as low crop and livestock
productivity, water short age for drinking and irrigation and scarcity of fuel wood and grass lead
to rural poverty. This can be linked to degradation of natural resources such as soil, water
resources, grazing lands and forests. Soil erosion and loss of soil fertility, silting of water bodies
and low water percolation rates, excessive groundwater extraction, overgrazing, and over
harvesting of forests are all factors that result in low crop and livestock production and water
scarcity.

Within the natural resource management, the most critical component is water conservation as
Jharkhand receives high rainfall but there is lack mechanism to hold the rainwater. This gives
room for better water use through water conservation technologies. Therefore, the MGNREGA
Commissioner of Jharkhand Mr Siddharth Tripathi in line with the Prime Ministers thrust on
more crop per drop has initiated the construction of Dobhas or Dobhas Proposal is to construct
water harvesting Dobhas for irrigation as well ground water recharging. Under the scheme, the
beneficiary applies for a Dobha, which has to be sanctioned by the state government. The rural
household can approach the Gram Panchayat and demand for a farm pond. In order to facilitate
the construction of the Dobhas, the scheme has been converged with Pradhan Mantri Krishi
Sinchayi Yojana in Jharkhand.

There are four sizes 15x15x10, 20x20x10, 25x25x10 and 30x30x10 (all in feet) that are to be
constructed over farmers land. The standard dimension is 30x30x30 feet Dobhas. The state
government shall provide 90 per cent of the estimated fund, while the remaining 10 per cent of
the expense is to be borne by the farmer. The farmers job is only to get the embankments
dressed up and remove excessive soil from the spot so that it does not clog the water body during
rain. First 30 per cent of the fund is paid upfront and the remaining 60 per cent to be paid after
the completion of the work. The construction of Dobhas comes under Category A of
MGNREGA.

As per latest figures available, at least 80767 Dobhas have been completed, while work on
another 106500 is underway. The total number of applications received from the farmers and
other beneficiaries is over a lakh now and the money has been transferred to them in more than
85,000 cases, according to the State officials.
Source: DRDA, Ranchi

Table 2: Jharkhand Farm Ponds (as on 16/01/2017)

Target (FY 16-17) 128132

Ongoing 106500

Completed 80767

Work completed (in per cent) 63.03

Source: DRDA, MGNREGA division, Jamtara

Performance of MGNREGA (special focus on NRM related works) in

Jamtara, Jharkhand
Profile of Jamtara District

Jamtara district is one of the twenty-four districts of Jharkhand. It is bounded by Deoghar district
in north, Dumka and West Bengal in the east, Dhanbad and West Bengal in the south and Giridih
in the west. It has an area of 1802 sq. km and population of 5,97,287 persons (Census of India,
2001). The district comprises six development blocks viz. Kundahit, Nala, Jamtara, Narayanpur,
Karmatar and Fatehpur. There are 118 Gram Panchayats with 1161 villages.

The town is the administrative headquarters of this district. The district is situated between
2310 and 2405 north latitudes and 8630 and 8715 east longitudes. The district was carved
out on 26 April 2001 by separating four blocks-Kundhit, Nala, Jamtara and Narayanpurof the
erstwhile Dumka district. Earlier, it was a sub-division. Jamtara district consists of six Blocks.
Agriculture in the district is rainfed with no major river. It is mainly dependent on timely and
adequate rainfall. Dryland crops constitute the bulk of the agricultural produce and inadequate
rainfall frequently results in crop losses. Due to lack of irrigation, most of the lands remain
barren. Jamtara was one of the 200 most backward districts covered in the first phase of 2006
under NREGA scheme. In 2006 the Central government named Jamtara one of the country's 250
most backward districts (out of a total of 640).

Topography of Jamtara District

Around 60 per cent of the area is upland and medium land with 40 per cent quality paddy land. It
is highly vulnerable to rainfall fluctuations, low irrigation and climate variability due to mining,
quarrying, urbanisation and industrial activities. There are inequalities and differences in
ownership and control of natural resources particularly by the community and small and
marginal farmers. The type of soil is red. The total land under agriculture is 99535 hectares.
Total irrigated area is 11400 hectares. The rest of 88135 hectares of land is rainfed.

Owing to its position near West Bengal and hilly landscape of the region climatic condition is
slightly different from the rest of the state. The climate is tropical with temperature varying
between 40 degree Celsius and 19 degree Celsius. The district receives 1354 mm of rainfall
annually on an average. The driest month is December. There is 2 mm of precipitation in
December. The greatest amount of precipitation occurs in July, with an average of 308 mm. With
an average of 32.4 C, May is the warmest month. The lowest average temperatures in the year
occur in January when it is around 18.2 C.

MGNREGA in Jamtara

There are 114152 total job card holders. The number of SC job card holders is 11883 while that
of ST is 44158. Total employment days generated is 2107254. There are 85398 total active
workers. Jamtara has high ST population. It has been observed that districts with high SC and ST
population generally show the high participation of women. Jamtara defies this general trend,
and that made it an interesting case to probe (table 2). The ST population is 41.82 per cent with
58.22 per cent as average person days.

While the average work participation by women is only 23.09 per cent and the share of women
in work days is even lower, that is, 14.4 per cent. The average person days per household in
MGNREGA is 36.7 per cent.

Table 3: Demographic and other features of the population in MGNREGA Person-days and share
of SC, ST, Others and Women in Total person days in Jamtara (2014-2015)
Rural Population 70.2%
SC population 5.75%

ST population 41.82%
 Literacy rate (overall) 64.75%

Literacy rate (males) 76.75%

Literacy rate (females) 51.72%

Rural female workforce participation rate 23.09%

Sex ratio 972

Average person days per household in MGNREGA 36.7%

Percentage share of SCs in person days 10.61%

Percentage share of STs in person days 58.22%

Percentage share of women in person days 14.4%

Source: DRDA, Jamtara

18-30 Registered Persons since

Beginning
18-30 Employed Persons

31-40 Registered Persons since

Beginning
31-40 Employed Persons

41-50 Registered Persons since

Beginning
41-50 Employed Persons

51-60 Registered Persons since

Beginning
51-60 Employed Persons

61-80 Registered Persons since

Beginning
61-80 Employed Persons
Age wise distribution of workers in Jamtara

Source: MIS, MGNREGA

Figure 4: Age wise distribution of the labourers: 83 per cent of the workers fall in the age group of
31-60 years in the Jamtara district of Jharkhand
Sample village selection

In Jamtara district, NREGA activities were implemented in different villages in different years,
beginning from 2006. The implementation of the activities did not follow any pattern because it
was mainly administrative planning and people's participation that determined it. This makes it
difficult to stratify the process. Since the main objective was to measure services provided by
NREGA activities (especially NRM related) the approach adopted was to select villages where
the dominant activities were implemented in a large number in earlier years.

Analysis of the interventions under MGNREGA Scheme in Jamtara

Impact on the ground water level

800

700

600

500

400

300

200

100 Pre-MGNREGA
Post-MGNREGA
0
Jamtara Nala Fatehpur
Source: DRDA, MGNREGA division, Jamtara
Figure 5: Impacts on Ground water level and area irrigated pre-MGNREGA and post
MGNREGA- depth of borewells (in feet) has decreased over the years.

Rapid Assessment-Approach and Methods: The impact and environmental services of the
activities were assessed by comparing the pre- and post-NREGA status of natural resources (for
example, depth of the borewell). Figure 5 clearly shows how the depth of borewells has
decreased over the years. Three blocks were studied to know the impact of the MGNREGA
interventions. It was found that the Nala block in Jamtara had a significant decrease in the depth
of borewell post the MGNREGA interventions from 350 feet to just 80 feet in just 10 years.
Activities like Dobhas, afforestation, watershed management and other water conservation
activities under MGNREGA schemes have helped in increasing the groundwater table. A Similar
decrease in the depth of the borewells has been observed in the other two blocks Jamtara and
Fatehpur. Constructions of more Dobhas will help in further catalysing the water conservation in
the district. This will bring huge relief particularly to the small and the marginalised farmers in
the rainfed areas like Jamtara where there is hardly any significant source of irrigation available.

80

70

60

50

40
2014-15
30 2015-16

20

10

0
Water Watershed Irrigation Traditional Afforestation Land
conservation management water bodies development

Source: DRDA, Jamtara

Figure 6: Kind of NRM related work activities (both individual and community) permitted in
Jamtara in the financial year 2014-15 and 2015-16.

It can be observed that there has been a significant increase in the NRM related works in
Jamtara, especially in the area of water conservation with the commencement of construction of
the Dobhas. The figures are expected to increase further in the current financial year if the target
of ten thousand Dobhas is achieved before Monsoon, that is, by June 2017.
 First Phase
Current Phase

Source: DRDA, Jamtara

Figure 7: Number of Dobhas constructed in Jamtara in the first phase and the current phase

Analysis of Dobhas in Jamtara

4301 Dobhas have been constructed in the initial phase while in the current phase 1009 Dobhas
have been constructed. Thus a total of 5310 Dobhas has been created so far. 4960 more Dobhas
need to be constructed to achieve the target of 10000 by 15th June 2017.
Overexploitation of groundwater and lack of rainwater conservation activities have led water
scarcity and lack of employment opportunities in the rural areas. Droughts and lack of climate
resilience further aggravate the problem causing rural to urban migration. Most of the labourers
migrate to Kolkata which is the nearest city to Jamtara.
With the commencement of construction of Dobhas, more livelihood opportunities are available
to the rural households. Fewer labourers are willing to migrate to the urban area in search of
livelihood opportunities. Moreover, the villagers are optimistic of the ground water table going
up.
Regular desilting and applying the silt to the crop fields will improve the soil fertility which has
degraded over the years due to deforestation, mining and industrialisation. There is also
provision for fisheries in the same pond which can ensure farmers a decent living.

But, MGNREGA fails to attract the rural youth in Jamtara as the present daily wage fixed at Rs
167 is significantly lower than the market wage rate which is Rs 230. The Dobhas are often not
fenced.In many places where there is smooth soil, often children slip while playing and die.
The greatest issue with the Dobhas is that the small farmers who have small landholdings are
less willing to offer their land for the construction of Dobhas.
Villagers also complain that the Dobhas are not very useful as it starts drying up beyond the
month of September, making the small and marginalised farmers helpless. Therefore most of the
farmers prefer tube wells over Dobhas.
Also, working conditions need to be made more conducive by enforcing and strengthening
existing provisions and adding new ones. For example, breastfeeding breaks for lactating women
and flexibility in working hours may be considered. Crche provision may be linked with the
Anganwadi or Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) to make them more practical.

Conclusion

Sustainable development is not possible without proper management of the available natural
resources because the majority of the population in our operational area are dependent on the
available natural resources to a great extent. MGNREGA is also said to have changed the face of
whole rural labour and rural India. Even the recent Human Development Report 20167 has hailed
the national rural employment guarantee programme as a prime example of combining social
protection with appropriate employment strategies. In places where it was effectively
implemented, it empowered people, and in places where it was not implemented effectively, it
gave powers to labourers to demand higher wages. It has given dignity to them and has acted as a
market mechanism. This legislation has been bringing about a silent revolution in rural areas of
the country. The Act for the first time brings the role of the state as a provider of livelihood
within the reach of the participants/beneficiaries themselves. By design, it is different from any
employment generation scheme that has been previously implemented.

Policy makers must make use of this opportunity to deploy government investments under
various poverty alleviation schemes to develop these lands and generate sustainable livelihoods
for the poor communities, primarily depending on them. Potential beneficiaries include both the
landless wage earners and owners of the resources themselves. In addition to wage-earning
opportunities, the landless benefit from non-farm activities that flourish following the

7
http://www.in.undp.org/content/india/en/home/library/hdr.html
development of natural resources. Asset creation and an increase in productivity will definitely
help the population relying on natural resources to cross the poverty line.

MGNREGA has witnessed a proliferation of experiments, mostly in better-governed States, from

creating improved financial management systems to using technology-enabled banking solutions
like smart cards, social audits and building grievance redressal systems. The focus must now be
on evaluating these experiments and drawing lessons to improve administration in the poorly
governed States like Jharkhand and Bihar.

NRM involves the development of natural resources taking into account the relationship between
them as per the needs and priorities of the people.

When the level of awareness about the details of provisions is more, the implementation of the
programme will be better.

But a key constraint to building high-quality assets is the lack of technical support to
communities as input to planning MGNREGA works (e.g., through resource mapping exercises)
as well as the shortage of technical staff in designing and supervising works. A large number of
works, particularly those related to water conservation, remain incomplete, either due to lack of
technical support to GPS or the onset of monsoons.

Thanks to the Dobhas, the total irrigated area of the district has increased. But more than this
kind of obvious natural outcomes, there are scores of other intangible benefits that the Dobhas
gave the farmers. Farmers are able to irrigate their fields using power to pull water up the bore
wells also recharging the groundwater table.

As the Dobhas retain water for the majority part of the year, the increasing soil moisture helped
maintain ecological balance, villages have seen an increase in biodiversity rather it is all
coming back, especially the agriculture friendly insects and birds.

Farmers from severely drought-hit areas are considering constructing similar Dobhas. So can
more farmers from other parts of India, whether or not facing drought as it is not just for
generating employment but it also helps in maintaining the ecological balance and social sanctity
in these years of incremental pollution.
Bibliography

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Appendix 1: Dobhas under construction in Jamtara
 Appendix 2: Fieldwork in the Bewa Village (Block: Jamtara)

In the above picture, Ms Shweta Shekhar was seen interacting with Mr Jaydev Paria (an
ST labourer) who worked for constructing a Dobha for Ms Parvati Murmu. As on, 7th
March 2017; he had already worked for 7 weeks at a daily wage rate of Rs. 167. He has
an account in The State Bank of India (Bewa Branch) and claimed that he did not receive
his dues till then.
 Appendix 3: Case Study (Mr Suraj Murmu)

Suraj Murmu, a resident of Bewa Village, was a marginal farmer who barely managed
sustenance due to unsteady and unpredictable sources of irrigation and oscillating
rainfall. Due to MGNREGA, he benefitted immensely as a Dobha (40x40x10 ft) was
constructed on his farmland. Not only did he have a steady crop cultivation but he now
also sells his produce at a local mandi in Asansol (40 km from Jamtara) which has also
helped him increase his income and standard of living significantly. The best part of this
is that he cultivates not only paddy but also a variety of vegetables now generating a
steady income all year long.