Abstract

This report focuses on two districts in Karnataka, selected by the state’s Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj. The taluks and eight Gram Panchayats within these taluks were selected on the basis of having the highest proportion of individual land works under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), compared to the total works undertaken. The report examines the coverage of various beneficiary categories in individual land works under MGNREGS, compliance with implementation conditions, and the impact on land productivity, with the aim of identifying process deviations and suggesting improvements.

The report reveals compliance issues with implementation requirements among the sampled beneficiaries. Analysis of work files uncovered execution lapses, including missing documentation of key dates related to approvals, administrative sanctions, beneficiary notifications, and completion certificates. The report argues that while not all missing data might have resulted from deliberate actions, these lapses raise concerns about accountability and transparency in the implementation process. The key policy implications of the report is the need for targeted information, education, and communication (IEC) efforts at the community level. Additionally, the relevant technical departments within each taluk administration should develop a comprehensive inventory of individual land works that are suitable for implementation in their respective jurisdictions.

BV Rao, M., & Kumar, AS. (2013). Role of MGNREGA in improving productivity of land through works undertaken on lands belonging to SC/ST and others. Bengaluru, India: Centre for Budget and Policy Studies and Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Government of Karnataka.