CAG report flags low job generation under MGNREGA in Bihar

The audit observed that only 9%-14% of the registered disabled persons were provided employment under the scheme during the 2014-19 period.

A Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India report on the general, social and economic sectors for the year ending March 31, 2019, has observed that registration of all potential job seekers, especially the landless casual labourers, under the Mahatma Gandhi national rural employment guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005, needs substantial improvement in Bihar.

MGNREGA is a socio-economic measure introduced by the United Progressive Alliance government in 2005 (PTI)

“Though Bihar has the highest number of landless casual labourers in the country at 88.61 lakh and 60.88 lakh (69%) were surveyed, only 3.34% (3,007 out of 90,161 of willing landless households) were issued job cards. In the test check districts, less than one per cent (146 out of 22,678 willing landless households) were issued job cards and survey work was discontinued. Specific plans, as required, for providing employment opportunity to the vulnerable group of households were not prepared,” stated the report which was tabled in the Bihar legislative assembly on Thursday.

The audit observed that only 9%-14% of the registered disabled persons and 5%-9% of senior citizens (60 years and above) were provided employment under the scheme during the 2014-19 period in the state.

“Overall, during the lean period (July to November), against the work demanded by 26%-36%, only 2%-9% of households were provided employment during 2014-19. Besides, only 14% of total works taken up were completed in respect of works for the creation of durable assets despite directions from the ministry of rural development, while 65% work remained incomplete for one to five years and 61% did not even start,” said the report, which focused on the implementation of MNREGS.

It underlines a very low achievement against the target of focus area and poor convergences of MNREGS work with the schemes of other departments, viz. forests, agriculture, rural development, panchayati raj etc.

“Overall, households that availed 100 days employment ranged between less than 1% and 3% of the demand in the state and only 14% work taken up during 2014-19 were completed,” the report added.

According to the report, during the 2014-19 period, the state utilised schemes funds to the tune of ₹10,960.52 crore (98%) out of available funds of 11,181.72 crore. Wage employment was provided to 99.44 lakh households. On average, households earned wages amounting to ₹33,642 in the state during the period, lower than the national average of ₹37,639. Bihar was ranked 21st in the country in terms of average wage generation.

The report has pointed out deficiencies, with respect to non-reporting of social audit finding/quality of report, non-maintenance of complaint register, vacancy in the office of ombudsman and lack of 10-member vigilance and monitoring committee at the level of gram panchayat as per scheme guidelines, non-immunisation of wage slip to workers, irregularity in payment of wages through E-Shakti programme and improper maintenance of records and registers.

“Institutional arrangements and measures taken for capacity building for implementation of the scheme need to be further strengthened. There was an acute shortage of manpower in test-checked districts (37%) and at the state level (42%) in various cadres of posts. Financial management was deficient as observed through huge liabilities in respect of pending wages and cost of materials, diversion of scheme funds, pending adjustment of advanced since long, non-closure of inoperative bank accounts, etc. There was low employment generation in the state,” the report said, stressing the need for a “bottom-up approach of planning”.