Instead conceiving the living conditions of ordinary Nepalese migrant in Delhi through polarised opinions or statistical records, it would be rather sincere spending some moments with them, listening their choice of folk music and most importantly knowing their views on “Muluk ko hal khabar”(nation’s current affairs). Remarkably these concerns are mostly related with the long democratic transition, which the nation has been going through in last two decades. That shows, amidst the all starkness of actual democratic functioning and falsification of big claims by the political parties, a general view on democracy is firm and positive.
Common Nepalese are now subscribing the idea of democracy more genuinely than even before, all those are inside the nation or forced to live outside of Nepal for earning subsisting livelihood. This is positive development in a nation, consistently ridden with conflict to figure out the mode of suitable governance. And no doubt, democracy would be the best choice for the Nepal which lost the real representation of its unique monarchy with the unfortunate royal massacre in 2001.
Five years back in Delhi’s unkind summer, I was new and alien here searching for stable abode in its obsessively commercial southern parts, came to a comfortable halt by the consideration of Kedar Saanpkota, a man in his fifties from the Narayangarh district of Nepal. The benign gestures of this mess staff of JNU and his family on my appearance as paying guest kept me more than happy for next few months of my staying in a beautiful room facing the picturesque beauties of dead Aravali ranges. Alas, two years later when I went to see him as promise made, I found his picture set on the wall-that was tragical for me to not see him anymore and knowing this so unexpectedly.
Even today, I am deeply indebted for the insights he had shared with me during those fateful days of Nepal’s painful political transition on the Maoist politics, especially how it was closely linked in early phase with the left progressive elements of Delhi’s premier universities. If Vamdev Shotriya was his colleague in JNU, he had also seen Baburam Bhattarai in formative days there…what was striking among his all descriptions on Nepali politics and politicians, he was never sure about the actuality of Comrade Prachanda like most of the fellow countrymen and there first time I found the dualism inherent within the Nepali Maoists!
In last few years, my exposure with the high echelons of Nepali journalists, politicians and intellectuals have grown up, yet the feeling of lacking the common men’s views was haunting my consine on a regular fleet. Last year, I was shifted to a new apartment (in Ghaziabad) with the immense help of its security staff, Arjun Singh Mehra, lien-thin though not a frailled man from Kanchanpur. He knows his arrival in Delhi by the amount he paid to bus for commuting from Vanmassa border to Anand Vihar, that was Rs15 then and another historical clue he has to remember of his early days, how the death of Indira Gandhi had shocked the India. With a pause, he said me those days were replicated though differently in Nepal by the assassination of King Birendra and family! I sensed great wisdom in his thought, infact Nepal lost that day the king who could have drawn better way of democratic transformation and India lost for the first time, “ the idea of collective justice “ with the brutal killings of Sikhs in Delhi and outside after Indira Gandhi was shot dead-both these assassinations left democracy in perils for long time!
Long back, Arjun had served as the head of Village Development Council in Shishaiyya Naya Gram that falls in Mahakali Anchal. Once, he was also an active member of NCP (UML) and still claims for his belief in democratic communism but not for a single moment he stopped loathing “Maoists” for their betrayal with the poors and disadvantaged sections. He is shocked to find the way, Maoists were persuaded the culture of mindless violence on the name of justice and democracy. He opines which kind of justice they brought through their action? Though he appreciates Baburam Bhattarai and few Congress leaders for their constructive zeal but he’s afraid in the manners, such voices are being taken as granted by the dominant leaderships in their party.
Arjun’s courtesy enabled me towards the ongoing grave exploitation on local communities in the forests of Sunsari where even the picking of fallen woods are taken as a crime and punishment leveled as high as raping the poor women by the security guards or captivating them for weeks in unlawful manners. He adds, there are no employment opportunities in the hinterlands of Nepal, NGOs are already proven functionally hypocrites and further the reliance on external aid is making the situation much worse in the rule of Maoists than in the earlier governments, whom they used to slap charge of carrying “comprador democrats” and acting sycophants of “Swayambhoo”/India. Exactly opposite are the feelings of poor but sensible Nepali’s living hundred miles away from their villages. They had never seen the kind grace of political authorities from Kathmandu, despite that they are not alien existences, but in all cases they see India as very dear friend and not likes any ditch in both nation’s long and sound relationships.
Harish Bahadur Khati is from Bajan in Nepal and has brought up here in Delhi. He drives very well, that he says is good for his profession but for his pastime in music, he is equally focussed. An avid fan of Bhuvan Dahall, Nand KIshan Joshi, Tara Devi and Dikra Badeni, he could sing hundreds of Nepali songs in proper rhythm and tone. A step ahead, I tried to inquire him, if he has equal fond for the new genre of Nepali singers like, Amrit Gurung or Sugam Pokhrel? He said “no” because of long staying away from Nepal, many of us are able to connect with the past but found hard to get align with the contemporary developments. He loves his country because he never put forth a worldly logic of relative comparisons, he is proud doing streamlining the beauties of Nepal by quoting this fraction from folklore “Nepal ka Dhan, Hariya Van/ Nepal’s wealth is its green resources”. He wants no looking back from democracy, though he is not satisfied with its present state of affairs in Kathmandu.
Moti Ram is from Kailali, an avid newspaper reader, appears in deep thought while talking about the nation. He exudes the all peculiar qualities of a Nepali in fancied dress and etiquette talking. He is happy working here as security staff and denying he would ever seen as “Bahadur” by the residents of his building. He is concerned with the delay of constitution making but is somehow happy with the growing maturisation in Nepal’s democracy. He says, he is glad working here instead ruining his soul in the desert of middle east, which is a very wrong trend in Nepal these days.
Nawal Singh Kathait is from Kanchanpur, he works in the opposite building. He is balanced with his words, less sentimental but as realistic as other three friends, he didn’t tired admiring Indian’s brotherly gesture towards them and how pious is the relationships between his country and India. He is totally disappointed with the present government and had firm disbelief in Gyanendra, erstwhile royal. In his views too, had king Birendra alive today, Nepal would have altogether different!
The views of these four unknown but highly concerned Nepali’s on their nation shows, they all like democracy as choice of system but not in the present lustful way. Next, they all have realization that Maoists have betrayed the mass belief and acted against the ethics of humanity and mandate of communism itself. Also they all found India, very dear and only next to Nepal in their preference of working and staying. They don’t know the puzzling theory of bilateral or multilateral engagements, simply the common past and existing similar life style making them close to India and Indians. At some point of life, they all want to go home, even though none of them make you feel they are sad somewhere living distant from home!
I know Nepali, so could share with them their say on internal politics, very rich culture and hard working peoples. They consider me as their “own people” and honestly I also do the same, as human being and migrant. These four Nepali’s and others I had met in past have expressed their desire to be covered more closely by the Nepal embassy here in Delhi. En route home, every time they have to suffer the exploitation by the Indian SSBs at border of Vanmassa and Dhangari…same may be the cases at other borders too where they are unruly harassed by the few wrong natured Indian security officials.
Nepal and India must deliberate in this regard to stop such indecent behaviors. Afterall, Indian government never allows this in statutory terms, so a broad debate on more liberal borders would be very imperative in sorting out the immoral and corrupt acts of few officials. Among the many unresolved issues, this is most pertinent, as open borders are the strongest symbol standing between these two counties and that should be never downgraded through any wrong process. If the Nepal would be stable, it will be most beneficial for India, so peoples of both the countries should continue their affectionate relations, which would be the more crucial than the role played by the slumbering and unconvincible embassy officials from both the sides!
Atul Kumar Thakur
February 10th, 2012, Friday, New Delhi
Email: summertickets@gmail.com
Showing posts with label International Migration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label International Migration. Show all posts
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Euphoria of Migration
According to latest Human Development Report2009 (HDR, U.N) - migrations are hugely beneficial for the poors; further it reveals that poorest and the low skilled could benefit the most by moving, yet they face the largest barriers to movement: legal, financial, and social.
Report that came through a well groomed survey team with statistical precision might be true in their observation since upward mobility to a productive posture indeed makes the migrant prosperous and if we could prolong it to international migration then its impacts seems more visible.But it’s regret to say that these perceptions are mechanized which normally taken into account by visiting the results on the basis of economies of scale that hardly able to judge the problems in its true light.
The gains are higher for international migrants, so international migration has received much public attention in recent years especially short term migration for work.
Such migration shows lucid distinction and separate avenues for male and female labors; male migrants tends to move in the productions and constructions sector and very few in low end service activities. Contrast to that most of female migrants are found to be working in less productive service activities.
Presently they accounts for around half of the world’s migrant population, so their plights are very worthwhile to judge the actuality of benefits that migration conferred …its quite striking to found that at least in lower strata, migration makes women’s more vulnerable in absence of education and proper exposure to outer world although its varies on patriarchal patterns and official policies of that specific areas as well.
Gender perspectives on migration is very crucial since the report estimates that nearly one billion peoples across the glob are migrants, among these 740 millions are internal migrants-almost four times as many as those who have moved internationally;so,it’s now an issue of survival to the one seventh of the world population.
As per the report, India stands at 134th position with HDF value of 0.612 which marks hardly a rosy picture for Indian growth story; what this report shatters most is the complete obliviousness of the rural migration from India and other developing countries and their same valuation with high profile migration that normally tends for positional change and career advancement rather than a quest for survival.
Mass migration from north Bihar, Terain region of Nepal, Chakmas of Bangladesh can’t be compared with the inter state migration in U.S or even it couldn’t comparable with the exodus from Kerala to Gulf countries.
The basic thing which this report is severely missing the distinction between low end migration and high profile migration; for understanding better the plights of forced migrants, it would be essential to look from cultural and ecological perspectives apart from economic ones.
Subordination of villages and degradations of city life are more or less the outcomes of same development agenda that pushes common men for wrenching migration for attaining even minimum rudimentary facilities that hardly appeared before them at their native places.
For saving the villages and stopping the forced migration, it should be first task for development agencies to end the disguised unemployment in rural areas by creating proper productive atmosphere and strive make these areas the true place of productions.
For ensuring the dream of equal and just societies as well the attainment of financial inclusion plan, it should be foremost task of every policy makers to strive for seizing these areas as place of consumption by spurting a new entrepreneurial revolution from villages. Hope in future time we would see some positive change in our rural landscape through inclusive planning.
Atul Kumar Thakur
October8th2009, New Delhi
atul_mdb@rediffmail.com
Report that came through a well groomed survey team with statistical precision might be true in their observation since upward mobility to a productive posture indeed makes the migrant prosperous and if we could prolong it to international migration then its impacts seems more visible.But it’s regret to say that these perceptions are mechanized which normally taken into account by visiting the results on the basis of economies of scale that hardly able to judge the problems in its true light.
The gains are higher for international migrants, so international migration has received much public attention in recent years especially short term migration for work.
Such migration shows lucid distinction and separate avenues for male and female labors; male migrants tends to move in the productions and constructions sector and very few in low end service activities. Contrast to that most of female migrants are found to be working in less productive service activities.
Presently they accounts for around half of the world’s migrant population, so their plights are very worthwhile to judge the actuality of benefits that migration conferred …its quite striking to found that at least in lower strata, migration makes women’s more vulnerable in absence of education and proper exposure to outer world although its varies on patriarchal patterns and official policies of that specific areas as well.
Gender perspectives on migration is very crucial since the report estimates that nearly one billion peoples across the glob are migrants, among these 740 millions are internal migrants-almost four times as many as those who have moved internationally;so,it’s now an issue of survival to the one seventh of the world population.
As per the report, India stands at 134th position with HDF value of 0.612 which marks hardly a rosy picture for Indian growth story; what this report shatters most is the complete obliviousness of the rural migration from India and other developing countries and their same valuation with high profile migration that normally tends for positional change and career advancement rather than a quest for survival.
Mass migration from north Bihar, Terain region of Nepal, Chakmas of Bangladesh can’t be compared with the inter state migration in U.S or even it couldn’t comparable with the exodus from Kerala to Gulf countries.
The basic thing which this report is severely missing the distinction between low end migration and high profile migration; for understanding better the plights of forced migrants, it would be essential to look from cultural and ecological perspectives apart from economic ones.
Subordination of villages and degradations of city life are more or less the outcomes of same development agenda that pushes common men for wrenching migration for attaining even minimum rudimentary facilities that hardly appeared before them at their native places.
For saving the villages and stopping the forced migration, it should be first task for development agencies to end the disguised unemployment in rural areas by creating proper productive atmosphere and strive make these areas the true place of productions.
For ensuring the dream of equal and just societies as well the attainment of financial inclusion plan, it should be foremost task of every policy makers to strive for seizing these areas as place of consumption by spurting a new entrepreneurial revolution from villages. Hope in future time we would see some positive change in our rural landscape through inclusive planning.
Atul Kumar Thakur
October8th2009, New Delhi
atul_mdb@rediffmail.com
Monday, August 31, 2009
Revisiting NREGA
In a short span of time National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) emerged as one of most profound government scheme for addressing the socio-economic plights of poor and marginalized rural workforce and infrastructure. NREGA introduced the finest example of cash for work model in India with some distinctness but same rudimentary propositions like some cash transfer programmes in other countries; Oportunidades (Mexico), Social Protection Network(Nicargua), Bolsa Escola and PETI(Brazil), Family Assignment Programme(RAF-Honduras), Chile Solidario (Chile) and Programme of Advancement through Health and Education(Jamaica).
These all implementation are in respective fields and making choices available to the poor beneficiaries.The NREGA evolved out of a political response to relentless people’s movement and the articulated needs of rural workers; indeed civil campaigns has been playing crucial role in its enactment and further in their functioning.
The NREGS is the first employment generation Programme in the country that holds socio-economic rights in a statutory framework and paves a comprehensive nexus between the mass rural workforce and the state authority which layout not only the NREGS albeit also a solid stride of democratic governance. It must be an exaggeration to expect from the partial success of this rural employment Programme to address all the hurdles of vast rural economy even though it’s a universal truth that NREGS has increased the bargaining power of rural farm and other workforce.
On many front NREGS have enhanced the prospect of revivals in rural economy but magnitude of its performances has been found uneven through region wise evaluation of its impacts on respective milieu. Despite this NREGS involves in creating productive assets, enhancing purchasing power, strengthening the Panchayats (Institution of local self governance) besides encouraging new height of transparency.
With broadening the horizons of NREGS it also raised the concern for medium and small marginal farmers as they are coping with higher and competitive labour costs for the farming; surely it’s a positive outlook in many ways but the deficiency of a rational support price, inclusive institutional credit facilities. Crop insurance, subsidies on basic inputs, cross border trade management etc are some haunting issues which jeopardizing the conditions of farmers.
This is a major issue before the government (Both the Central and State) to enabled these farmers through additional financial stimulous by that they would be able to sustain fetching the farm labourers in competitive scenario of rural labour market.
Governments must show better accountability to innovate and broaden the NREGS Programme to the other productive sectors which would further left the assumption that all poor are ready and willing to engage in physical work only. Such innovated NREGS Programme would be entrusted with the more meticulous and varied opportunities to lessen the vulnerability of literate rural unemployed. Implementation of this innovated employment guarantee Programme may come out with various challenges. The potential beneficiaries are expected to be the crucial issue that would be needed an innovative proposition in handling by the policy makers and governments as well.
Implementation of last fifty years of development programmes could make some sense in forming amicable solution of people’s entitlement that also broaden the stimulus and meet the human and social needs of diversified population.
First of all it’s most imperative to expand the existing works under NREGS and make enabling provisions to employing educated unemployed persons as support staff for the NREGS which would also fulfilled the shortage of staffs in projects. There also existed huge chances of spurting entrepreneurship with absorbing literate workforce for more useful productions which would left with finer implications like checking the outbound migration to urban areas; so NREGS could be used to maintain a fine balance and would retrieve the lost glory of Indian villages.
It may be unanimous view at least in proposition that NREGS bears the great entitlement with large pools of marginalized rural workforce that seems nearer to the Amartya Sen’s entitlement theory ‘That lack of access to food (Goods and Services) rather than failure in food supply leads to famines’ necessitated the importance of entitlement; fortunately which is core of NREGS programme.
NREGS holds very healthy composition of workforce; fifty percent of workers are women and rest of workforce consisted with majority of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, so its aim of socio-economic empowerment is much focused and well structured. Despite having many goods things in its wish list, this programme suffering from routinely violation by authorities which fudging its proper success at execution level.
Delay of payment, absence of work in stipulated time, late redressal of grievances are some of alarming happening in the execution of NREGS; social scientist and activist like Jean Dreeze have made excellent effort to unleash the various payments related discrepancies in Jharkhand. Today it’s imperative to make NREGS work efficiently and wipeout its functional maladies rather than blindly amending it.Attempts of Ministry of Rural Development to craft the format of “NREGA2” should be introduced only with a long range of debates that must involves its core constituents and ensure the basic foundation of NREGA more strengthened. The focus should be concentrated on demand based availability within the stipulated time frame without any frills and its further extension of 100 days work into a regular mode of job. Indeed with great commitments and vision this target is achievable.
Atul Kumar Thakur
31stAugust 2009, New Delhi
atul_mdb@rediffmail.com
These all implementation are in respective fields and making choices available to the poor beneficiaries.The NREGA evolved out of a political response to relentless people’s movement and the articulated needs of rural workers; indeed civil campaigns has been playing crucial role in its enactment and further in their functioning.
The NREGS is the first employment generation Programme in the country that holds socio-economic rights in a statutory framework and paves a comprehensive nexus between the mass rural workforce and the state authority which layout not only the NREGS albeit also a solid stride of democratic governance. It must be an exaggeration to expect from the partial success of this rural employment Programme to address all the hurdles of vast rural economy even though it’s a universal truth that NREGS has increased the bargaining power of rural farm and other workforce.
On many front NREGS have enhanced the prospect of revivals in rural economy but magnitude of its performances has been found uneven through region wise evaluation of its impacts on respective milieu. Despite this NREGS involves in creating productive assets, enhancing purchasing power, strengthening the Panchayats (Institution of local self governance) besides encouraging new height of transparency.
With broadening the horizons of NREGS it also raised the concern for medium and small marginal farmers as they are coping with higher and competitive labour costs for the farming; surely it’s a positive outlook in many ways but the deficiency of a rational support price, inclusive institutional credit facilities. Crop insurance, subsidies on basic inputs, cross border trade management etc are some haunting issues which jeopardizing the conditions of farmers.
This is a major issue before the government (Both the Central and State) to enabled these farmers through additional financial stimulous by that they would be able to sustain fetching the farm labourers in competitive scenario of rural labour market.
Governments must show better accountability to innovate and broaden the NREGS Programme to the other productive sectors which would further left the assumption that all poor are ready and willing to engage in physical work only. Such innovated NREGS Programme would be entrusted with the more meticulous and varied opportunities to lessen the vulnerability of literate rural unemployed. Implementation of this innovated employment guarantee Programme may come out with various challenges. The potential beneficiaries are expected to be the crucial issue that would be needed an innovative proposition in handling by the policy makers and governments as well.
Implementation of last fifty years of development programmes could make some sense in forming amicable solution of people’s entitlement that also broaden the stimulus and meet the human and social needs of diversified population.
First of all it’s most imperative to expand the existing works under NREGS and make enabling provisions to employing educated unemployed persons as support staff for the NREGS which would also fulfilled the shortage of staffs in projects. There also existed huge chances of spurting entrepreneurship with absorbing literate workforce for more useful productions which would left with finer implications like checking the outbound migration to urban areas; so NREGS could be used to maintain a fine balance and would retrieve the lost glory of Indian villages.
It may be unanimous view at least in proposition that NREGS bears the great entitlement with large pools of marginalized rural workforce that seems nearer to the Amartya Sen’s entitlement theory ‘That lack of access to food (Goods and Services) rather than failure in food supply leads to famines’ necessitated the importance of entitlement; fortunately which is core of NREGS programme.
NREGS holds very healthy composition of workforce; fifty percent of workers are women and rest of workforce consisted with majority of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, so its aim of socio-economic empowerment is much focused and well structured. Despite having many goods things in its wish list, this programme suffering from routinely violation by authorities which fudging its proper success at execution level.
Delay of payment, absence of work in stipulated time, late redressal of grievances are some of alarming happening in the execution of NREGS; social scientist and activist like Jean Dreeze have made excellent effort to unleash the various payments related discrepancies in Jharkhand. Today it’s imperative to make NREGS work efficiently and wipeout its functional maladies rather than blindly amending it.Attempts of Ministry of Rural Development to craft the format of “NREGA2” should be introduced only with a long range of debates that must involves its core constituents and ensure the basic foundation of NREGA more strengthened. The focus should be concentrated on demand based availability within the stipulated time frame without any frills and its further extension of 100 days work into a regular mode of job. Indeed with great commitments and vision this target is achievable.
Atul Kumar Thakur
31stAugust 2009, New Delhi
atul_mdb@rediffmail.com
Thursday, July 2, 2009
In Delhi or Waiting for Delhi
Being the capital of a billion plus size nation, it’s not surprising that Delhi draws a lot of attention from various quarters and spellbound the viewer who shows the concern with this vibrant city. Since the age old Delhi remains habitated and dominated by the so called outsiders; it may be a by chance phenomenon but it did happen in same manner.
In the view of top brass scholars from different fields, Delhi possessed the topnotch position due to its vibrant and consistent intellectual tradition. Off course there are many specialties in Delhi that could be found without making any hectic efforts. So, there should be no amazement if peoples across from the world are moving towards Delhi to enriched with such specialty but here my concern is towards some abnormal sort of craze towards Delhi and other metro cities of India which being arise from desperateness of rural workforce.
The prime reason of such escaping mentality is the improper consumption of workforce in rural areas because lack of proper mode of productions; so catching and utilizing best of their potential remains a distant dream so far. In my recent visits to several north Indian states I found the craze of escapement from their homeland among many peoples with whom I chatted; indeed most of them don’t do this in fantasy instead they are compelled for survival.
But among them I found some negative trend like the plan of short duration migration to cities that they alone think would enable them for bigger status in social hierarchy and street smart life. Such unplanned moves by these types of migrants are absolutely unhealthy for the prospects of their own original identity and where they fled mindlessly.
The real ironies is there living condition which still get inhuman sort of basic facilities in absence of regular income and social security in bigger cities. My real concern is with the grief of such migrants who lost both their cultural and emotional affiliation as well as the economic security.
Do only government’s facilities are inadequate so such state of affairs aroused? My reply will be partial yes because there are several factors like low investment (private as well), weak infrastructures, disguised unemployment, irregular opportunities, bandwagon effects etc are equally deteriorating their plight. Second categories of migrants are students whose rates are exceptionally high in state like Bihar; most of them have valid reason to fly in absence of proper higher educational facilities in their nearby areas in their state.
A state like Bihar must have proper and immediate university upgradation to check out the relentless exodus of their talent pool. Even though the level of governance has considerably improved in state but education sector is still lagging behind from actual paradigms.
Decentralization of central planning has immense potential for rural development, if their enactment will proceed in fair manners, many hurdles would be short; indeed which would benefit the rural hinterland most. So, with a sound rural economy Delhi would become able to welcome its new entrants in healthy manners and abundant civic facilities. We have a strong democracy with the sound constitutional base; we have to pick and make more resonant the two directive principles I. Upliftment of rural economy and II. Decentralization of power; to strengthen both the rural and urban area in equal manners. Hope we will see reverse trend in migration from urban to rural areas in next decades.
Atul Kumar Thakur
New Delhi, IInd July 2009
atul_mdb@rediffmail.com
In the view of top brass scholars from different fields, Delhi possessed the topnotch position due to its vibrant and consistent intellectual tradition. Off course there are many specialties in Delhi that could be found without making any hectic efforts. So, there should be no amazement if peoples across from the world are moving towards Delhi to enriched with such specialty but here my concern is towards some abnormal sort of craze towards Delhi and other metro cities of India which being arise from desperateness of rural workforce.
The prime reason of such escaping mentality is the improper consumption of workforce in rural areas because lack of proper mode of productions; so catching and utilizing best of their potential remains a distant dream so far. In my recent visits to several north Indian states I found the craze of escapement from their homeland among many peoples with whom I chatted; indeed most of them don’t do this in fantasy instead they are compelled for survival.
But among them I found some negative trend like the plan of short duration migration to cities that they alone think would enable them for bigger status in social hierarchy and street smart life. Such unplanned moves by these types of migrants are absolutely unhealthy for the prospects of their own original identity and where they fled mindlessly.
The real ironies is there living condition which still get inhuman sort of basic facilities in absence of regular income and social security in bigger cities. My real concern is with the grief of such migrants who lost both their cultural and emotional affiliation as well as the economic security.
Do only government’s facilities are inadequate so such state of affairs aroused? My reply will be partial yes because there are several factors like low investment (private as well), weak infrastructures, disguised unemployment, irregular opportunities, bandwagon effects etc are equally deteriorating their plight. Second categories of migrants are students whose rates are exceptionally high in state like Bihar; most of them have valid reason to fly in absence of proper higher educational facilities in their nearby areas in their state.
A state like Bihar must have proper and immediate university upgradation to check out the relentless exodus of their talent pool. Even though the level of governance has considerably improved in state but education sector is still lagging behind from actual paradigms.
Decentralization of central planning has immense potential for rural development, if their enactment will proceed in fair manners, many hurdles would be short; indeed which would benefit the rural hinterland most. So, with a sound rural economy Delhi would become able to welcome its new entrants in healthy manners and abundant civic facilities. We have a strong democracy with the sound constitutional base; we have to pick and make more resonant the two directive principles I. Upliftment of rural economy and II. Decentralization of power; to strengthen both the rural and urban area in equal manners. Hope we will see reverse trend in migration from urban to rural areas in next decades.
Atul Kumar Thakur
New Delhi, IInd July 2009
atul_mdb@rediffmail.com
Friday, March 13, 2009
Introspecting NREGS
National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme introduced as fresh employment scheme by the Government of India, which treats employment as a right and the program is conceived to be demand-driven. It will worthwhile to note that NREGS is entirely different in its conception as well as in execution pattern. Essentially it’s a step forward for social inclusion.
NREGS has potential to transform rural socio-economic mode of relations at different levels. Obviously NREGS essentially challenges the prevailing power structures. NREGS is necessarily “inclusive” at the most basic level in economic terms. Partial success of scheme is a sources of optimism. Despite having huge variation in participation in states. NREGS present optimism at national level.
Share Of Women : -
India’s(36.2%) in total rural workforce,48.9% in NREGS,differences-12.7%
Share of SCs-16.2% in total population, 30.9% in NREGS.differences-14.7
Share of STs-8.1% in total population, 24.1% in NREGS, differences-16%
(Sources-NSS 2004,NREGS Report on January 2008,Census 2001)
Participation of women shows inclusive potential of the program NREGS which involves a very fine gender balance which enabling a large number of them for institutional finance. Such involvement of womens in NREGS is likely to be positively reshape the gender configuration. High participation of SC in NREGS is quite natural as they lack access to means of property, their's share are similarly disproportionate among rural laborers and any other employment program of government.
Moreover,such high participation of STs in program is quite amazing. Because neither Geographical nor previous track records with other scheme was so conducive. Huge participation of STs at national level is a very encouraging sign of success for NREGS.
This trend is worth of admiration. Since the initial 200 districts were chosen on the basis of their backwardness and these tend to be tribal dominated areas as well as in many states,so it may not be surprising that STs have been so magnificently working in NREGS at the aggregate state level.Partial success of NREGS does not ensure a rosy path ahead. Institutions and Individuals are rapidly involved in the arena of corruption. The tremendous potential of the scheme is in danger of being wasted in some states.
There is too much scope for introspection to deal with massive corruption. There prevails a very low consciousness among the workers to their rights. Even 30 percent among them are exactly aware about their rights and their entitlement to 100 days of employment per year under the Act. This powerlessness is also due to the absence of any effective grievances redressal system for NREGS.
Effective presence of IT facilities in rural areas and unorganized civil society vitally determined the state of affairs. Weakness of local governance, also substantially affected the successful enactment of NREGS, this case is very strong in Jharkhand where Gram Panchayat elections have not been held since the enactment of 73rd &74th amendments of the constitution.
Jean Dreeze in his introspection of NREGS found some factors, which rapidly ails the system. These are: -
1.A repressive state people
2.Helplessness of working people
3.Lack of system to redress grievances
4.Absence of Gram Panchayats
5.Casual attitude of government
There are some key restraint before the NREGS. These maladies needs immediate checkout by strong measures by Peoples institutions through appropriate technology, skill development, leveraging market and adequate public investment.NREGS is a major source of domestic demand, which is very crucial for Indian Economy in present circumstances to come out from global financial downturn. Now it is time to realize that NREGS is about more than equity, it is also a very useful macroeconomic weapon against the economic slump and recession .
A strong civil society has off course plays very crucial role, though there effects are not alone enough. In a very lucid inquiry; Mihir Shah & Pramathesh Ambasa (Hindu, Sep 8,2008) found the success of NREGS. Social audit in Andhra Pradesh covering 12 million people is a brilliant example of civil society action, enriching mainstream politics.
In Andhra Pradesh, a fine understanding exists between peoples institution like Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Shangthan(MKSS)& Government. Besides this a separate existence of social audit is another favourable condition which enabled Andhra Pradesh to get breakthrough in NREGS implementation.The MKSS led by Aruna Roy, one of architects of NREGS introduced the concept of social audit into development practices nearly two decades ago. But even in Rajasthan, where MKSS started its work could not meet with same achievements to mainstreaming social audits.
A social audits of 17 NREGS Works in five Gram Panchayats of Deoghar district (Jharkhand),conducted on 12-16th October 2008,revealed some alarming facts related to discrepancies in bank payments .Lot of manipulated bank accounts were found which strengthen the chances of corrupt involvement of institutions like bank. So, it raises question marks on bank payments and Direct Cash Transfer(DCT) to cope with the corruption in NREGS.
Before NREGS, Indira Awas yozna(IAY) used to avail the DCT, where its proved inadequate to cope with corruption because biased involvement of government officials and middlemen’s.Situation is absolutely puzzling how to deal fairly with cash transaction during a project. For policy makers, it still remains a distant dream. Indeed DCT system is most improved solution till now; Economist like Arvind Subramanian even regards DCT as the “first best option “to address poverty in India.
Infact there shall be major concern towards growing violence in its path-like tragic death of Tapas Sen ,who immolated himself in Hazaribagh to protest against official harassment.Mode of NREGS functioning raises serious question against the partial functioning of authorities.
Violence during the project are quite rampant .Brutal murders of two NREGS activist (Lalit Mehta and Kameshwar Yadav) during a survey of NREGS initiated by the G.B .Pant Social Science Institute in Palamu and Kodarama districts left a frightening scar over the program.
Still a lot of fight is needed with such oddity to overcome from imposed hurdles. The NREGS has huge potential to enhance socio-economic dynamicism in country which makes alone suffice to makes its utility evident. Let us hope for more breakthrough…
Atul Kumar Thakur
New Delhi
March 2009
atul_mdb@rediffmail.com
NREGS has potential to transform rural socio-economic mode of relations at different levels. Obviously NREGS essentially challenges the prevailing power structures. NREGS is necessarily “inclusive” at the most basic level in economic terms. Partial success of scheme is a sources of optimism. Despite having huge variation in participation in states. NREGS present optimism at national level.
Share Of Women : -
India’s(36.2%) in total rural workforce,48.9% in NREGS,differences-12.7%
Share of SCs-16.2% in total population, 30.9% in NREGS.differences-14.7
Share of STs-8.1% in total population, 24.1% in NREGS, differences-16%
(Sources-NSS 2004,NREGS Report on January 2008,Census 2001)
Participation of women shows inclusive potential of the program NREGS which involves a very fine gender balance which enabling a large number of them for institutional finance. Such involvement of womens in NREGS is likely to be positively reshape the gender configuration. High participation of SC in NREGS is quite natural as they lack access to means of property, their's share are similarly disproportionate among rural laborers and any other employment program of government.
Moreover,such high participation of STs in program is quite amazing. Because neither Geographical nor previous track records with other scheme was so conducive. Huge participation of STs at national level is a very encouraging sign of success for NREGS.
This trend is worth of admiration. Since the initial 200 districts were chosen on the basis of their backwardness and these tend to be tribal dominated areas as well as in many states,so it may not be surprising that STs have been so magnificently working in NREGS at the aggregate state level.Partial success of NREGS does not ensure a rosy path ahead. Institutions and Individuals are rapidly involved in the arena of corruption. The tremendous potential of the scheme is in danger of being wasted in some states.
There is too much scope for introspection to deal with massive corruption. There prevails a very low consciousness among the workers to their rights. Even 30 percent among them are exactly aware about their rights and their entitlement to 100 days of employment per year under the Act. This powerlessness is also due to the absence of any effective grievances redressal system for NREGS.
Effective presence of IT facilities in rural areas and unorganized civil society vitally determined the state of affairs. Weakness of local governance, also substantially affected the successful enactment of NREGS, this case is very strong in Jharkhand where Gram Panchayat elections have not been held since the enactment of 73rd &74th amendments of the constitution.
Jean Dreeze in his introspection of NREGS found some factors, which rapidly ails the system. These are: -
1.A repressive state people
2.Helplessness of working people
3.Lack of system to redress grievances
4.Absence of Gram Panchayats
5.Casual attitude of government
There are some key restraint before the NREGS. These maladies needs immediate checkout by strong measures by Peoples institutions through appropriate technology, skill development, leveraging market and adequate public investment.NREGS is a major source of domestic demand, which is very crucial for Indian Economy in present circumstances to come out from global financial downturn. Now it is time to realize that NREGS is about more than equity, it is also a very useful macroeconomic weapon against the economic slump and recession .
A strong civil society has off course plays very crucial role, though there effects are not alone enough. In a very lucid inquiry; Mihir Shah & Pramathesh Ambasa (Hindu, Sep 8,2008) found the success of NREGS. Social audit in Andhra Pradesh covering 12 million people is a brilliant example of civil society action, enriching mainstream politics.
In Andhra Pradesh, a fine understanding exists between peoples institution like Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Shangthan(MKSS)& Government. Besides this a separate existence of social audit is another favourable condition which enabled Andhra Pradesh to get breakthrough in NREGS implementation.The MKSS led by Aruna Roy, one of architects of NREGS introduced the concept of social audit into development practices nearly two decades ago. But even in Rajasthan, where MKSS started its work could not meet with same achievements to mainstreaming social audits.
A social audits of 17 NREGS Works in five Gram Panchayats of Deoghar district (Jharkhand),conducted on 12-16th October 2008,revealed some alarming facts related to discrepancies in bank payments .Lot of manipulated bank accounts were found which strengthen the chances of corrupt involvement of institutions like bank. So, it raises question marks on bank payments and Direct Cash Transfer(DCT) to cope with the corruption in NREGS.
Before NREGS, Indira Awas yozna(IAY) used to avail the DCT, where its proved inadequate to cope with corruption because biased involvement of government officials and middlemen’s.Situation is absolutely puzzling how to deal fairly with cash transaction during a project. For policy makers, it still remains a distant dream. Indeed DCT system is most improved solution till now; Economist like Arvind Subramanian even regards DCT as the “first best option “to address poverty in India.
Infact there shall be major concern towards growing violence in its path-like tragic death of Tapas Sen ,who immolated himself in Hazaribagh to protest against official harassment.Mode of NREGS functioning raises serious question against the partial functioning of authorities.
Violence during the project are quite rampant .Brutal murders of two NREGS activist (Lalit Mehta and Kameshwar Yadav) during a survey of NREGS initiated by the G.B .Pant Social Science Institute in Palamu and Kodarama districts left a frightening scar over the program.
Still a lot of fight is needed with such oddity to overcome from imposed hurdles. The NREGS has huge potential to enhance socio-economic dynamicism in country which makes alone suffice to makes its utility evident. Let us hope for more breakthrough…
Atul Kumar Thakur
New Delhi
March 2009
atul_mdb@rediffmail.com
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