The Report - North 24 Parganas

the pond needs to be excavated even further, Anil feels. “There is only 5 to 6 feetof water in the pond.”In terms of betterment in earnings, Anil states that the yields of rice haveimproved on the fields. “In the past we had about 10 bags of lesser quality ofrice. Now we have better qualities of produce and about 6 to 7 bags of rice intotal.” Anil also has leased land for rice cultivation. Whatever the produce is, hehas to share about 2 bags of rice with the land owners.When asked about the facilities of the job card, he says that he really hopes thatwork is available for atleast 50 days. “During the rainy season, it is hard to work.So we don’t think we can work for one hundred days.” Anil also says that “workmight not be available as well for all the days promised on the job card. Work isgenerally available on river bank building and road construction within thevillage or nearby villages.”Anil has had the job card for 11 months. He believes that NREGA would definitelyreimburse the labourers. “Some villagers cannot wait for delayed payments. Thatis understandable. But the money would never be forfeited.” So the program hasreally been useful for landless labourers who are constantly looking for work.