‘State’s rural jobs prospects high’

RANCHI: A day after dismissing the prevalent concept of India being a welfare state and stressing on the need for providing free healthcare to the masses, noted economist Jean Dreze on Thursday said Jharkhand can become a leader in the implementation of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) if accountability provisions are taken seriously.
Addressing the students of Xaviers Institute of Social Service (XISS), Dreze said, “MGNREGA in Jharkhand has more prospects than anywhere in the country if accountability provisions such as compensations and penalty provisions are taken seriously”.His comments came at a time when the Centre is planning to limit the scheme, which constitutes a mere 0.3% of the nation’s GDP, to the tribal areas.
The development economist, who has played an influential role in drafting NREGA, said, “The scheme in Jharkhand was being used by most political parties in taking money and political credit, for which the results here have been limited.”
Calling MGNERGA a “pro-worker law implemented by an anti-worker system,” Dreze said workers in the state are fighting against the system that is not responsive. “State authorities have been ignoring penalty clauses, compensation packages and employment allowances that are sparking a general disinterest among workers,” he added. “Let the people decide for themselves on MGNREGA,” he added.