UPA’s flagship Project NREGA has, to a Certain Extent, succeeded in Empowering The Rural Poor, but The Government needs to also address The Larger issues that Hinder India’s rural Development.
Considering that most of the Indian poor live on agriculture, removing poverty and improving agriculture are two sides of the same coin. While there is an elaborate structure of schemes and institutions relating to agriculture, it is not clear who will finally interface with the farmer and ensure the support required. Forecasts by analysts that poverty will decline steadily can be no consolation to those living in poverty. There is an urgent need to add value to the life of the Indian poor. As of 2010, over 37% of India’s population of 1.35 billion still lives below the poverty line (22% rural and 15% urban, based on UN data). Government schemes are slow with the delivery systems weak and inadequate. The never ending blame game over the onus of implementation and monitoring that ministries and the Centre and state governments repeatedly indulge in, further paints a bleak picture.
All said and done, NREGA was not initiated as a scheme to create public assets to help the nation and society at large. In fact, until recently, the preamble of the Act did not even include the concept of building durable assets. Development in the true sense has to go much beyond giving cash. Answerability is of utmost importance. Strict laws should be put to place to ensure utmost accountability from all sections involved. Conceptualising a well-intended concept and taking no onus for its implementation isn’t an example of good governance. Skills training for those involved in such schemes and proper guidance for correct utilisation of money are equally important. While India needs to grow at a phenomenal rate to truly transform the employment and poverty scenario, NREGA has set upon an important task towards a more equitable distribution of this wealth. Needless to add, we have a long way to go till we see the real rural revolution that India truly aspires for.
All said and done, NREGA was not initiated as a scheme to create public assets to help the nation and society at large. In fact, until recently, the preamble of the Act did not even include the concept of building durable assets. Development in the true sense has to go much beyond giving cash. Answerability is of utmost importance. Strict laws should be put to place to ensure utmost accountability from all sections involved. Conceptualising a well-intended concept and taking no onus for its implementation isn’t an example of good governance. Skills training for those involved in such schemes and proper guidance for correct utilisation of money are equally important. While India needs to grow at a phenomenal rate to truly transform the employment and poverty scenario, NREGA has set upon an important task towards a more equitable distribution of this wealth. Needless to add, we have a long way to go till we see the real rural revolution that India truly aspires for.
Source : IIPM Editorial, 2012.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri
and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).
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Management Guru Arindam Chaudhuri
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An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri
and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).
For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
IIPM Best B School India
Management Guru Arindam Chaudhuri
Rajita Chaudhuri-The New Age Woman
IIPM's Management Consulting Arm-Planman Consulting
