NREGA Sahayata Kendra Handbook

(Draft, February 2011)

Prepared by Simrin Makhija (with inputs from Jean Drèze, Aashish Gupta, Reetika Khera and Gareth Wall), based on the early experience of the NREGA Sahayata Kendra in Khunti, Jharkhand. Comments and suggestions for improvement are welcome – please send them to rozgar@gmail.com.

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Contents

1. Introduction

2. Purpose and scope

3. Setting up the Sahayata Kendra

a. Resources required

b. Sarkari cooperation

c. Spreading the word

d. Kendra basics

4. Running the Kendra

a. Weekly routine

b. Grievance redressal

c. Filing system

d. Budgeting and accounts

e. Other activities

5. Farewell

Appendix 1: Sample MoU

Appendix 2: Essential Resources of a Sahayata Kendra

Appendix 3: Guidelines for Awareness Drives

Appendix 4: How to Register Applications and Complaints

Appendix 5: Model Format for Index of Complaints

Appendix 6: Sample Numbering System

Appendix 7: BDO Watch

Appendix 8: Sample Worksite Checklist

NREGA Sahayata Kendra Handbook

1. Introduction

A NREGA Sahayata Kendra acts as a bridge between the local administration and NREGA workers. Its main purpose is to help workers secure their entitlements, including prompt grievance redressal, and aid their struggles against exploitation and corruption. 

NREGA Sahayata Kendras were first set up in Khunti and Palamu Districts of Jharkhand, and Sarguja District of Chhattisgarh, in May-June 2009. Currently the Kendras are located in the Block compound of Khunti Block in Khunti District, Manika Block in Latehar District (both in Jharkhand) and Udaipur and Lakhanpur Blocks of Sarguja District (Chhattisgarh). They function from a small office space provided by the District Administration within the Block office compound and are managed by students and local volunteers. Each Sahayata Kendra attempts to cover one Block, and this Handbook also takes the Block as the basic unit of activity.

This Handbook draws mainly on the early experience of the NREGA Sahayata Kendra in Khunti, the first experiment of this kind. Routine activities of the Sahayata Kendra in Khunti include helping workers to obtain Job Cards, make collective work applications, get their wages paid on time, submit complaints to the Block office, and ensure that the complaints are heard. These activities have led to major improvements in the area, include a large increase in the scale of NREGA works. Aside from this, the Kendra has helped NREGA workers to get compensation for delayed wages (265 workers received compensation of Rs 2,000 each for delayed payments in June 2009, and another 78 workers received compensation of Rs 3,000 each in 2010). The Kendra has also become a springboard for many other activities such as awareness drives, social audits, worksite inspections and training programmes. The Handbook is an attempt to share this experience and facilitate the creation of other Sahayata Kendras elsewhere.

2. Purpose and Scope

In many places all over India, the entitlements of the workers guaranteed under the NREGA are denied routinely. An effective mechanism for grievance redressal by the state is not in place and thus the workers’ complaints go unheard. Sometimes it takes multiple trips to the Block office to get a Job Card made, a task which can be completed in 15 minutes. There are delays in issuing Job Cards; work applications are either not accepted or receipts for the same not provided; delays in wage payment are rampant and many worksites come to a standstill due to sheer neglect of the District administration or untimely measurement by the engineers. All these inefficiencies cause immense hardships to NREGA workers. A Sahayata Kendra, if managed effectively, can address some of these problems. It can be a place where workers are guaranteed to be heard and have their grievance documented properly.

Since a Sahayata Kendra is situated in the Block/District compound, it is able to push for grievance redressal of the workers who reach the gates of the Block/District office in the hope that someone will hear their complaints. It can prove to be a strong support system for the workers by following up on their applications and complaints till the time appropriate action is taken by the administration. These applications and complaints can be forwarded to the Block

programme officer, who has to take action within 7 days, as mandated by article 23 (6) of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. The Kendra tries its best to ensure that the workers’ demands (for what is rightfully theirs) are heard.

Often enough workers are being wronged but no one reports it. A possible explanation for this is that workers are not aware about the existence of a help centre. This can be rectified by engaging in an ongoing campaign to spread the word about the Kendra and its activities. Publicising through local media, padyatras, leafleting, wall writing, awareness drives etc. are a few ways of spreading the word. You can also consider a press conference or inauguration event, but only when you are confident that things are in place.

A very common reason for complaints never being voiced is that the Kendra is too far from where the workers live. Planning of regular field visits to different villages helps unearth irregularities in the functioning of NREGA. This method of “Taking the Kendra to the People” is very effective and must be practised at least once a week.

If the need arises, Sahayata Kendras can also organise other forms of collective action, such as demonstrations and press releases.

3. Setting up the Sahayata Kendra

Resources Required

1. A physical space inside or near the office of the Block Programme Officer, with electricity connection.

2. A commitment from the District administration that complaints and applications submitted by the Kendra would be acted on within 15 days. It is advisable to make a formal written proposal to the District administration to set up a Sahayata Kendra. Drawing up a MoU would be ideal.1

3. A hard-working team trained to run the Kendra. The team should consist of local volunteers, a coordinator, some NREGA workers, and possibly student volunteers from time to time.

4. Basic stationery (pens, carbon paper, stamp pads etc.) and material for awareness generation (NREGA primers, leaflets, banners, etc).

5. A working phone, for the Sahayata Kendra ‘Helpline’.

6. Financial support from independent, ethical sources (e.g. public donations). It is advisable to not seek funds from the District administration. You may, however, seek initial support from the District administration (for setting up expenses) and some assistance for printing awareness generation material.

7. Forms for registering applications and complaints (Job Card application form, work application form, complaints form, etc.) and other things required for running a Sahayata Kendra.2

1 See Appendix 1 for a sample MoU.2 See Appendix 2 for a sample list.

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8. A copy of the “START for NREGA” CD – this CD contains many useful resources including official documents, model formats, guidelines for field surveys and social audits, cultural resources, videos, and more. (For a copy of the CD, please write to rozgar@gmail.com)

Sarkari cooperation

As already mentioned it is advisable to sign a MoU with the District administration. The cooperation of the District administration is essential to keep the Block administration on its toes, and to ensure that the Kendra is not closed down as soon as it becomes “inconvenient” to the Block administration.

The task of convincing various officials of the utility of a Sahayata Kendra may not be easy. If needed you can seek the support of the NREGA Commissioner or State Employment Guarantee Council to convince the local administration. In states where NREGA Ombudsmen have been appointed, seeking support from them may help.

Review meetings at regular intervals (e.g. once a fortnight) with the District Programme Coordinator or District Collector can be very helpful. Regular interaction with the Block staff, as well as Gram Rozgar Sevaks, Panchyat Sevaks, etc., are of course essential.

Spreading the word

Displaying banners at prominent places in the District/Block office compound, and if possible, in some villages.

Distributing leaflets.

Organising awareness generation programmes through creative means such as the use of puppets/songs at places where people congregate (such as the weekly market) might be a good idea.

Information regarding the Sahayata Kendra and the Kendra Helpline number can be mentioned in the printed awareness material.

Kendra Basics

A Sahayata Kendra should have adequate space where workers and volunteers can sit comfortably. Basic furniture should be provided by the administration

It should have a functional filing system (more on this later) and all relevant forms must be within easy reach

Attention must be paid to the ambience of the Kendra – try to create a welcoming and friendly environment. Posters and other awareness material can be displayed on the walls.

Relevant reference material, such as a copy of the NREG Act, Operational Guidelines, primers etc should also be available at the Kendra.

4. Running the Kendra

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Weekly routine

As already mentioned, the primary role of a NREGA Sahayata Kendra is to help redress workers’ grievances and try to ensure effective delivery of entitlements under the Act. A Kendra follows a two-fold path to achieving this goal. Firstly, it acts as a help desk (for at least 2 days of the week) for workers to come and register applications and complaints. Secondly, it reaches out to the workers by organising frequent field visits to villages in the District/Block to inspect worksites, collect applications and complaints from the workers, conduct public meetings, and so on.

A Kendra should open at times convenient for workers and volunteers. Both the Sahayata Kendras in Jharkhand are open two days of the week from 9:00am-4:00pm. These two days coincide with “Block Days”. (Block offices often observe Block Days on specific days of the week, when all the officials are supposed to be present in the Block.) Days on which the local market is held and Block days are good days to keep the Kendra open. Ensure that the opening and closing hours of the Kendra are mentioned outside the Kendra, and are strictly adhered to. If due to unavoidable circumstances, the Kendra has to be closed during working hours, a notice to the effect should be put in front of the Kendra.

The Kendra must be kept tidy and functional at all times. Things must be in their correct place and all documents must be filed in an orderly manner. If possible, do maintain soft copies of reports prepared by the Kendra, summary of complaints etc.

Field visits can involve many different actitivites such as worksite inspections, social audits, public meetings, Job Card verification, on-site training, and more. Spreading awareness of NREGA and workers’ entitlements is a continuous activitiy.3 Preparing a “ field kit” and carrying it on every field visit is likely to facilitate your work.4

Grievance Redressal

Grievance redressal is an entitlement by which workers can have their complaints attended to and their grievances heard. By law, this is the duty of the local administration. The role of the Kendra is only to put pressure on the local administration and try to ensure that grievances are heard and that prompt action is taken.

A standard format for handling each type of application or complaint should be followed.5

Once application/complaints are filled out they must be submitted to the concerned officials. Depending on the nature of the complaint, it can be submitted to the Gram Rozgar Sevak (GRS), Gram Panchayat Sevak (GPS), Block Programme Officer (BPO), Block Development Officer (BDO), District Programme Officer (DPC) or District Collector (DC). The process of filling out and submitting applications and complaints will not differ much for forms filled in the Kendra and those filled in the field.

Three copies must be made of each application/complaint. One must be given to the person filing the application/complaint. The original copy must be submitted to the concerned official and the last copy must be kept with the Kendra. Once the original copy is submitted to the 3 See Appendix 3 for guidelines on awareness drives.4 See Appendix 2.5 See Appendix 4a and 4b for guidelines on how to register applications and complaints.

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concerned official, ask him or her to sign the Kendra’s copy, so that this copy can act as a “receipt” (this receipt must have a signature and date.) It is important to remind the officials that they are obliged to take action in 7-14 days and that if they don’t fulfil their duty they can be fined under section 25 of the NREGA.

If the Kendra is submitting multiple complaints at one time it is a good idea to attach an index to the complaints/application forms while submitting it to the administration.6 Often applications and complaints are ignored. In this case they may be re-submitted to a higher authority, along with a request for sanction against the passive officials.

Filing System

Once “received” the applications and complaints must be carefully filed for future reference. An orderly filing system at a Kendra is a must.

The filing system in Khunti is briefly described below. Any organised and well maintained filing system that suits the team should work.

Sample Filing System:

At the Sahayata Kendra in Khunti, there are five key Registers: one each for Job Card Applications, Work Applications, Delayed Wage Payments, General Complaints, and Other Documents. (If a particular type of complaint keeps recurring, such as ‘lack of bank account’, a separate register can be kept for that.)

You may require additional files for items such as the following:

o Press Releases by the Kendra and News items on NREGA.

o Muster Rolls collected from the District office for verification.

o Official orders and documents.

o Letters to the DC/BDO.

o Case specific files of certain worksites where large scams were unearthed. (Ideally, these files should contain all relevant official documents of the worksite- Muster Rolls, Payment Advices, Measurement Book, Khaitan, Agreement etc.)

o Maps, including District, Block and Gram Panchayat maps.

o Original copies of all essential forms (for photocopying as and when required).

o List of officials and their contact details.

Try to maintain a Sahayata Kendra diary possibly containing a ‘Things to do List’, list of cases to be followed up on, daily happenings of the Kendra, minutes of meetings held etc.

Applications/complaints submitted by the Kendra are not necessarily ‘Top Priority’ for the administration, thus reminders must be sent and a follow up mechanism should be in place.

6 See Appendix 5 for a model “Index of Complaints” format.

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While submitting complaints it is advisable to ask for Action Taken Reports (ATRs) from the concerned official. An ATR is a summary of action taken on each complaint. It is quintessential to verify whether the claimed action taken has actually been taken or not. This can be done either by calling up the complainant or by visiting the village of the complainant and checking the facts.

It is important to have a well-designed numbering system for complaints, to avoid confusion while handling complaints.7

Budgeting and Accounts

It is very important to prepare a tentative budget at the start and maintain meticulous (“double entry”!) accounts at all times. Ideally, the accounts should be audited every year, and placed in the public domain, so that the financial integrity of the Kendra is beyond suspicion. The basic heads under the budget should include stationery, photocopying charges, phone recharge cost, support for local volunteers (if any), internet and printing charges, etc. The Kendra in Khunti started with a Budget of Rs 1,000 per week (not including support for the coordinator). The local volunteers in Khunti earn the minimum wage on a daily basis, plus a small food and travel allowance.

Other Activities

A host of activities related to NREGA (and even other issues) can be initiated by the Sahayata Kendra. Below are some examples of activities that kept us busy in Khunti:

Muster Roll verification: This is a specific “social audit” activity, to expose fraud in the wage component of NREGA – based on the Muster Roll Watch guidelines.8

BDO Watch: A fun exercise, to monitor the attendance of the BDO and other staff during office hours – in Khunti, it was done three times a day.9

Verification of Electronic Job Cards: A very useful exercise, since electronic Job Cards (available on the internet, at www.nrega.nic.in) are based on actual wage payments – see the “START for NREGA” CD for guidelines and formats.

Worksite inspections: The Worksite Checklist is a useful tool for this purpose; it helps to check whether the provisions of the Act are being implemented.10

Public display of complaints: A poster with a of the “index of complaints” (see above) submitted to the BPO can be posted prominently on the one of the walls of the Kendra and/or Block office, as a reminder to the BPO and other concerned officials.

7 See Appendix 6 for a sample numbering system.8 See www.righttofoodindia.org/data/mr_verification_guidelines_simplified_feb_07.pdf9 See Appendix 7 for an example of findings of a BDO Watch.10 See Appendix 8 for a sample Worksite Checklist. Other versions are available on the “START for NREGA” CD.

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Bank work: Many NREGA workers face problems at banks and post offices. The Kendra can help to ensure that all of them have accounts with regularly updated passbooks, and that no money is taken from them by bank officers or postmen.

Social audits and public hearings: These are routine activities – see “START for NREGA” CD for many useful tools, including the “One Hundred Tips for Social Audits” booklet.

Training programmes: This is the responsibility of the Block administration (e.g. training of Mates and Rozgar Sevaks), but your inputs are likely to be welcome.

Exposure trips: Visiting other Sahayata Kendras can help to learn from others, share your own experiences, find out how NREGA works elsewhere, and so on. Similarly you can invite team members from other Kendras to your Kendra for the same purpose.

Special investigations: From time to time you are likely to hear of “scams” in our near your field area. Try to investigate and seek action, whenever possible.

Short-term campaigns: Examples include work application drives, awareness drives, padyatras to take up specific issues, etc.

Keep an eye on the official NREGA website (www.nrega.nic.in) and on the “MIS”, for new information (e.g. wage revisions or important circulars). Often, local volunteers are keen to learn how to use the internet – it is indeed a useful skill, worth encouraging.

Make an e-mail account for the Kendra and build links with others through email, or related tools such as Facebook or a web page.

Visual documentation: This can be helpful in many ways, e.g. video testimonies are very effective and good photographs are very useful for media work.

5. Farewell

We hope that this draft Handbook, brief as it is, will help you to build your own Sahayata Kendra. Needless to say, these guidelines reflect a particular experience (in Khunti), and may need to be adapted to the local context, and also expanded as you “learn by doing”. The intention of the Handbook is to present some starting ideas, and to share the benefit of our experience. The rest depends on your imagination!

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Appendix 1

Sample MoU (from Khunti)

Memorandum of Understanding: “NREGA Sahayata Kendra” in Khunti

A “NREGA Sahayata Kendra” was opened in Khunti on 1 May 2009, and functioned during the months of May and June 2009. At that time, the Kendra was managed by university student in collaboration with local volunteers. The Kendra provided assistance to NREGA workers, and acted as a “bridge” between them and the Block administration. In the light of this positive experience, it is proposed that the NREGA Sahayata Kendra (hereafter “Kendra”) should continue, based on the following understanding:

1 The Kendra will run for an initial period of one year, from 1 July 2009.

2 The District Administration undertakes to provide the following support to the Kendra:

a) The unused room made available to the Kendra at the “BRC Building” in May-June 2009 will remain available until 30 June 2010.

b) The office equipment (tables, chairs, fan, etc.) provided to the Kendra in May-June 2009 will also remain available. In addition, a shelf and computer will be provided.

c) Copies of NREGA documents, such as muster rolls and payment advices, will be provided to the Sahayata Kendra on demand (photocopying costs will be borne by the Kendra).

d) Any complaint of NREGA workers forwarded by the Kendra to the BDO’s office will be acknowledged with a written, dated and signed receipt.

e) “Action taken reports” on these complaints will be prepared by the BDO’s office within a week of the complaints being submitted.

f) A weekly meeting will be convened every week to review the progress of grievance redressal. This meeting will be attended by the BDO (Khunti), BPO (Khunti) and members of the Sahayata Kendra.

g) A similar, monthly meeting will be held with the Deputy Commissioner.

3 The Sahayata Kendra, for its part, undertakes to prepare quarterly reports of its activities and provide a copy to the BDO and Deputy Commissioner.

4 In specific cases where serious irregularities are found, “joint verification enquiries” will be conducted by the District administration and the Sahayata Kendra.

5 The Kendra will be staffed and supervised by a Steering Group consisting of (………).

6 Expenses of the Kendra not covered by the District Administration will be met from public donations with no strings attached, arranged by the Steering Group.

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Appendix 2

Essential Resources of a Sahayata Kendra

(1) Many ‘tools for action’ (including most of the “essential resources” below) can be found on the “START for NREGA” CD, and also at: www.righttofoodindia.org/rtowork/ega_keydocs.html

(2) Essential resources include:

1. Job Card Application Form

2. Individual Work Application Form

3. Group Work Application Form

4. Complaints Form

5. Cultural resources

6. Worksite Checklist

7. NREGA Primers

8. Field Kit

(3) In the Field Kit, don’t forget:

a. Stationery like pens, pencils, writing boards, stamp pads, blank paper, carbon paper, etc.

b. Ample copies of each of the forms mentioned above.

c. Awareness generation material like leaflets, posters, primers and cultural resources.

d. A mobile phone also helps.

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Appendix 3

Guidelines for Awareness Drives

Useful resources:

1. Enlarged copies of the cartoons from the yellow booklet (“NREGA: Mazdooron ke Haq”).2. NREGA ‘naras’ written in big font on chart paper.3. A sample Job Card.4. Cultural resources (e.g. the ‘kaam ka adhikar’ song).5. Essentials formats and stationery including:

Job card applications Work applications Complaint forms Plain paper Pens, pencils, exam board, stamp pad, carbon paper.

Illustrative “script”:

1. Inform the village a day or two in advance.2. On reaching the village, introduce yourselves in a forthright manner.3. Explain the purpose of your visit.4. Start with cartoons from the yellow booklet, with reading and discussion of the text.5. In between cartoons, use the charts and ‘naras’.6. Go through the sample Job Card and explain how it is to be maintained and checked.7. Take help from songs, puppets, or other cultural resources at your disposal.8. Distribute (or sell) leaflets and primers.9. Enquire about the functioning of NREGA in the village and discuss it openly. 10. Fill out Job Card applications, work applications, complaints if any.

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Appendix 4

Part 1: How to Register Complaints and Applications

1. Greet the visitor and make him/her feel welcome. If needed, introduce yourself and/or the Kendra.

2. Give the person time to explain the issue(s) in her own words.

3. Fill the Complaint Form, or the relevant Application Form (e.g. Job Card application form or work application form).

4. Use a carbon sheet while filling the form, so that there is a spare copy.

5. Don’t forget to number the form.

6. Check that the form is complete and ask the applicant to sign (or put his/her thumbprint). Make sure that the applicant understands what he/she is signing. If he/she is unable to read, ask a third person to read out the form.

7. Give the carbon copy of the form to the applicant. Draw his/her attention to the complaint number.

8. Please give the Sahayata Kendra phone number to the applicant and ask him/her to call after one week (with their complaint number ready) to enquire about the status of the complaint. In the case of applications (Job Card and/or work), please ask them to call after 15 days.

9. If required, take them to the BDO’s office and help them to make an entry in the Complaints Register, get a signed receipt, and – if possible – secure immediate action.

10. Otherwise, explain to the applicant that we are forwarding his/her complaint to the BDO’s office with a request for action. Clarify that “grievance redressal” is the BDO’s duty – our role is to monitor his response.

11. Do give the applicant an NREGA parcha and tell them about the “Apna Haq Jaane” primer.

12. Make an entry in the relevant Register (Complaints Register, Job Card Applications Register, and Work Applications Register) and file the original form in the corresponding File.

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Appendix 4

Part 2: Telephonic Complaints and Applications

1. Greet the caller and give him/her time to explain the issue in his/her own words.

2. Fill the Complaint Form, or the relevant Application Form (e.g. Job Card application form or work application form).

3. Use a carbon sheet while filling the form, so that there is a spare copy.

4. Don’t forget to number the form, using the standard 6-digit system. Add "T" in brackets at the end, to indicate that this is a "telephonic" case. Make sure to give the complaint number to the caller.

5. Ask the caller if he/she can come to the Sahayata Kendra to sign the form and collect the copy. Tell him/her that this is essential in the case of Job Card or work applications.

6. Please ask the person to call after one week (with the complaint number) to enquire about the status of the complaint. In the case of applications (Job Card and/or work), please ask them to call after 15 days.

7. Explain to the caller that we are forwarding his/her complaint to the BDO’s office with a request for action. Clarify that “grievance redressal” is the BDO’s duty – our role is to monitor his response.

8. Make an entry in the relevant Register (Complaints Register, Job Card Applications Register, and Work Applications Register) and file the original form in the corresponding File.

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Appendix 5

Model Format for Index of Complaints

Gram Panchayat: __________________________________________ Block:______________________________ District: ____________________________________

Sr. No Name of complainant Job Card No. Village Summary of Complaint Action Sought Action Taken*

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

13

* * To be filled by administration.

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Appendix 6

Sample Numbering System

It is very important to ensure that every application, complaint or other document submitted to the NREGA Sahayata Kendra has a single identification number. The numbering system in Khunti has six digits, as follows:

First digit: Nature of the document (1 = Complaint; 2 = Job Card application; 3 = Work application; 4 = Other)

Next two digits: Gram Panchayat identification number (see below).

Next three digits: Serial number within the Gram Panchayat.

Each document should be carefully filed in one of four separate registers: (1) Job Card Applications; (2) Work Applications; (3) Delayed Wage Payments; (4) General Complaints; (5) Other Documents. At the time of filing, an entry should also be made in one of the five corresponding registers.

Examples

203001 would be the first work application received from Birhu.

301003 would be the third complaint of delayed payments received from Barudih.

113001 would be the first Job Card application received from an unidentified GP.

GP Identification numbers

01 Barudih02 Bhandra03 Birhu04 Dadiguttu05 Fuddi06 Garjura07 Landup08 Murhi09 Marangadha10 Siladon11 Tilma12 Tirla13 “Residual” category (e.g. unidentified GP)

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Appendix 7

BDO Watch

This is an example of the findings of a “BDO Watch” exercise conducted by student volunteers in Khunti in May-June 2009. A Watch can be conducted for any office or official.

Official & Time

Present(day/s) Absent(day/s) Away on Work(day/s)

Not Noted(day/s)

Block Development Officer (BDO)

10:30am 7 11 1 0

11:30am 8 7 1 3

4:00pm 8 3 0 8

Block Programme Officer (BPO)

10:30am 12 5 1 1

11:30am 10 4 1 4

4:00pm 7 2 2 8

Junior Statistical Supervisor (JSS)

10:30am 7 10 1 1

11:30am 4 9 1 5

4:00pm 3 5 2 9

Appendix 8Sample Worksite Checklist

[Investigators: This questionnaire should be filled at the worksite, based on careful enquiries from the labourers (make sure to involve both women and men). Ask the labourers and not the ‘mate’, sarpanch, sacheev, contractor or other such. If some of them are present, one team member can take charge of distracting them by holding a separate discussion with them at a safe distance.]

Village: /_______________/ Gram Panchayat: /______________/ Block: /_________________/

Date: /________________/ Names of investigators:/__________________________________/

Name of work: /________________________________________________________________/

Starting date of work: /______________/

Muster Rolls

Was the muster roll available at the worksite when you arrived?[1 = Yes; 2 = No; 9 = Unclear] /______/

If yes, was the muster roll “up to date” (including today’s attendance)?[1 = Yes; 2 = No; 9 = Unclear] /______/

How many labourers were at the worksite today, according to the muster roll?(Enter number of labourers in the box. If you can’t tell, write “NA”.)

/______/

How many labourers were actually at the worksite when you arrived?(Enter number of labourers in the box. If you can’t tell, write “NA”.)

/______/

Did you notice any irregularities in the muster roll? (e.g. fake names, fake attendance details, signatures being taken before payments are made)[1 = Yes; 2 = No; 9 = Unclear]

If yes, please describe.

/______/

Wage Payments

Have any wages been paid so far at this worksite?[1 = Yes; 2 = No; 9 = Unclear]

[Investigators: If no wages have been paid, skip this section.]

/______/

How many days have passed since the last wage payment at this worksite?(Enter number of days in the box, e.g. 30 days. If you can’t tell, write “NA”.)

/______/

[Investigators: The following questions apply to the last payment made at this worksite.]

Last time wages were paid:

Did it happen within 15 days of the work being done?[1 = Yes; 2 = No, but payment was made within a month; 3 = No, and payment was not even made within a month; 4 = Unclear]

/______/

Did labourers get the minimum wage (Rs 73/day)?[1 = Everyone got the minimum wage; 2 = Only some labourers got the minimum wage; 3= No-one got the minimum wage; 9 = Unclear] /______/

Was the payment made in a public space (e.g. worksite, Panchayat Bhawan)?[1 = Yes; 2 = No; 9=Unclear]

/______/

Were all labourers paid together, or separately?[1 = separately; 2 = together; 9 =unclear] /______/

Were the payment details read aloud from the muster rolls?[1 = Yes; 2 = No; 9=Unclear] /______/

Were job cards entries made in front of the labourers?[1 = Yes; 2 = No; 9=Unclear] /______/

“Average wage”: Try to find out how much the labourers earned on average (in rupees per day), the last time wages were paid. If you are not able to tell, write “NA”.

Average earnings per day (Rs): /______/

At this worksite, what is the longest time labourers had to wait for payment, after the end of a pakhwada? (Enter number of days in the box, e.g. 30 days. If you can’t tell, write “NA”.)

/______/

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How many days have lapsed since work was measured? (Enter number of days in the box, e.g. 30 days. If you can’t tell, write “NA”.)

/______/

Worksite Facilities

Were the following facilities available at the worksite, at the time of your visit?[1=yes; 2 = No; 9=unclear]

Shade for periods of rest

Drinking water

First-aid kit

Child care facility

/______/

/______/

/______/

/______/

Is there a board at the worksite?[1=yes; 2 = No; 9=unclear] /______/

Does the worksite board provide the following information?[1=yes; 2 = No; 9=unclear]

Total amount sanctioned

Amount sanctioned for labour component

Minimum wage

Task required to earn minimum wage

/______/

/______/

/______/

/______/

Evidence of Irregularities

Did you find any evidence of the involvement of a contractor at the worksite?[1 = yes; 2 = no; 9=unclear]

If yes, please describe.

/______/

Did you find any evidence of use (at any time) of labour-displacing machines at the worksite?[1 = yes; 2 = no; 9=unclear]

If yes, please describe.

/______/

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Did you notice any evidence of corruption of any kind at this worksite?[1 = yes; 2 = no; 9=unclear]

If yes, please describe.

/______/

Other Questions

What is your assessment of the economic usefulness of the asset(s) being created at this worksite?[1 = very useful; 2 = quite useful; 3 = not particularly useful; 4 = useless; 9 = unclear]

Please explain.

/______/

Do any of the labourers employed at this worksite live further than 5km from the worksite?[1 = yes; 2 = no; 9 = unclear]

/______/

Appendix: Worksite Details

[Investigators: If needed, seek the information below from the Panchayat Sachiv, Gram Rozgar Sevak or Panchayat Bhawan.]

Description of work: /____________________________________________________/

Implementing Agency: /__________________________________________________/

Amount sanctioned: (1) Total: /_________/ (2) Labour component: /_______________/

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National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA)Worksite Checklist 2008

How to Complete the “Worksite Checklist”

1. Your visit to the worksite should be unannounced, during work hours.

2. Start by observing the state of the worksite: what labourers are doing, which facilities are available, what the mate is doing, whether any machines are being used, etc.

3. Count the labourers.

4. One team member should take the “mate” apart and keep him/her busy, so that the mate does not interfere with the group discussion with labourers. Ask the mate for the muster rolls and other records.

5. Conduct an informal group discussion with the labourers around the issues listed in the Checklist (not necessarily in the same order). Introduce yourselves carefully before the discussion begins.

6. Make sure that women participate and get a chance to speak. If possible, hold separate discussions with men and women.

7. Note any useful responses as you go along, on a draft copy of the Checklist.

8. Toward the end of the discussion, take this opportunity to inform workers about their rights, help them to read the “entitlements” page on the Job Card, distribute leaflets or primers, answer queries, and so on. If possible use songs, slogans, etc., to enliven the discussion.

9. If any labourers have a serious complaint, take it in writing on the “affidavit” form. Note all relevant details, and take the signatures or thumbprints of the concerned persons as well as witnesses. Before asking anyone to sign an affidavit, please request a local person (not a team member) to read it aloud in the local language.

10. Inspect the worksite, including the worksite board and the worksite facilities. Also, try to assess the economic usefulness of the work, with the workers.

11. If needed, meet the Panchayat Sachiv or go to the Panchayat Bhawan to fill the “Worksite Details” section at the end of the Checklist.

12. After all this is over, sit together as a team and fill a fair copy of the Checklist.