The Hindu : National : Fit service delivery systems with rural job scheme: panel

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Sunday, Sep 10, 2006
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Fit service delivery systems with rural job scheme: panel

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Second Administrative Reforms Commission has suggested that various service delivery systems converge with the national employment guarantee scheme to improve life in rural households.

The objective of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) is to provide guaranteed employment for 100 days to every household. But this is not sufficient condition for livelihood security, according to the Commission report on the scheme, "Unlocking human capital — entitlements and governance — a case study."

A household requires health services, education, housing, food and nutrition and social security. The impact of the NREGA will be fully realised if all other service delivery mechanisms meet the expectations of the people, says M. Veerappa Moily, Commission chairman. While recommending that funds available with panchayats be also dovetailed with the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme for creating durable assets, the report suggests an easier solution of segregating the earthwork component of other programmes. For, substitution of employment guarantee scheme funds for other schemes is not permissible. This earthwork component could be executed under the NREGA and the rest taken up under regular departmental schemes. The challenges are to ensure perfect coordination and timing among the components of various works.

The earthwork components of assets creation under Bharat Nirman can also be converged with the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme to the extent possible. The Commission says the scope of these schemes is vast and a major part of the works undertaken will lie in the 200 backward districts notified in the first phase of NREGA implementation. Many of the works will involve unskilled labour in rural areas. This will not only lead to creation of durable assets but also ensure fiscal prudence. The report suggests that the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme be extended to the remaining areas in a phased manner.

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