SOIL Report 2008 - ACCESS Development Services

Public Systems: Major central government anddonor-supported programmes for Livelihood Promotionvii. flood control and protection works including drainage in water-logged areas;viii. rural connectivity to provide all-weather access; andix. any other work which may be notified by the central government in consultation with the stategovernment.The Act envisages that the scheme will lead to large-scale creation of livelihood assets in rural areaswhich can have a sustainable impact on rural poverty.Box 5.1 NREGA: Fundamental Principles, Basic EntitlementsFundamental Principles:• Employment on demand• Legal right• Universal entitlement• Participatory approach• Accountability to PRIs• Full transparencyThe Actenvisages thatthe large-scalecreation oflivelihood assetsin rural areaswhich can havea sustainableimpact on ruralpoverty.Basic Entitlements:• Employment within 15 days of application• Unemployment allowance• Work within 5 km• Minimum wages• Payment within 15 days• No gender discrimination• Basic worksite facilitiesSource: Drèze, J., and C. Oldiges. 2007. How is NREGA doing? MimeoUpholding the Rights perspective, the Act clearly defines the conditions for guaranteed rural employmentand the minimum entitlements of labourers or workers. However, there are only very few instances ofunemployment allowance being paid (reportedly from Madhya Pradesh and Orissa) when work allocationis delayed beyond 15 days.Box. 5.2 NREGA – Recent Initiatives1. Labourers who have done a minimum of 15 days of work would be eligible for cover underNREGA − Rs 30,000 for natural death and Rs 75, 000 for accident under the Janashree BimaYojana in the rural poor category. The Centre would pay Rs 100, half the annual premium, withthe rest to be paid by the state or the labourer. The states have also been asked to cover all eligibleNREGA workers under the Rashtriya Swasthya Yojana.2. The central government has decided to provide 2.5 million people living with HIV/AIDS withjob cards and employment under NREGA.Source: Newspaper reports – 7 August 2008107