Poor rural scheme execution draws flak

RANCHI: The poor implementation of MNREGA in the state can possibly lead to poverty and starvation deaths in rural Jharkhand, said Balram, MNREGA expert and advisor to the commissioner of the Supreme Court-appointed commission on right to food, at a discussion at the state Congress headquarters to mark the job guarantee scheme's 10th anniversary.
"Labourers have had to work had without earning wages.It is a criminal offense," Balram said. He added that since the scheme started in the state, over 60 lakh MNREGA man-days are unpaid according to government records. "Government records showcase moderate figures. In reality, the number is much higher," Balram told TOI.
Balram said a number of people fended off starvation because MNREGA offered them little money. "The scheme was already poorly implemented. Now, budgetary cuts have left MNREGA in a bad shape," he said.
Records state that since August, no jobs have been provided under the scheme in the state. "Jharkhand is reeling under a drought-like situation. The absence of jobs and food (due to drought) is fuelling migration and trafficking. The youth want to migrate to other states to earn a living. The situation is making them fall prey to trafficking," said Balram, adding that Jharkhand is at the bottom of the pyramid in MNREGA implementation.
Former Union minister Subodh Kant Sahay said the Congress would mobilize a statewide agitation - 'Kam Do Ya Jail Do' (either provide jobs or put us in jail) - to demand jobs for labourers in villages. Sahay claimed that the scheme was hit by a Rs 64,000-crore budgetary cut at the Centre. "The budgetary cuts underline the idea that the Narendra Modi-led government is trying to boost rich corporates at the cost of poor people," he said.
"The scheme provides jobs to 5 crore unemployed people every year. It has lifted people out of poverty. But, the policy makers have deprived people of its benefits in Jharkhand," said Congress state president Sukhdeo Bhagat.
Balram explained the possible impact of the scheme's failure in the state. "The youth migrate to other states in search of work, leaving behind their parents. The elderly starve because there is no one to provide for them as their children have families of their own," said Balram.