dynamics of economic, social and political power in vulnerable rural labour market: a case study of...

Dynamics of Economic, Social and Political Power in Vulnerable Rural

Labour Market: A Case Study of MGNREGS Workers in Punjab

Professor Balwinder Singh TiwanaDeptt. of Economics

Punjabi University, Patiala, INDIA

• MGNREGS – Right driven largest schemes impact on poverty and social securityMGNREGS – Right driven largest schemes impact on poverty and social security• Financial Structure – up to 2015 – 60% for wages and 40% for material and now this is 51% and 49%Financial Structure – up to 2015 – 60% for wages and 40% for material and now this is 51% and 49%• Over 50 million beneficiaries in India but expenditure varies between 0.5 to 1% of GDP Over 50 million beneficiaries in India but expenditure varies between 0.5 to 1% of GDP • Impact of wages and on women – increase in wages over the year in 19 states , and in Punjab wage Impact of wages and on women – increase in wages over the year in 19 states , and in Punjab wage

rate increased from Rs. 101 in 2005-06 to 210 in 2015 (Highest in state of Haryana Rs. 251 than in rate increased from Rs. 101 in 2005-06 to 210 in 2015 (Highest in state of Haryana Rs. 251 than in Kerala 229). Now from 1-1-2011 NREGS link with CPI-ALKerala 229). Now from 1-1-2011 NREGS link with CPI-AL

• Overall in Punjab the women participation varies between 16% to 43% on the basis of women Overall in Punjab the women participation varies between 16% to 43% on the basis of women percentage (MGNREGA Sameeksha) percentage (MGNREGA Sameeksha)

• Scheme reduced gap in wage rate for men and women (NSSO)Scheme reduced gap in wage rate for men and women (NSSO)

Table 1 : Demand of Work and Employment Generation under MGNREGS

Year No. of HHs Demanded

Employment

HHs provided Employment

(%)

%age of HHs who availed 100 days of employment

%age of SC/ST

Beneficiary

%age of Women

Beneficiary

2009-10 52864608 99.36 13.48 51.19 48.10

2010-11 55763244 98.55 10.12 51.48 47.73

2011-12 50380213 99.03 7.81 40.25 48.17

2012-13 50411455 96.33 9.94 38.23 52.13

2013-14 51765569 92.12 9.65 39.79 52.84

2014-15 45899635 86.01 4.41 39.56 55.03

Source: Calculated from data available at www.nrega.nic.in visited on 11 May 2015

http://www.nrega.nic.in/

• Rural labour market – 61.79 lakh rural workers (Census 2011)Rural labour market – 61.79 lakh rural workers (Census 2011)

• Working of Gram PanchayatWorking of Gram Panchayat

Table 2: Acceptability and Spread of NREGS in Punjab

Year Applied for job cards as

%age of total rural

workers

Job cards issued as %age of total rural workers*

%age of workers demanded work as of total rural

workers*

%age of workers worked under

MGNREGS as of total rural workers*

2012-13 15.01 14.92 4.86 4.67

2013-14 17.62 17.30 9.17 8.00

2014-15 18.03 17.49 6.79 5.44

Source: www.nrega.nic.in visited on 7 May 2015

Table 3 : Gram Panchayats with Nil Expenditure on NREGS in Punjab

YearGram Panchayats with Nil Expenditure

No. %age of Total GPs 13053)

2012-13 7612 58.32

2013-14 6174 47.30

2014-15 5989 45.88

Source: www.nrega.nic.in visited on 11 May 2015



• About 50% of rural Punjab is out of this scheme and 80% workers are not coveredTable 4: Amount Disbursed as Labour Cost in Punjab

Year Total Accounts (Bank + Post Office)

Amount Disbursed (Rs.)

Per Account Amount Distributed (Rs.)

Per Year

2012-13 875667 857959048(0.02%)*

979.78

2013-14 951147 1631640440(3.64%)*

1715.45

2014-15 953735 1514934842(0.03%)*

1588.42

*This is percentage of total sanctioned amount for labour as wagesSource: www.nrega.nic.in visited on 11 May 2015Note: Figures in parentheses indicate percentages.

Table 5: Participation of SCs and Women in NREGS in Punjab

Year SCs worked as %age of total workers worked(Person-Days)

%age of HHs reached 100 days limit

%age of women worked as of total

workers worked under MGNREGS (person-

days)Households Person-Days

SCs as %age of total SC households

worked

As %age of total households worked

2012-13 80.28 78.49 1.57 1.59 46.36

2013-14 77.42 76.91 3.01 3.00 52.73

2014-15 79.06 76.74 0.58 0.71 57.43

Note: HHs – Households, SCs – Scheduled CastesSource: (a) www.nrega.nic.in visited on 11 May 2015 (b) Census of India, 2011 at www.census 2011



http://www.census/

• Primary survey of 27 villages and 462 families • Beneficiary – highest coverage of BPL families 23.67%

• 69.66% females beneficiary.• 2014-15 – only 649 person – days per village (7 workers for 100 days per year).• The average per village – 1997 person – days (as per 2015-16 proposal).• Amount disbursed through bank and post office accounts – only 0.02 to 3.64 per cent of sanctioned

amount for wages.

Source: Field Survey 2014Note: Figures in parentheses indicate percentages.

462 (100)(100)

373(80.74)(100)

89(19.26)(100)

All

117(100)(25.32)

106(90.60)28.42

11 (9.40%)(12.36)

Others

100(100)(21.65)

80(80.00%)(21.45)

20(20.00%)(22.47)

APL

245(100)(53.03)

187(76.33)(50.13)

58(23.67%)(65.17)

BPL

TotalNon-BeneficiaryBeneficiaryDescription

Table 6 : Inclusiveness of NREGS on Basis of Categories

Social and Economic ImpactSocial and Economic Impact• Scheme beneficiaries – 71.91% have semi-pucca houses, 64% no separate kitchen, 43.2% no toilet, Scheme beneficiaries – 71.91% have semi-pucca houses, 64% no separate kitchen, 43.2% no toilet,

main source of drinking water is tape or pump, 29.12% have their own electricity connection, 58.95% main source of drinking water is tape or pump, 29.12% have their own electricity connection, 58.95% are illiterate or educated up to primary.are illiterate or educated up to primary.

• Scheme beneficiaries – 79.44% are casual labourers and 96.26% are in informal sector.Scheme beneficiaries – 79.44% are casual labourers and 96.26% are in informal sector.• All beneficiaries have job cards but 6.74% paid money to get job card. All most 74% beneficiaries have All beneficiaries have job cards but 6.74% paid money to get job card. All most 74% beneficiaries have

blank job cards (GPs not entering due to legal action).blank job cards (GPs not entering due to legal action).• 93.26% beneficiaries did not get work within 15 days.93.26% beneficiaries did not get work within 15 days.

Table 16: Different Procedural Activities of MGNREGS Workers

Description Applied for Work Got Work with in 15 days after application

Get Unemployment Allowance

Yes 78 (87.64) 5 (5.62) 0 (0)

No 11 (12.36) 83 (93.26) 89 (100)

Don't Know 0 (0) 01 (1.12) 0 (0)

All 89 (100) 89 (100) 89 (100)

Source: Field Survey 2014Note: Figures in parentheses indicate percentages

Table 17: Number of Days of Work Generated under MGNREGS

No of Days No of HHs Total person-days of employment generated

Nil 06 (6.74) 0

upto 20 65 (73.03) 1131

21-40 16 (17.98) 520

41-80 01 (1.12) 62

81-100 01 (1.12) 100

All 89 (100) 1813

Average no of day worked per worker 20.37


Average days of work per worker – 20.37 person daysAverage days of work per worker – 20.37 person days

• On an average on the basis of minimum wage rate a worker should get Rs. 4286 during the On an average on the basis of minimum wage rate a worker should get Rs. 4286 during the year but per worker amount to be paid is only Rs. 3916 and out of this to be paid amount only year but per worker amount to be paid is only Rs. 3916 and out of this to be paid amount only Rs. 1209 per worker has been given without delay i.e. within 15 days of work done. Rs. 1209 per worker has been given without delay i.e. within 15 days of work done.

• The wage gap of on the basis of gender reduced and stagnation or declining in real wage The wage gap of on the basis of gender reduced and stagnation or declining in real wage checked.checked.

Table 18: Average Work Rate, Per Day

Wage Rate (Rs.) No. of HHs Average wage rate (Rs.)

upto 100 01 (1.12) 100

101-150 07 (7.87) 138

151-200 62 (69.67) 200

Don’t work 06 (6.74) 0

Don’t get wages 19 (21.35) 0

All 89 (100) 190.94 (13366/70)


Table 19 : Days of Employment and Amount Received by Worker, Mean Value

Description All

Average days of employment generated 20.22

Actual average amount of wages per worker received with out any delay 1209.77

Minimum average amount of wages should be received 4286

As per information average amount to be received per worker 3916.82

• Social audit – 79% of beneficiaries either do not know or do not care about social audit.Social audit – 79% of beneficiaries either do not know or do not care about social audit.• As per the provisions almost no facilities available at work site.As per the provisions almost no facilities available at work site.

Table 20 : Got Payment within 15 Days of Completion of Work

Description No of HHs got Payment within 15 days

Complaint of Corruption

Awareness about Social Audit

Yes 15 (16.85) 02 (2.25) 19 (21.35)

No 74 (83.15) 65 (73.03) 40 (44.94)

Don't care as long as we get work

00 (00) 06 (6.74) 30 (33.71)

All 89 (100) 89 (100) 89 (100)


Table 21: Facilities at Worksite

Description Safe Drinking

Water

First Aid Crèches Shade for rest

No Facility

Yes 10 (11.24) 03 (3.37) 0(0) 0(0) 76 (85.39)

No 79 (88.76) 86 (96.63) 89 (100) 89 (100) 13 (14.61)

All 89 (100) 89 (100) 89 (100) 89 (100) 89 (100)


• Most of the households know about muster rolls but these are not available at work site.Most of the households know about muster rolls but these are not available at work site.

• This scheme empowered the workers socially and empowered the women.This scheme empowered the workers socially and empowered the women.

• Increased the reapaying capacity of poor and wage rate.Increased the reapaying capacity of poor and wage rate.

• Adverse impact of scheme – shortage of labour, women health, health of children and education of poor households.


89 (100)89 (100)89 (100)89 (100)All

43 (48.31)78 (87.64)56 (62.92)46 (51.69)No

46 (51.69)11 (12.36)33 (37.08)43 (48.31)Yes

Increase in Wage Rate

Repaying Capacity of Debt

Women Empowerment

Social Empowerment

Description

Table 23: Socio-Economic Impact of NREGS


89 (100)89 (100)89 (100)89 (100)All

57 (64.04)46 (51.69)19 (21.35)80 (89.88)No

32 (35.96)43 (48.31)70 (78.65)9 (10.11)Yes

Adverse impact on education of poor households due to

availability of work

Adverse impact on health of children due to lack of

worksite facilities

Bad impact on women health due to hard working conditions

Shortage of labour in agriculture and

industry

Description

Table 24: Adverse Impact of MGNREGS

Social Political ProcessesSocial Political Processes

• Gram Panchayat – political institutions and main implementing institutions of this schemeGram Panchayat – political institutions and main implementing institutions of this scheme

• Gram Sabha meetings and awareness about planning by Gram Panchayat – very low participation by male Gram Sabha meetings and awareness about planning by Gram Panchayat – very low participation by male and female labourers, almost awareness about planning.and female labourers, almost awareness about planning.

Table 25: Opinion of Beneficiaries regarding NREGS

Description Is Gram Panchayat is suitable for execution

of the NREGS

Are completed works useful?

Scheme should be continued in the

future

Do PRIs implement the

scheme properly

Is NREGS Transparent and

Accountable

Yes 57 (64.04) 69 (77.53) 87 (97.75) 34 (38.20) 27 (30.34)

No 32 (35.96) 20 (22.47) 02 (2.25) 55 (61.80) 62 (69.66)

All 89 (100) 89 (100) 89 (100) 89 (100) 89 (100)


Table 26: Panchayat Meetings and Participation of Members

Description Participating in Gram Sabha meetings Awareness about planning by GP

All Male Female All Male Female

Yes 09(10.11)

07(25.93)

02(3.22)

07(7.87)

05(18.52)

02(3.22)

No 80(89.89)

20(74.07)

60(96.77)

82(92.13)

22(81.48)

60(96.77)

All 89(100)

27(100)

62(100)

89(100)

27(100)

62(100)


• Unions of NREGS workers – Nrega Rozgar Prapat Union (NRPU) – CPI, Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union and Unions of NREGS workers – Nrega Rozgar Prapat Union (NRPU) – CPI, Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union and Central Indian Trade Union – CPI(M), Khet Mazoor Union – CPM (Punjab) and Punjab Dasta Front.Central Indian Trade Union – CPI(M), Khet Mazoor Union – CPM (Punjab) and Punjab Dasta Front.

• No union – BSP, INC, BJP and SAD in Punjab.No union – BSP, INC, BJP and SAD in Punjab.

• NRPU – Moga, Faridkot, Muktsar, Mansa and Patiala.NRPU – Moga, Faridkot, Muktsar, Mansa and Patiala.

• Punjab Khet Mazoor Union and CITU – Hoshiarpur, Sangrur, Patiala and Jalandhar.Punjab Khet Mazoor Union and CITU – Hoshiarpur, Sangrur, Patiala and Jalandhar.

• Khet Mazoor Union – Tarn Taran, Amritsar, Gurdaspur.Khet Mazoor Union – Tarn Taran, Amritsar, Gurdaspur.

• 1/3 NREGS workers – Union members and majority of females are members.1/3 NREGS workers – Union members and majority of females are members.

Table 27: Unionisation and Organisation of NREGS Workers

Description No. of Workers members of any Union

Participating in Rallies/Dharna

Aware about the Unions

Total Male Female Total Male Female

Yes 29 (32.58)

08 (29.63)

21 (33.87)

23 (25.81

)

09 (33.33)

14 (22.58)

89 (100)

No 60 (67.41)

19 (70.37)

41 (66.13)

66 (74.16

)

18 (66.67)

48 (77.42)

0 (0)

All 89 (100)

27 (100)

62 (100)

89(100)

27(100)

62(100)

89(100)


• Conflict/contradiction between landless agricultural workers and land owning farmers.

• Participation of workers in protests – Role of Sarpanch.

• Leaders of the unions – strong union and more work (Some Sarpanches are goods, honest and pro-people – better implementation).

• Women leaders of unions – only at village level no at block, tehsil, districts and state level.

Table 28: Conflict/Contradiction within the Village

Description Any Contradiction with farmers in regard to

MGNREGA

In Wage Rate basis of Contradiction

Yes No All

Yes 14 (15.73) 11 (78.57) 03 (21.43)

14 (100)

No 75 (84.27)

All 89 (100)


Conclusions and suggestions

• Continuation of scheme – Economically, Socially and Politically in the interest of rural workers particularly for the women.

• Increase the inclusiveness.• Acceptability by Gram Panchayat. • Increase in the budgetary allocation by the Union Government.• Monitoring and functioning of PRIs – Transparent and accountable – Role of Unions.• Mainly SC/ST Workers ( No or very low participation of General Category – but a strong joint platform for

organization of workers across the categories and castes .• This scheme - leads toward many democratic political processes in which female participation will be

more and as a result there will be social changes.• From the point of view of social, economic and political dynamics of rural vulnerable market of Punjab –

must continue and for this every effort by the democratic institutions and workers unions.• This right driven scheme – survival of the poor people.

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