SECTION - II CHAPTER VII
Research Methodology and Schedule
7.1 Objectives of conducting survey.
7.2 Assumptions before conducting the survey.
7.3 Research Methodology.
7.4 Nature of Schedule used.
214 CHAPTER - VII
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND SCHEDULE
7.1 OBJECTIVES OF CONDUCTING SURVEY
The survey was carried out to study the administration and functioning of the EGS and its impact on the beneficiaries. Following questions were raised for the purpose of acquiring the ascertained objectives from the survey by way of the schedule
1. What is the personal profile of the labourers involved in EGS work?
This includes :
a) Their educational level.
b) Their social category
c) Type of family
d) Number of children
e) Total family size
f) Gender-wise classification
g) Age groups of labourers involved.
2. What are the agencies implementing EGS works and what is the
percentage of these agencies in the implementation?
3. What are the various types of works executed under the EGS?
4. What is the nature of the requirement of work i.e. whether the work is
required in seasonal or perennial basis?
215 5. What is the regularity of taking attendance on the worksite?
6. How soon is the EGS work given from the date of registration?
7. Is unemployment allowance available if the work is not provided
within the stipulated period?
8. Are the labourers aware of their entitlement to get unemployment
allowance if the work is not provided within the stipulated period?
9. What is the maximum daily wage rate under the EGS i.e. what is the
wage rate under the scheme?
10. In what form are the wages paid to the labourers?
11.What is the satisfaction level of the labourers regarding the wages
paid?
12.What is the trend of the labourers regarding the EGS work as
compared to farm work?
13. W hat is periodicity of work availability?
14. What is the periodicity of receiving wages for the works?
15.How much is the duration of work in a day on the EGS worksite?
16.How much is the distance of worksite from the village / home of the
labourers?
17. What is the level of absenteeism of labourers?
18. What is the regularity of visits by Junior Engineer / Supervisors to the
worksite?
19. What is the regularity of work measurement?
216 20.What is the satisfaction level of the labourers regarding the work
measurement?
21.What is the regularity of visits made by the Vigilance Committee /
Vigilance Squad?
22.Are orientation or training programme arranged by Non-Government
Organizations or social workers?
23.What are the different facilities and amenities available to the
labourers at the worksite?
24. Are any special facilities available to the women labourers?
25.What is the level of awareness among the labourers regarding the
facilities and amenities at the worksite?
26. What is the economic standing of the labourers involved in the EGS
work?
27.What are the other income sources of the labourers involved in EGS
work?
28. Which are the methods adopted by the labourers for saving purpose?
29. What are the habits of the labourers regarding entertainment such as
reading newspapers, watching television, listening to the radio, etc.?
30. What are the adverse habits of the labourers such as consumption of
bidi, cigarettes, tobacco, etc.?
217 31. What is the perception of the labourers regarding the EGS work?
This includes :
a) Is EGS work helpful for the education of children?
b) Does EGS create productive public assets in the villages?
c) Are the EGS assets properly used or are they misused?
d) Is the EGS work programme beneficial to the society?
e) Does EGS help in providing gainful employment to the rural
society?
7.2 ASSUMPTIONS BEFORE CONDUCTING THE SURVEY
The survey was carried out in Akole and Pathardi tehsil during the early months of year 2004. There were certain assumptions before conducting the actual survey. This includes :
1. Two tehsils were selected for the study i.e. Akole tehsil and Pathardi
tehsil of the Ahmednagar district. The Ahmednagar district has 14
tehsils but only above two tehsils was selected for the study. These
two tehsils are considered as representative of the Ahmednagar
district.
2. The EGS worksites selected for the survey have been assumed to be
representative of all the worksites involved in the EGS and
conclusions drawn would be valid for all the works involved in the
EGS.
218 3. There are various Government agencies, involved in implementing the
EGS work. It is assumed that all these agencies are equally important
and equal weightage has been given to them while conducting the
survey.
4. The thesis includes the study of the EGS in Maharashtra State for the
period of 1990 - 1991 to 1999 - 2000. However, the actual survey is
carried out in the year 2004. It is assumed that, the conclusions drawn
from the survey are valid for the period considered under the study
and thereafter.
7.3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
SAMPLE DESIGN
Geographical Area
The study is carried out in Ahmednagar district. The Ahmednagar district is one of the largest districts of Maharashtra in terms of area covered.
There are fourteen tehsils in Ahmednagar district. For the administration purpose, the Ahmednagar district has been divided in two parts by the revenue machinery viz. North region of the Ahmednagar district and
South region of the Ahmednagar district. There are seven tehsils in North region. These are Shevgaon, Kopargaon, Rahuri, Shrirampur, Rahata,
Sangamner and Akole. In the South region, there are also seven tehsils involved. These are Pamer, Nagar, Shrigonda, Karjat, Jamkhed, Newasa and Pathardi. The researcher has selected Akole tehsil from North region and Pathardi tehsil from South region. Akole tehsil is selected on the basis of one of its unique features of being a tribal area of the district.
219 whereas Pathardi tehsil is selected on the basis of its characteristics of rainfed area of Ahmednagar district and alternating to high labour intensity belt of Ahmednagar district. Thus, these two tehsils viz. Akole and Pathardi are expected to represent Ahmednagar district.
Worksites
Number of ongoing worksites varies from period to period, according to total number (universe) of worksites started by the Government. It was 108 in both Akole and Pathardi tehsil on 4'*’ May, 2001 and it was 111 on 19'*’ May, 2001. Therefore, the researcher has selected 50 worksites from both the tehsils. Out of them, twenty two worksites were selected from Akole tehsil whereas twenty eight worksites were selected from Pathardi tehsil. While selecting the worksites, all implementing agencies and maximum types of works, which are undertaken under the EGS are covered. Due to wider area of both the tehsils, the researcher has selected fifty worksites. The researcher has applied the purposive or judgemental sampling technique while selecting the worksites for the study.
Labourers
Number of attendance of labourers also varies from period to period, for example, it was 5,519 on 4'’’ May, 2001 and it was 4,900 on 19“’ May, 2001 for both the tehsils. Therefore, the researcher has selected 200 labourers from the above two tehsils, namely, Akole and Pathardi tehsils. The major criteria for selecting worksites and labourers as samples were balanced representation of the universe.
220 DATABASE
The study is based on suvery method. Both primary and secondary sources are used for collection of data.
An extensive pretested schedule / questionnaire was prepared for collecting the data on the EGS. First hand information was collected from the discussion with officials and non-official persons associated with the EGS programme. In order to make the study more meaningful and realistic, the actual working of the scheme was observed during the several visits made to the worksites at Akole and Pathardi tehsils by the researcher.
Tehsilwise distribution of the EGS labourers in the sample was as follows :
Tehsils Worksites Nos. of labourers Percentage covered selected of sample for the survey to the total Akole 22 88 44
Pathardi 28 112 56
Total 50 200 100
Questionnaire method was primarily utilized to collect the data from the concerned labourers of the EGS. For this purpose, the number of labourers selected was on the basis of non-probability sampling method. This non-probability sampling is not based on the concept of probability and it is also known as “Non Random Sampling” technique.
Within this non-probability sampling technique, the actual method selected was “Convenience or Incidental or Accidental” sampling 221 method. This method is widely used in practice and has several advantages of non-probability sampling technique/
The advantages of this method includes :
a) Simplicity in nature.
b) Convenience for execution.
c) Economical in practice.
This method is specially useful for a study which is of exploratory nature, where the focus is on getting new insights into a given problem. ^
The data collected by the survey was compiled and analyzed by using tabulation method and making use of the computer ‘MS-Excel’ programme. Various graphs, diagrams and comparative tables were used in analyzing the data collected through the survey and in drawing conclusions.
Secondary Data
The secondary data used for the study included various types of records available at the official sources such as, the district Collectorate EGS branch, district Statistical office, number of books, reports, articals such as Government published booklets on EGS, Committee report on reformation of EGS, Notes prepared for the visits of Revenue Commissioner, Nasik and Reports of Member of Legelative Assembly Committee visits, EGS Act, etc. The data mainly pertained to the agency implementing the scheme and their beneficiaries. However, in order to make the study more meaningful and realistic, more emphasis has been given on primary data.
222 7.4 NATURE OF SCHEDULE USED
A study of administration of employment guarantee scheme in Maharastra state 1990 - 1991 to 1999 - 2000 with special reference to Ahmednagar District.
QUESTIONNAIRE FOR LABOURERS
A] PERSONAL PROFILE OF THE LABOURERS. 1) Name 2) Address 3) Tehsil 4) Age
5) Sex Male Female
6) Education up to 4'^ Std5'^ -9 ^ '’
lO^’Passed 12“^ Passed
Graduate Other Specify
7) Social Category SC ST
VJNT OBC
OPEN
8) Type of family size Joint Nuclear
9) Number of children. More Than 6 Issueless
10) Total Number of 1 2 3 4 5 6 More Than 6 family (Including self)
2 2 3 B] ABOUT EGS WORK 1) Name of the village of work site
2) Name of the Agency implementing EGS Works -
Irrigation I------1 Agriculture
P. W. D. I I Forest
Z.P. ( Local body ) |------1 Any Other ( Specify)
3) Type of Work you are now engaged in -
Minor Irrigation Project 1^ Rural Road
Soil Conservation ^ Social forestry Village Tank d Jawaher Well
Forest work ^ Any Other ( Specify) 4) Requirement of work -
Seasonal [H Perennial 5) Is there attendance taken on work site daily? Regularly I----- 1 Most of the time Sometimes '----- ' Never Don’t Know 6) How soon do you get work from the date of registration with Talati / Gramsevak?
Within 7 days I------1 8 to 14 days ^
15 to 30 days ' ' More than 30 days ^
1 A) If work is not provided within 15 days, after registration for work, do you get unemployment allowance?
Y e s I------1 N o
2 2 4 7 B) Are you aware that if no work is provided within 15 days after registration for work, you are entitled to get unemployment
allowance.? Yes No Don’t know I ...J 8) Your maximum daily wage rate for work under EGS is Rs ------
9) How are your wages paid ? Cash I-- 1 Food Grain I---- 1 Both I------1 10) Are you satisfied with the wages ? Fully satisfied CZI Partly Satisfied Not Satisfied CH Don’t know 11 )A) If you have available farm work would you still join EGS work? Mostly I Sometimes Never I------Don’t know B) If Yes, because of Need for more wages Cl Food Facility
Less efforts ^ Any Other ( Specify)
12) As compared to work under EGS, in other alternative work the wages received would have been — More I------1 Less 1 Don’t KnowEqual I ------11 Don’t KnowEqual 13) How many days work is available in a month on EGS up to 10 days d Z I 11-15 days 16 - 21 days I I Above 21 days
2 2 5 14) Your periodicity of receiving wages is
Weekly I 1 Fortnightly Monthly I ..J Irregularly 15) How many hours do you work in a day on site -
Upto 4 hrs 5 hrs 6 hrs 7 hrs 8 hrs Above 8 hrs
16) How many kilometers is this work site from your home/village.?
Less than 1 km I I l-5kms 6-8 kms I---- 1 More than 8 kms 17) Do you get ‘Identity card - cum-wage book’? Yes I I No 18) In a month how many days are you absent for work ?
1-4 days 5-7 days 8-10 days Above 10 days
19) How many times does the Junior. Engineer / Supervisor visit your site ?
Daily I----- J Mostly Sometimes I I Never Don’t know I------1 20) Is measurement of your work taken in your presence ? Yes, every time I I Mostly Sometimes I I Never Don’t know I I 21) Are you satisfied with your measurement of work? Totally satisfied IZZI Mostly satisfied Satisfied to some extent Not satisfied at all Don’t know 226 22) If you have any complaints related to work, does the
site supervisor help to solve it? Always I J Mostly
Sometimes '----- ' Never 23) Is your work site visited by vigilance committee or vigilance squad? Most of the time '----- 1 Sometimes Never '----- ' Don’t know 24) Is there any Orientation or training programme arranged related to work by voluntary organization or social workers? Regularly I----- 1 Sometimes
Never '----- ' Don’t Know
C) AMENITIES TO LABOURERS
1) Is drinking water facility available on site ? Always available I----- 1 Sometimes available
Never available '----- 1 Don’t know 2) Is shelter for rest at the time of Interval available on site ? Always available I I Sometimes available Never available '-----' Don’t know 3) Is first Aid Box available on site? Always available I I Sometimes available Never available I I Don’t know 4) Is creche, Midwife facility for children available on site ? Always available I I Sometimes available Never available I----- 1 Don’t know
2 2 7 5) Do you know about the maternity benefit facility of paid leave
given to the women labourers Yes, I know Don’t know
6) Do you know about facility of ex-gratia Payment, in case of accident or death to labourer on work site? Yes, I know I I Don’t know
D) ABOUT THE LABOURERS ECONOMIC STANDING.
1) What is the size of your agricultural land holding? Landless I I Less than 1 Hectare. I----- 1
More than 1-upto 4 Hectares'----- ' More than 4-upto 10 Hectares Above 10 Hectares I----- 1 2) What is the type of water facility used in your farm? Only monsoon I I Ground well Bore well I----- 1 Canal Lift Irrigation I I Percolation Tank Any Other(Specify) I I 3) Which Crop pattern do you take on your land? Single I----- 1 Double Multiple I----- 1 None 4)A)Do you pay any amount for land revenue and other cess in last year. Yes I----- 1 No B) If Yes, what is the amount paid in rupees? Land Revenue Rs______Other cess Rs______
2 2 8 5) What is you income source other than farming for a month ?
Selling Milk '------' Wages (Other than EGS ) Some-trading activity '------' Any other (Specify)
6 ) A) Have you taken any loan in the previous five years? NoYes I----- 1 B) If Yes, from whom - Relative/ friend Pathsanstha
Co-operative Bank Govt. Agency Commercial Bank Any other (Specify) I----- 1
C) If loan has been taken, for what purpose(s) ? Digging Well/ Bore well L_ I Leveling of Land □ Marriage of daughter '------1 Hospital Expenses Repayment of previous debt I------1 Building of house Any Other (Specify) 1_ I
7) A) Have you built a new house/undertaken expansion of existing
house during the last five years?
Yes No B) If Yes, which type ? RCC r Load Bearing T- Angle I Mud Built 8) Do you have any savings with ? Post Office [ Bhisi (Bachat) Group Co-operative Bank ' Commercial Bank Any other ( Specify)
2 2 9 9) What qty of food grain was produced from your land in the previous year? Type Yes/No Qty Type Yes/No Qty in quintals in quintal
Jawar Yes / No Bazra Yes / No Wheat Yes / No Paddy-Rice Yes/No Pulses Yes / No Any other Yes/No Total Production in Quintals 10) Which of the following goods did you buy in the last five years? LP Gas Connection I------1 Motor Cycle T.V. CIZl Radio Telephone I------1 Fan Grinding Machine Any other( Specify)
11) Have you purchased any agricultural land in the last five years? YesIZZI No 12) Have you sold agricultural land in the last five years?
Yes[ZZI No 13) Are you a holder of ‘below poverty line card’? Yes □ No 14) Do you read newspapers? Daily Sometimes Frequently 15) Do you watch TV ? Daily Sometimes Frequently Never
2 3 0 16) Do you listen to the radio ?
Daily Sometimes Frequently Never 17) Are you habitual to the following? To a great Extent To some Extent Never
a) Bidi (ZZl CZ b) Cigarette I I c) Tobacco I I d) Misri I I e) Any other | |
E) PERCEPTION OFEGS
1) How often do you come for EGS work ? Every Year I I Mostly Sometimes I----- 1 First time
2) Wheather wages for EGS work availability is helpful to your children education ?
Very helpful '---- ' Helpful [ Less helpful '---- 1 Not At All ^
3) Do you think that EGS creates productive public assets in the villages? On a very large Scale Substantial II To Some extent Not at all Don’t know
2 3 1 4) Are EGS assets misused in your village?
All the time I----- 1 To a great extent To Some extent I----- 1 Not at all Don’t know I------1
5) Do you think that EGS programme is beneficial to the society.? Definitely, to a great extent I------1 Reasonable extent To Some extent '------' Not at all Don’t know '
6) In the drought situation, is EGS providing gainful employment to the society? Definitely, to a great extent I I Reasonable extent I I To Some extent I----1 Not at all I I Don’t know I----1
7) Overall, What is your opinion about the EGS?
2 3 2 R e fe r e n c e s
1. Research Methodology Bhattacharya B.K. Excel Books, New Delhi First Edition, 2003 Pages 91 to 96
2. Research Methodology Kasande S.P. Nirali Prakashan, Pune Second Edition, 2003 Pages 54 to 56
2 3 3 ANNEXURE VI LIST OF WORKSITES SELECTED FOR THE STUDY AKOLE TEHSIL Sr.No. Name of Village Implementing Agency Type of Work 1 Kalamb Irrigation Percolation Tank
2 Brahamwada Z.P. Percolation Tank
3 Dhamangaon Z.P. Percolation Tank
4 Lohit Forest Plantation
5 Gondhani Forest Plantation
6 Belapur Forest Plantation
7 Kalas Forest Plantation
8 Kalamb Forest Maintenance Work 9 Pimpaldari Z.P. Road
10 Deothan Agriculture Nalla-bunding
11 Ghoti Agriculture Nalla-bunding
12 Lingdeo Agriculture Bandhara
13 Kadas Agriculture C.C.T.
14 Sharankhel Agriculture C.C.T.
15 Pimpalgaon Agriculture C.C.T.
16 Belthan Agriculture C.C.T.
17 Rajur Agriculture Nalla-bunding
18 Samudra Agriculture Nalla-bunding 19 Jamgaon Agriculture C.C.T. 20 Fopsandi Agriculture C.C.T.
21 Gondoshi Z.P. Village Tank
22 Takahari Irrigation Percolation Tank
2 3 4 LIST OF W ORKSITES SELECTED FOR THE STUDY
PATHARDI TEHSIL
Sr.No. Name of Village Implementing Agency Type of Work 1 Shirsatwadi Forest Plantation
2 Madhi P.W.D. Road
3 Miri P.W.D. Road
4 Kothewadi Irrigation Percolation Tank
5 Dhamanwadi Irrigation Percolation Tank
6 Alhanwadi Agriculture Soil Conservation
7 Shirapur Agriculture Soil Conservation
8 Chichondi Agriculture Soil Conservation
9 Landanwadi Agriculture Soil Conservation
10 Jatdeole Agriculture Soil Conservation
11 Gitewadi Agriculture Soil Conservation
12 Karanji Agriculture Soil Conservation
13 Dharwadi Agriculture Soil Conservation
14 Damalwadi Agriculture Soil Conservation
15 Mohari Agriculture Soil Conservation
16 Somthane Irrigation Village Tank
17 Ghatshiras Irrigation Percolation Tank
18 Susare Irrigation Percolation Tank
2 3 5 Sr.No. Name of Village Implementing Agency Type of Work 19 Bharjwadi Z.P. Village Tank 20 Manewadi Irrigation Percolation Tank 21 Yeli Z.P. Village Tank 22 Bhalgaon Irrigation Percolation Tank 23 Handaiwadi P.W.D. Road 24 Vrudheshwar Agriculture Soil Conservation 25 Kharwandi Irrigation Percolation Tank 26 Keiwandi Irrigation Percolation Tank 27 Chitali P.W.D. Road 28 Mohata Forest Plantation
2 3 6 C H A P T E R VIII
Analysis and Findings
8.1 Personal Profile of Respondents
8.2 Analysis of the Survey
2 3 7 CHAPTER-VIII
ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY
The analysis and the findings of the survey is broadly classified as under:
8.1 Personal profile of the respondents.
8.2 Analysis of the survey.
8.1 PERSONAL PROFILE OF THE RESPONDENTS.
1) Age-wise classification of respondents
Table Number 8.1
Classification of respondents according to age
Age Group Number of Percentage (In Years) Respondents Below 18 Nil 0
18 to 25 22 11
26 to 35 58 29
36 to 45 62 31
45 to 55 46 23 Above 55 12 6 Total 200 100
2 3 8 Diagram Number 8.1
Age-wise Classification of respondents (in years)
Above 55 18 to 25 6% 11% 45 to 55 23% 26 to 35 29%
36 to 45 31%
■ 18 to 25 D26 to 35 0 3 6 to 45 B45 to 55 H Above 55
Observations and Findings :
1. The highest age group i.e. about 31 percent respondents were in the age group of 36 to 45 years. It is followed by about 29 percent respondents who were in the age group of 26 to 35 years, which is followed by about 23 percent respondents in the age group of 45 to 55 years. About 11 percent respondents were in the age group of 18 to 25 years. The lowest i.e. about 6 percent respondents were above the age group of 55 years.
2. The two age groups 26 to 35 years and 36 to 45 years covers about 60 percent of the total respondents. These age groups have the maximum need for labour work.
2 3 9 3. Since the Employment Guarantee Scheme is a Government scheme, the minimum age required is of 18 years to opt for the work. Due to this none of the respondents are below 18 years.
4. Employment Guarantee Scheme work is a manual work and hence, the number of respondents above 55 years is only about 6 percent.
2) Gender-wise classification of respondents
Table Number 8.2
Classification of respondents according to gender
Gender Number of Percentage Respondents Male 156 78
Female 44 22 Total 200 100
Observations and Findings :
1. Out of total respondents, there are 78 percent male respondents and 22
percent are females.
2. In the Indian context, it is generally the males, who are the bread earners and females who prefer the house activities. Hence, females are not willing to take initiative as respondents.
3. One reason for low number of female respondents is that the females are reluctant to fill the questionnaires and prefer that the males in their family should fill up the questionnaires.
2 4 0 4. In addition to the above fact, out of the total female respondents, about 91 percent female respondents have not completed their matriculation.
3) Education-wise classification of respondents
Table Number 8.3
Classification of respondents according to education
Educational Level Number of Percentage Respondents Upto 4“’ 100 50
5'” to 9^'’ Std. 62 31 10"’ Passed 24 12
12‘‘’ Passed 6 3
Graduate 8 4 Any Other Nil 0 Total 200 100
2 4 1 Diagram Number 8.2
Education-wise Classification of respondents 120
i2 100 c 0) ■O 80 c §. (/} 60 a) QC o 40 o■ 20
0 1 1 Up to 4th 5th to 9th 10th 12th Graduate Std. Passed Passed
. of Respondents ■ Percentage
Observations and Findings :
The table shows the classification of respondents according to their educational qualifications. From this table, one can to know the quality of labour, which is available for the EGS work.
1. The maximum i.e. about 50 percent respondents have studied upto 4‘^ standard only. It is followed by about 31 percent respondents who have completed their education between the 5* standard to 9*'’ standard, which is followed by 12 percent respondents who have succeeded in their matriculation. Four percent respondents were working in the scheme who have completed their graduation. The
2 4 2 lowest i.e. about 3 percent respondents have completed their higher secondary education.
2. The two groups of educational level i.e. studied upto the 4'^ class and between the to class respondents covers about 80 percent of total respondents. This non-matriculate mass group is entirely dependent upon unskilled labour work.
3. Out of total respondents, about 19 percent respondents are more educated i.e. they have completed their matriculation or higher secondary of education.
4. The respondents who opt for education at higher secondary level, are completing their further college education. They are working on the EGS for financially assisting their families.
5. The respondents who are graduate and working on the scheme in Pathardi tehsil, have joined the EGS work because of unavailability of jobs and services. Pathardi tehsil being a draught prone area, the number of regular jobs available are less.
2 4 3 4) Gender-wise education level of respondents
Table Number 8.4
Number of respondents according to Gender and Educational level
Edu. Level Gender wise Number of Percentage Respondents Male % Female % Total Upto 4“’ 70 68.63 32 31.37 12 51
5'*^ to 9“'’ Std. 50 86.21 8 13.79 58 29
lO'” Passed 26 92.86 2 7.14 28 14
12''’ Passed 2 50.00 2 50.00 4 2 Graduate 8 10.00 Nil 0 8 4
Any Other Nil 0 Nil 0 Nil 0 Total 156 78.00 44 22.00 200 100
Diagram Number 8.3
No. of re Gender-wise education level of respondents 80 i2 c 70 a> ■o 60 c 50 o 50 Q- ESMale ■ Female 2 4 4 Observations and Findings : 1. Out of total respondents, who have completed education upto the 4'*' standard, there are about 69 percent male respondents and about 31 percent are female respondents. 2. The respondents who have the education from S'*' to 9'*’ standard, about 86 percent are male respondents and about 14 percent are female respondents. 3. Out of total S.S.C. passed respondents, 93 percent respondents are male where as 9 percent are female respondents. 4. Out of total H.S.C. passed respondents, half of the respondents are male respondents and half of the respondents are females. 5. All graduate respondents are male. None of the female respondents was a graduate. 2 4 5 5) Classification according to number of children Table Number 8.5 Classification of respondents according to number of children Number of Children Number of Percentage Respondents Issueless 6 3 One Child 12 6 Two Children 68 34 Three Children 44 22 Four Children 32 16 Five Children 22 11 Above Five Children 16 8 Total 200 100 Diagram Number 8.4 Classification according to number of children 80 68 W 70 S 60 § 50 44 ■ -- 1 (0 40 '=m 32 O ■ ■ a 30 22 o 16 20 12 6 r 10 0 Issueless One Child Two Three Four Five Above Children Children Children Children Five Children No. of Children 2 4 6 Observations and Findings : 1. The highest i.e. about 34 percent respondents have two children. It is followed by 22 percent respondents who have three children. This is followed by 16 percent respondents who have four children. Besides this, 11 percent respondents have 5 children and 8 percent respondents have more than five children. At the minimum level, there are 6 percent respondents who have a single child and 3 percent respondents are issueless. 2. About 43 percent of the respondents have two or less number of children showing increasing awareness of family plarming to some extent. 6) Classification according to family size of respondents Table Number 8.6 Classiflcation of respondents according to family size Family Size Number of Percentage Respondents Joint 100 50 Nuclear 100 50 Total 200 100 Observations and Findings : 1. The table shows that the respondents who participate in the EGS work arrive from joint families as well as nuclear families. It shows that 2 4 7 about 50 percent respondents are from both joint families and remaining 50 percent respondents are from nuclear families. 2. Half of the respondents are from nuclear families which indicates that the trend of divided families is increasing in rural areas. 7) Classification according to number of family members of respondents Table Number 8.7 Classiflcation of respondents according to number of family members Number of Family Number of Percentage Members Respondents (Including Self) One Nil 0 Two 2 1 Three 10 5 Four 48 24 Five 70 35 Six 4 2 Above Six 66 33 Total 200 100 2 4 8 Observations and Findings : 1. Maximum i.e. about 35 percent respondents came from the families whose number of family members is five. This is followed by about 33 percent respondents whose number of family members is more than six, which is followed by about 24 percent respondents whose number of family members is four. About 5 percent respondents are those whose number of family members is three and about 2 percent respondents are those whose number of family members is six. Besides this, minimum i.e. about one percent respondents are those whose number of family members is only 2. Out of the total respondents, about 70 percent respondents came from families whose number of family members is more than four. 8) Category-wise classification of respondents Table Number 8.8 Classification of respondents according to Social Category Social Category Number of Percentage Respondents Scheduled Caste (SC) 22 11 Scheduled Tribe (ST) 30 15 Vimukta Jati and Nomadic Tribe (VJNT) 40 20 Other Backward Class (OBC) 34 17 Open Category 74 37 Total 200 100 2 4 9 Observations and Findings : 1. Out of the total respondents maximum i.e. about 37 percent respondents are from Open category. This is followed by 20 percent respondents from Vimukta Jati and Nomadic Tribes, which is followed by 17 percent from Other Backward Class category, 15 percent from Scheduled Tribe category and 11 percent respondents from Scheduled Caste category. 2. Respondents from Vimukta Jati and Nomadic Tribes (VJNT) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) categories respondents are sizable and in scale as compared to their population size. In the Akole tehsil, nearly half of the population consists of Scheduled Tribe community. Akole tehsil is known as Tribal tehsil on the map of Maharashtra. In a similar way, in case of Pathardi tehsil also the population of Nomadic Tribes is sizable. This has led to predominance of such respondents in the study areas. 3. Two dominant social categories viz. Open category and Other Backward Class category which are mainly farmers and cultivators group represent 54 percent of total respondents. In the lean period of agriculture activities, majority of small and marginal farmers are attracted to the EGS work instead of remaining unemployed. 4. Amongst all categories. Scheduled Caste respondents represent lowest participation i.e. about 11 percent respondents. It may be due to their migration to some extent to the urban areas for procuring assured and continuous wage employment. 2 5 0 9) Gender-wise and aeencv-wise classification of respondents Table Number 8.9 Number of respondents according to the Agency implementing and Gender-wise classification of the respondents Agency Gender Classification Percentage Implementing Male % Female % Total Irrigation 12 27.27 32 72.72 44 22 Agriculture 64 34.11 4 5.88 68 34 PWD 16 100 Nil 0 16 8 Forest 32 84.21 6 15.78 38 19 ZP (Local Body) 34 10 Nil 0 34 17 Any Other Nil 0 Nil 0 Nil 0 Total 158 42 200 100 Diagram Number 8.5 Agency-wise and Gender-wise Classification 70 64 (A 60 C o T3 50 C O 40 34 w ( 32 32 £ 30 ■ o 20 16 d 12I 10 m 0 0 0 ■ Irrigation Forest ZP (Local a Male ■Female Body) 2 5 1 Observations and Findings: 1. Out of the total respondents who are engaged in the Irrigation agency’s work, about 27 percent are male labourers and about 73 percent are female labourers. 2. Out of the total respondents of Agriculture agency, 94 percent are male labourers and about 6 percent are female labourers. 3. In the case of Public Works Department agency’s work, there are 100 percent male labourers. 4. On the Forest agency, there are about 84 percent are male labourers and about 16 percent are female labourers. 5. In the case of Zilla Parishad agency’s work, there are 100 percent male labourers. 6. Among the above 4 agencies, maximum i.e. about 34 percent respondents are engaged in the Agriculture agency. It is followed by Irrigation agency which has 22 percent, Forest agency coverup 19 percent, Zilla Parishad agency coverup 17 percent and minimum i.e. about 8 percent respondents are involved in the work of Public Works Department’s agency. 7. Among the all agencies, maximum i.e. about 100 percent respondents are males who engaged in the Public Works Department and Zilla Parishad agency. And minimum i.e. about 27 percent male respondents are engaged in the work of Irrigation agency. 8. Maximum i.e. about 73 percent female respondents are engaged in the work of Irrigation agency, whereas, minimum i.e. about 6 percent female respondents are engaged in the work of Agriculture agency. 2 5 2 10) Gender-wise requirement of work Table Number 8.10 Number of respondents according to requirement of work and Gender classiflcation. Requirement Gender Classification Percentage of W o rk M ale % Female % Total Seasonal 74 71.15 30 28.85 104 52 (47.44%) (68.18%) Perennial 82 85.40 14 14.60 96 48 (52.56%) (31.82%) Total 156 100 44 100 200 100 (100%) (100%) Diagram Number 8.6 Gender-wise Requirement of Work 90 80 74 c 70 a> ■g 60 §. 50 (0 ® 40 •S 30 o 20 10 0 Seasonal Perennial OMale ■Female Observations and Findings : 1. From the total respondents, there are 52 percent respondents having need of EOS work for a seasonal period, whereas about 48 percent 2 5 3 respondents have need of EGS work throughout the year i.e. on a perennial basis. 2. According to requirement of seasonal work, out of the total 104 respondents, there are 74 respondents i.e. 71.15 percent respondents are male. Whereas, 30 respondents i.e. 28.85 percent are female respondents. 3. According to requirement of perinnal work, out of total 96 respondents, there are 82 respondents i.e. 85.42 percent respondents are male respondents. Whereas 14 respondents i.e. 14.60 percent are female respondents. 4. Out of total male respondents i.e. 156, out of them 74 respondents i.e. 47.44 percent respondents requirement of EGS work is on seasonal basis. Whereas, 82 respondents i.e. 52.56 percent respondents requirement of EGS work is on perennial basis. 5. Out of total female respondents i.e. 44, out of them 30 respondents i.e. 68.18 percent respondents requirement of EGS work is on seasonal basis. Whereas, 14 respondents i.e. 31.82 percent respondents requirement of EGS work is on perennial basis. 2 5 4 8.11 Classification according to type of family along with requirement of work Table Number 8.11 Number of respondents according to the requirement of work along with type of family. Family Type Requirement of Work Percentage Seasonal Perennial % Total Joint 6464.00 36 36.00 100 50.00 Nuclear 40 40.00 60 60.00 100 50.00 Total 104 96 200 100 Obseryations and Findings : 1. In joint family type there are 64 percent respondents who need work for a seasonal period, whereas 36 percent respondents need EGS work throughout the year i.e. there is a perennial need. 2. In the nuclear i.e. about divided family type, 40 percent respondents need seasonable work, whereas 60 percent respondents require the EGS work throughout the year i.e. about need of perermial work. 3. In a joint family structure the responsibility of work and earning is divided or shared among the all adult members. However, in the nuclear family, there is no scope of dividing such responsibility. Due to this the percentage of respondents who require perennial work is more in case of nuclear families. 2 5 5 8.2 ANALYSIS OF THE SURVEY 1) Classification of respondents according to agency implementing Table Number 8.12 Number of respondents according to the Agency implementing Agency Implementing Number of Percentage Respondents Irrigation 44 22 Agriculture 68 34 PWD 16 Forest 38 19 ZP (Local Body) 34 17 Any Other Nil 0 Total 200 100 Observations and Findings : 1. Out of total respondents maximum i.e. about 34 percent respondents are working under the Agriculture agency. It is followed by about 22 percent respondents who are working under the Irrigation agency, which is followed by about 19 percent respondents who are working under the Forest agency. 2. About 17 percent respondents are working under the Zilla Parishad agency and the minimum i.e. about 8 percent respondents are working under the Public Works Department agency. 2 5 6 Diagram Number 8.7 Agency Implementing the EGS Work ZP (Local Body) Irrigation 17% 22% Forest 19% Agriculture 34% Irrigation ■ Agriculture DPWD □ Forest UZP (Local Body) 2 5 7 2) Type of work carried out in EGS Table Number 8.13 Number of respondents according to the type of work carried out. Type of Work engaged in Number of Percentage Respondents Minor Irrigation Project 42 21 Soil Conservation 68 34 Rural Roads 18 9 Village Tanks 34 17 Forest Works 38 19 Farm Ponds Nil 0 Any Other Nil 0 Total 200 100 Diagram Number 8.8 Type of Work carried out in EGS Minor Forest Works Irrigation 19% Project 21% Village Tanks 17% Rural Roads Soil 9% Conservation 34% 2 5 8 Observations and Findings : 1. Maximum i.e. about 34 percent respondents were engaged in the Soil Conservation works.. It is followed by about 21 percent respondents who were engaged in Minor Irrigation projects, which is followed by 19 percent respondents who were engaged in Forest works. Besides this, about 17 percent respondents were engaged in the work of Village Tank and minimum i.e. about 9 percent respondents were engaged in Rural Road works. None of the respondents were engaged in the work of Farm Ponds. 2. Irrigation department, Agriculture department. Public Works Department and Forest department are the main agencies of EGS. Zilla Parishad (as a local body) also works as an independent agency of EGS. 3. The above mentioned four main agencies and Zilla Parishad as an independent agency have several sub-divisions. 2 5 9 3) Regularity of taking attendance Table Number 8.14 Number of respondents according to the regularity of attendance taken on work site daily. Nature of Attendance Number of Percentage taken Respondents Regularly taken 200 100 Most of the time taken Nil 0 Sometimes taken Nil 0 D on’t Know Nil 0 Total 200 100 Observations and Findings: According to all respondents the labourers work attendance is taken by the Muster Assistant at the work site daily and regularly. None of the respondents disagreed with this. The attendance muster is the basic document on the basis of which the wages are paid. The wages are paid on actual work measurement as well as on attendance. 2 6 0 4) Period of waiting for getting work Table Num ber 8.15 Period of waiting for getting work from the date of registration Period of Waiting Number of Percentage Respondents Within 7 days 42 21 8 to 15 days 54 27 16 to 30 days 82 41 More than 30 days 22 11 Total 200 100 Observations and Findings : 1. According to maximum i.e. about 41 percent respondents, EGS work is available between the period of 16 to 30 days from the actual registration for seeking the work. 2. According to minimum i.e. about 11 percent respondents, the waiting period of getting work is more than 30 days. 3. According to about 27 percent respondents, the waiting period for getting employment is 8 to 14 days. 4. According to 21 percent respondents, EGS work is available within only 7 days from the date of registration for getting work. 5. According to the provision of EGS Act, work should be made available within 15 days after a labourers registration for getting work. However according to about 52 percent respondents opinion, the work is not made available in the stipulated time. 2 6 1 5) Awareness pertaining to unemployment allowance provision Table Number 8.16 Awareness regarding unemployment allowance provision Awareness about provision Number of Percentage of unemployment allowance Respondents Yes 78 39 No 122 61 Total 200 100 Observations and Findings : 1. Out of total respondents, about 39 percent respondents are aware about the provision of unemployment allowance. Whereas about 61 percent respondents are unaware about the provision of unemployment allowance that the Government is bound to give unemployment allowance, if it fails to provide EGS work within 15 days after the registration for getting the work. 2. This shows that sufficient knowledge regarding the EGS and its regulations is not there. 2 6 2 6) Classification of respondents according to receipt of unemployment allowance Table Number 8.17 Number of respondents according to receipt of unemployment allowance Receipt of unemployment Number of Percentage allowance Respondents Yes Nil 0 No 200 100 Total 200 100 Observations and Findings : 1. Out of the total respondents, none have received unemployment allowance from the State Government. According to the provision of the EGS Act, if the Government fails to provide work within the period of 15 days from the date of registration of employment seekers, the Government is bound to provide the unemployment allowance to the employment seeker. 2. This shows that the State Government is not fulfilling its responsibility of providing unemployment allowance to the beneficiaries under the EGS. 2 6 3 7) Daily wages received under EGS Table Number 8.18 Number of respondents according to daily wages received under EGS Wages (In Rs.) Number of Percentage Respondents Upto 50 18 54 51 to 60 46 23 61 to 70 22 11 71 and above 24 12 Total 200 100 Diagram Number 8.9 Daily wages received under EGS (In Rs.) 71 and above 12% 61 to 70 11% Up to 50 54% 51 to 60 23% m Up to 50 ■ 51 to 60 □ 61 to 70 □ 71 and above 2 6 4 Observations and Findings : 1. Maximum i.e. about 54 percent respondent received wages upto the Rs.50 per day. It is followed by about 23 percent respondents who received daily wages between the Rs.51 to Rs.60, which is followed by about 12 percent respondents who received daily wages above Rs.71 per day. About 11 percent respondents received wages in the range of Rs.60 to Rs.70 per day. 2. According to the survey, about 77 percent respondents received upto Rs.60 per day, whereas about 23 percent respondents have obtained wages above Rs.60 per day. Existing minimum wages for EGS works are Rs.51, Rs.49, Rs.47 and Rs.45 according to zone number 1,2,3 and 4 respectively. However, entire Ahmednagar district is covered in zone number 2. 3. The wage rate is uniform according to zones which were prepared by the State Government. However, wages are received according to the actual work done by the respondents. 4. The average daily wage of labourer is Rs.69. 2 6 5 8) Mode of getting wage payment under EGS Table Number 8.19 Number of respondent according to the mode of wages paid to the labourer. Mode of wages paid Number of Percentage Respondents Cash Nil 0 Foodgrain Nil 0 Both 200 100 Total 200 100 Observations and Findings: All the respondents are getting their wages normally partly in cash and partly in foodgrains. The State Government wants to ensure that atleast part of the income earned is utilized for meeting the basic necessity of life i.e. need for food. For this reason, there is a combination of both i.e. cash and foodgrains coupons are given as wages. 2 6 6 9) Satisfaction level regarding wage obtained Table Number 8.20 Satisfaction level of respondents regarding the wages received. Satisfaction Level Number of Percentage Respondents Fully Satisfied 76 38 Partly Satisfied 96 48 Not Satisfied 26 13 Don’t Know Total 200 100 Observations and Findings: 1. Maximum i.e. about 48 percent respondents seem to be partly satisfied with their wages. 2. There are 38 percent respondents who are fully satisfied with the obtained wages. 3. There are 13 percent respondents who are unsatisfied with their wages. 4. In this way, about 61 percent respondents are not fully satisfied regarding the amount of wages received. 2 6 7 10) Classification of respondents according to their willingness to join EGS work if alternative farm work is available Table Number 8.21 Number of respondents according to their willingness to join EGS work, If alternative farm work is available Willingness to join Number of Percentage EGS work Respondents Mostly willing 34 17 Sometimes willing 142 71 Never willing 24 12 Don’t Know Nil 0 Total 200 100 Observations and Findings : 1. Maximum i.e. about 71 percent respondents are sometimes willing to join the EGS work in the situation of alternative farm work available. 2. Minimum i.e. about 12 percent respondents would never join the EGS work in the case of alternative farm work is available. 3. Although, the alternative farm work may be available to the respondents, there are about 17 percent labourers mostly willing to join the EGS works. 4. Out of total respondents, 88 percent respondents have given preference to the EGS work, even though they have alternative option of farm work. 2 6 8 5. Thus it appears that their is more preference for EGS work. This may be due to assured employment and wages, as well as other facilities available at the worksite. 11) Reasons for preference given to the EGS work« if alternative farm work is available Table Number 8.22 Number of respondents according to reasons for preference given to the EGS work, if alternative farm work is available. Reasons for preference Number of Percentage for EGS work Respondents Need for more wages 50 25 Foodgrain Facility 12 51 Less Efforts Nil 0 Any other reason 48 24 Total 200 100 Observations and Findings : 1. Out of the total respondents, maximum i.e. about 51 percent respondents are attracted to EGS work by virtue of availability of foodgrain facility. 2. About 25 percent respondents prefer EGS work due to need for more wages. EGS work is assigned to gangs of labourer and the actual wage is determined by a weekly measurement of the work taken by Junior 2 6 9 Engineers or equivalent officials in other departments. All members of the gang get equal wages. 3. About 24 percent respondents give preference to the EGS work due to other reasons. These reasons include the EGS works are available in the village or in the vicinity of five kilometers of this village, work is available to couple i.e. husband and wife. Many times such work is available for a month or more than a period of month etc. 4. Out of the total respondents, no one has given the reason of ‘less efforts’ for giving preference to the EGS work. From this, it is clear that EGS is not a “less efforts” work but involves hard physical work. 12) Comparison of wages received under EGS work with alternative work Table Number 8.23 Number of respondents according to their opinion regarding wages received under EGS work as compared with alternative work / wages Alternate wages Number of Percentage Respondents More 62 31 Less 64 32 Equal 44 22 Don’t Know 30 15 Total 200 100 2 7 0 Observations and Findings : 1. Maximum i.e. about 32 percent respondents opinion is that in comparison, alternative wages would have been less than EGS wages. 2. According to about 31 percent respondents, EGS wages are less than other alternative wages. 3. About 22 percent respondents consider that the EGS wages and alternative wages are equal. 4. Thus, according to about 54 percent respondents, the wages under EGS work are not better than that in alternative work. But out of necessity, they are working on the EGS work. 5. About 15 percent respondents are not aware of the amount of wages for alternative work. 13) Periodicity of getting work in a month on EGS Table Number 8.24 Number of respondents according to work available in a month on EGS. Number of days work Number of Percentage available Respondents Upto 10 days 4 2 11 to 15 days 16 8 16 to 21 days 28 14 Above 21 days 152 76 Total 200 100 2 7 1 Observations and Findings: 1. Maximum i.e. about about 76 percent respondents have obtained more than 21 days woric through EGS in a month. 2. Minimum i.e. about about 2 percent respondents have obtained upto 10 days EGS work in a month. 3. According to 14 percent respondents, they have received EGS work in the range of 16 to 21 days in a month. 4. According to the 8 percent respondents, they have been getting EGS work between 11 to 15 days in a month. 5. About 90 percent respondents obtained EGS work for more than 15 days in a month. This is mostly because during the period of survey, the drought situation all over the Ahmednagar district lead to more worksites being made available through the EGS. 14) Periodicity of receiving wages Table Number 8.25 Number of respondents according to periodicity of receiving wages Periodicity of Number of Percentage receiving wages Respondents Weekly Nil 0 Fortnightly 188 94 Monthly 4 2 Irregularly 8 4 Total 200 100 2 7 2 Observations and Findings : 1. Maximum i.e. about 94 percent respondents have obtained their wages after fortnightly period. 2. Minimum i.e. about only 4 percent respondents received their wages irregularly or after more than one month. This may be because of negligence in work measurement by the concerned authority. 3. According to 2 percent respondents they have been getting wages after a period of about one month. 4. Mostly all the respondents have been receiving their wages regularly in time i.e. after completion of fortnightly muster. 15) Number of working hours spent on worksite Table Number 8.26 Classification of respondents according to number of working hours spent on worksite Working hours Number of Percentage spent on site Respondents Upto 4 hours Nil 0 5 hours 6 3 6 hours 28 14 7 hours 62 31 8 hours 14 52 Above 8 hours Nil 0 Total 200 100 2 7 3 Observations and Findings: 1. Maximum i.e. about 52 percent respondents are working for eight hours in a day which is excess period by one hour according to minimum requirement by the EGS working hours norms. 2. There are 31 percent respondents working for seven hours in a day which is the minimum hours limit according to the EGS Act. 3. There are 14 percent respondents working for six hours in a day. 4. Minimum i.e. about 3 percent respondents are working upto five hours in a day. 5. There are total 83 percent respondents working seven hours or more than seven hours at worksite in a day. 6. None of the respondent was found who works for less than five hours or more than eight hours. 7. The work is carried out by ‘gangs of workers’. The gangs of worker works together for equal hours of time. All members of the gang get equal wages in respective of gender classification. 8. The average working hours of labourers on the worksite was seven hours and 32 minutes. 2 7 4 16) Distance of worksite from the village of the respondents Table Number 8.27 Number of respondents according to the distance of worksite from the home/village of the respondents Distance Number of Percentage (in kms.) Respondents Less than 1 kms 72 36 1 to 5 kms 12 51 6 to 8 kms 18 More than 8 kms Total 200 100 Observations and Findings : 1. Maximum i.e. about 51 percent respondents have to travel 1 to 5 kilometers from their home / village for attending the EGS work. 2. There are 36 percent respondents who have to travel less than one kilometer for joining EGS work from their home / village. 3. There are 9 percent respondents who have to be travel 5 to 8 kilometers for joining EGS work from their home / village. 4. Minimum i.e. about 4 percent respondents have to travel more than 8 kilometers for joining the EGS work from their home / village. 5. Out of total respondents, 87 percent respondents have to travel maximum 5 kilometers from their home / village for joining EGS work. According to the EGS Act, work has to be provided in the 2 7 5 vicinity of 5 kilometers. Thus most of the worksite distances are as per the required norms. 6. About 13 percent respondents have to travel more than 5 kilometers from their home / village for joining the EGS work. This distance is excessive according to the guidelines provided by the EGS Act. 17) Classification of respondents according to acquirement of identity card cum wage book Table Number 8.28 Number of respondents according to receipt of Identity card cum wage book Receipt of Identity card Number of Percentage cum wage book Respondents Yes, received 80 40 Not received 120 60 Total 200 100 Observations and Findings: The State Government have started providing Identity card-cum-wage book to the labourers as a part of transparency of wage record. Out of the total respondents, 40 percent respondents have received the identity card-cum-wage book where as remaining 60 percent respondents have yet to receive such identity card / wage book. Thus majority of respondents have not received the Identity card-cum-wage book. 2 7 6 18) Absenteeism from work in a month Table Number 8.29 Number of respondents according to their absenteeism from work Days of absenteeism Number of Percentage Respondents 1 to 4 days 162 81 5 to 7 days 12 8 to 10 days 20 10 More than 10 days Total 200 100 Observations and Findings: 1. Maximum i.e. about 81 percent respondents remained absent 1 to 4 days from work in a month. 2. There were 10 percent respondents who stayed absent for 8 to 10 days in a month. 3. There were 6 percent respondents who did not attend work for a period of 5 to 7 days in a month. 4. Minimum i.e. about only 3 percent respondents remained absent above 10 days from the work in a month. 5. Out of total respondents, about 87 percent respondents were absent for the maximum period of 7 days, whereas, 13 percent respondents were absent for the period of more than 8 days. 2 7 7 19) Nature of visits of Junior Engineer / Supervisor to the worksite Table Number 8.30 Classiflcation of respondents according to the visits of the Junior Engineer / Supervisor to the worksite. Nature of visit Number of Percentage Respondents Daily 30 15 Mostly 44 22 Sometimes 124 62 Never Don’t Know Nil 0 Total 200 100 Observations and Findings : 1. According to about 62 percent respondents, the frequency of visits of Junior Engineer or Supervisor is at the minimum level. Their visit to the worksites were less frequent. 2. According to the opinion of 22 percent respondents, the frequency of visits of Junior Engineer or Supervisor is more. They made their visits to the worksites more frequently. 3. According to the opinion of 15 percent respondents, the visit of Junior Engineer or Supervisor is on a daily basis. 4. According to one percent respondents, Junior Engineer or Supervisor never visits the worksite. 2 7 8 20) Frequency of measurement taken Table Number 8.31 Number of respondents according to the frequency of measurement taken Frequency of Number of Percentage Measurement Respondents Yes, every time 190 95 Mostly 8 Sometimes Never Nil 0 Don’t Know Nil 0 Total 200 100 Observations and Findings : 1. According to the opinion of 95 percent respondents, the measurement of work is taken in the presence of respondents, whereas one percent respondents said that the measurement of work was sometimes taken in their presence. 2. According to 4 percent respondents, measurements were mostly taken in their presence. 3. The payment is made on the basis of work measurement. For this reason, the authorities as well as labourers are more particular about taking their work measurement. 2 7 9 21) Satisfaction level of respondents regarding the measurement of work Table Number 8.32 Satisfaction level of respondents regarding the measurement of work Satisfaction level Number of Percentage Respondents Totally Satisfied 132 66 Mostly Satisfied 40 20 Satisfied to some extent 18 Not Satisfied at all Nil 0 Don’t Know 10 Total 200 100 Observations and Findings : 1. Maximum i.e. about 66 percent respondents are totally satisfied regarding their measurement of work. It is followed by 20 percent respondents who are mostly satisfied about their measurement of work; which is followed by 9 percent respondents who are satisfied to some extent for their measurement of work. 2. None of the respondent was totally unsatisfied by the measurement of work. 2 8 0 22) Frequency of help available to solve com plaints at the worksite Table Number 8.33 Classification of respondents regarding frequency of help available to solve complaints at the worksite Frequency of help Number of Percentage available Respondents Always available 138 69 Mostly 50 25 Sometimes 10 Never Total 200 100 Observations and Findings : 1. According to about 69 percent respondents, the worksite supervisors are always available for solving their complaints. 2. According to about 25 percent respondents, the worksite supervisors are most of the times available at worksite for solving their complaints. 3. According to 5 percent respondents, the worksite supervisors are sometimes available at worksite for solving their complaints. 4. One percent respondents said that, the worksite supervisors are never available at worksite for solving their complaints. 5. Thus, it appears that the worksite supervisors are mostly available on the worksite to solve the complaints, if any, at the worksites. 2 8 1 23) Regularity of visits by Vigilance Squad to the worksite Table Number 8.34 Classification of respondents according to regularity of visits by Vigilance Squad to the worksite Regularity of visit Number of Percentage Respondents M ost of the time 46 23 Sometimes 72 36 Never 50 25 D on’t Know 32 16 Total 200 100 Observations and Findings: 1. According to 23 percent respondents, the vigilance squad gave visit to the worksite most of the times. ‘Most of the times’ means when vigilance squad visits each of the on-going worksites at least once. 2. Maximum i.e. about 36 percent respondents felt that the vigilance squad sometimes visited the worksite. 3. According to 25 percent respondents, the vigilance squad never paid visit to the worksite. 4. Minimum i.e. about 16 percent respondents are unable to state the frequency of squad visit to worksite. 5. It seems that although worksite supervisors are available at worksite, the vigilance squad is not very particular about their visits. 282 24) Availability of training programmes related to work arranged by voluntary organizations or social workers Table Number 8.35 Number of respondents according to availability of training programmes related to work arranged by voluntary organizations or social workers Availability of Training Number of Percentage Programm e Respondents Regularly available Nil 0 Sometimes available 48 24 Never available 10 50 D on’t Know 52 26 Total 200 100 Observations and Findings : 1. According to about 50 percent respondents, there is no availability of any type of training programme related to the work. 2. Out of total respondents, about 26 percent respondents are unable to state about the availability of training programme by the voluntary agencies or by social workers. 3. According to the 24 percent respondents, voluntary agencies sometimes arrange training programmes for the respondents. 4. None of the respondents felt that there were regular training programme by voluntary agencies or by social workers organization. 283 25) Availability of drinking water at worksite Table Number 8.36 Number of respondents according to availability of drinking water at worksite Availability of Number of Percentage drinking water Respondents Always available 182 91 Sometimes available 18 9 Never available Nil 0 D on’t Know Nil 0 Total 200 100 Observations and Findings : According to about 91 percent respondents, the drinking water facility is always available at worksite, whereas remaining 9 percent respondents felt that the drinking water facility is sometimes available at worksite. 284 26) Availability of shelter for rest at the worksite Table Number 8.37 Number of respondents according to availability of shelter for ‘rest’ at the worksite Availability of shelter Number of Percentage Respondents Always available 122 61 Sometimes available 76 38 Never available 2 1 Don’t Know Nil 0 Total 200 100 Observations and Findings : 1. According to about 61 percent respondents, shelter for rest at the time of interval is always available at worksite. 2. According to about 38 percent respondents, shelter facility is sometimes available at the worksite. 3. One percent respondents felt that shelter facility is never available at worksite. 285 27) Availability of first-aid box at the worksite Table Number 8.38 Number of respondents according to availability of first-aid box at the worksite Availability of Number of Percentage first-aid box Respondents Always available 170 85 Sometimes available 28 14 Never available 2 1 D on’t Know Nil 0 Total 200 100 Observations and Findings : 1. According to about 85 percent respondents, the facility of first-aid box is always available at the worksite. 2. According to about 14 percent respondents, the facility of first-aid box is sometimes available at the worksite. 3. According to one percent respondents, the facility of first-aid box is never available at the worksite. 286 28) Availability of creche, midwife facility at the worksite Table Number 8.39 Number of respondents according to ayailability of creche, midwife facility at the worksite Availability of creche, Number of Percentage midwife facility Respondents Always available 140 70 Sometimes available 56 28 Never available 4 2 D on’t Know Nil 0 Total 200 100 Obseryations and Findings: 1. Maximum i.e. about 70 percent respondents felt that the facility of creche and midwife is always available at the worksite. 2. According to about 28 percent respondents, the facility of creche and midwife is sometimes available at the worksite. 3. Minimum i.e. about 2 percent respondents said that the facility of creche and midwife is never available at the worksite. 287 29) Level of awareness regarding maternity benefit facility Table Number 8.40 Number of respondents according to leyel of awareness regarding maternity benefit facility Leyel of awareness Number of Percentage Respondents Are aware about the 106 53 maternity facilities Not aware about the 94 47 maternity facilities Total 200 100 Obseryations and Findings : Out of total respondents, about 53 percent respondents were aware about the maternity benefit facility to the female labourers, whereas about 47 percent respondents were unaware about the maternity benefit facility provided by the State Government to the female labouerers. Maternity benefit includes, leave with wages is given equal to one days wages for every five days continuous attendance of a female labourer. This benefit is given for maximum 150 days. 288 30) Classification of respondents according to Gender and level of awareness regarding maternity benefit facility Table Number 8.41 Gender-wise classification of respondents according to the leyel of awareness regarding ex-gratia payment, in case of accident at worksite Level of Gender-wise classification Number of Percentage Awareness Male % Female % Respondents Aware 130 90.27 14 9.72 144 72 Not aware 26 46.52 30 53.57 56 28 Total 156 44 200 100 Observations and Findings: 1. According to about 72 percent respondents the facility or provision of ex-gratia payment is known to them. Out of these, about 90 percent are male respondents and about 10 percent are female respondents. 2. According to about 28 percent respondents they are not aware of the facility or provision of ex-gratia payment. Out of these, about 46 percent are male respondents and about 54 percent are female respondents. 3. Thus, it appears that the awareness level regarding this facility is less with the female respondents. 289 31) Size of agricultural land holding Table Number 8.42 Number of respondents according to size of agricultural land holding Size of land holding Number of Percentage Respondents Landless 38 19 Less than 1 hectare 64 32 1 to 4 hectares 90 45 4 to 10 hectares 8 4 Above 10 hectares Nil 0 Total 200 100 Diagram No. 8.10 Size of Agricultural Land Holding 4 to 10 hectares Landless 4% 19% 1 to 4 hectares 45% Less than 1 hectare 32% m Landless ■ Less than 1 hectare □ 1 to 4 hectares □ 4 to 10 hectares 290 Observations and Findings: 1. There are about 19 percent respondents who are landless labourers. 2. There are about 32 percent respondents who have less than one hectare agricultural land. According to the Government norms, the farmers who have less than one hectare i.e. about 2.47 acres agricultural land are known as ‘Marginal Farmers’. 3. Maximum i.e. about 45 percent respondents have 1 to 4 hectares agricultural land holding. 4. Minimum i.e. about 4 percent respondents have 4 to 10 hectares land holding. 5. There was not a single respondent who had more than 10 hectares agricultural land. 6. Out of total respondents, 96 percent respondents are either landless labourers or marginal farmers or small farmers. This is the group which is the beneficiary of the EGS work. 291 32) Types of irrigation facility used Table Number 8.43 Number of respondents according to irrigation facility used in their agriculture land Irrigation facility Number of Percentage Available Respondents Monsoon based 92 46 Ground Well 68 34 Bore W ell 2 1 Canal Nil 0 Not Available 38 19 Total 200 100 Diagram No. 8.11 Types of Irrigation Facility Used Not Available 19% B ore W ell M o n so o n 1% b a s e d 46% Ground Well 34% a Monsoon based ■ Ground Well DBore Well ■ Not Available (Landless) 292 Observations and Findings: 1. Maximum i.e. about 46 percent respondents depend upon monsoon for their cultivation and harvesting. 2. Minimum i.e. about only one percent respondents have bore well facility for irrigating the agricultural land. 3. There are about 34 percent respondents having ground well facility for irrigating the agricultural land. 4. There are 19 percent respondents who are landless hence, there is no question of type of water facility used. 5. None of the respondent had an irrigation facility of canal or lift irrigation or percolation tank. 2 9 3 33) Crop pattern on agricultural land of respondents Table Number 8.44 Number of respondents according to crop pattern in their agricultural land Crop Pattern Number of Percentage Respondents Single 64 32 Double 88 44 M ultiple 10 None 38 19 Total 200 100 Observations and Findings : 1. Maximum i.e. about 44 percent respondents have adopted single crop pattern in their agricultural land. This is followed by 32 percent respondents who are using double crop pattern in their agriculture land, which is followed by 5 percent respondents who apply multiple crop pattern in their farm land. 2. There are about 19 percent respondents who are landless and do not possess any land. There is no question of adopting any crop pattern. 3. Among the total respondents, there were about 81 percent respondents having agricultural land or farm holdings. Out of these, about 94 percent respondents had adopted single or double crop pattern whereas only 6 percent respondents took advantage of multiple crop pattern. 294 34) Classification of respondents according to the payment made against land revenue and other cess Table Number 8.45 Number of respondents according to the payment made against land revenue and other cess. Weather paid or not Number of Percentage Respondents Yes, paid 98 49 Not paid 64 32 Any other 38 19 Total 200 100 Observations and Findings : 1. Maximum i.e. about 49 percent respondents have paid the land revenue and other cess to the concerned authority of Government, whereas 32 percent respondents have not yet paid off land revenue and other land cess. 2. There are 19 percent respondents landless and hence, there is no question of paying any such taxes by them. 3. Out of total respondents eligible to pay land tax, about 60 percent of the respondents were actually paying the same and about 40 percent of the respondents have not been paying any land revenue and other cess. 295 35) Am o u n t of land revenue and other cess paid in the previous year Table Number 8.46 Number of respondents according to the land revenue and other cess paid in the previous year. Amount of Land Number of Percentage revenue paid Respondents (In Rs.) Less than Rs. 20 80 40 Rs. 21 to Rs. 40 12 Rs. 41 to Rs. 50 Not paid yet 64 32 Not applicable 38 19 Total 200 100 Observations and Findings : 1. Among the total respondents, 49 percent respondents have been paying land revenue and other cess to the Government. According to the classification of these respondents, 40 percent respondents have paid amount upto Rs.20. About 6 percent respondents have paid amount between Rs.21 to Rs.40. About 3 percent respondents have paid amount between Rs.41 to Rs.50. 2. There are 32 percent respondents who have yet to pay land revenue and other cess. 3. There are about 19 percent respondents who are landless and are not required to pay any land revenue. 296 36) Income sources other than farming Table Number 8.47 Number of respondents according to income source other than farming. Additional activities Number of Percentage Respondents Selling milk 76 38 Wages (other than EGS) 56 28 Some trading activity 16 Any other 52 26 Total 200 100 Observations and Findings : 1. Maximum i.e. about 38 percent respondents have received additional income other than farming by the way of selling milk. 2. There are 28 percent respondents who have obtained additional income through the other type of wages, basically labour work in farms. 3. There are 26 percent respondents who earned additional income from other sources i.e. like semi-skilled activities i.e. civil construction works; cooking and catering services; seasonal economic activities, etc. 4. Minimum i.e. about 8 percent respondents have received other income from some trading activities. 297 37) Consolidated income source from other activities than own farm ing Table Number 8.48 Number of respondents according to consolidated income source from other than farming activities Per month income Number of Percentage range (In Rs.) Respondents Upto Rs. 500 8 Rs. 501 to Rs. 1000 114 57 Rs. 1001 toRs. 1500 42 21 Rs. 1501 to Rs. 2000 20 10 Rs. 2001 to Rs. 2500 Rs. 2501 to Rs. 3000 10 Total 200 100 Observations and Findings : 1. There are the sources of income other than EGS work and own farming. Maximum i.e. about 57 percent respondents are obtaining Rs.501 to Rs.lOOO per month by way of other sources than own farming income. 2. There are about 21 percent respondents earning Rs.lOOl to Rs.l500 from other source than own farming. 3. About 10 percent respondents are earning Rs.l501 to Rs.2000 from the other sources, which followed by about 5 percent respondents who are earning Rs.2501 to Rs.3000 from the other sources. 298 4. About 4 percent respondents are earning upto Rs.500 from the other sources. This is followed by about 3 percent respondents who get Rs. 2001 to Rs. 2500 by way of other sources than their own farming. 5. Average mean of additional income of individual respondent is Rs.1080 per month. 38) Classification of respondents according to loan taken in the last five years Table Number 8.49 Number of respondents according to loan taken in the last five years Weather loan taken Number of Percentage Respondents Yes, loan taken 60 30 Not taken 140 70 Total 200 100 Observations and Findings: Out of the total respondents, 30 percent respondents have been taking loans for the fulfillment of their needs. The remaining 70 percent respondents have not taken any loan at all. It is possible that a substantial number of respondents may not be eligible to take a loan or may find if difficult for various reasons to get a loan. 299 39) Sources of loan taken Table Number 8.50 Number of respondents according to sources of loan taken. Sources of loan taken Number of Percentage Respondents From relatives / friends 20 33.33 From patsansthas 2 3.33 From co-operative banks 30 50.00 From Govt, agencies 6 10.00 From commercial banks 2 3.33 From any other sources Nil 0 Total 60 100 Diagram No. 8.12 Sources of Loan Taken 60 50 O) 40 (0 3 3 .3 c 0) 30 2 « 20 1 0 10 3 .3 3 3 .3 3 0 ■ From From pat From co From Govt. From relatives / sa n sth a operative agency commercial friends bank bank Sources of Loan 300 Observations and Findings: 1. According to survey analysis, out of total respondents, about 30 percent respondent have been taken loan from the various financial sources. 2. Maximum i.e. about 50 percent respondents have taken loans from co operative banks. 3. There are 33.33 percent respondents who have taken loans from relatives and friends. 4. About 10 percent respondents have take assistance from Government agencies of subsidized interest loan schemes likes loan for purchase of seeds and fertilizers. 5. Minimum i.e. about 3.33 percent respondents have taken loans from commercial banks and co-operative patsansthas each. 40) Construction undertaken of new house or expansion during the last five years Table Number 8.51 Number of respondents according to construction undertaken of new house or expansion during the last five years Wheather construction Number of Percentage undertaken Respondents Yes, construction undertaken 38 19 Not undertaken 162 81 Total 200 100 301 Observations and Findings : Out of total respondents, about 19 percent respondents have constructed new house or undertaken the work of expansion of their existing house in the last five years. About 81 percent respondents have not undertaken the task of construction of a new house or expansion work of their existing house. 41) Type of house construction undertaken in the last five years Table Number 8.52 Number of respondents according to type of house construction undertaken in the last five years Type of house Number of Percentage construction Respondents R.C.C. Slab Nil 0 Load bearing 10 26.32 T-angle roof 10 26.32 Mud built 18 47.36 Any other Nil 0 Total 38 100 Observations and Findings : 1. The survey analysis shows that, out of total respondents, about 19 percent respondents have constructed new house or made expansion to their existing house. 302 2. Maximum i.e. about 48 percent respondents of those who have constructed new house have houses, which are built in mud. It is followed by about 26 percent respondents who have constructed their house which has load-bearing structure and T-angle roof type each respectively. 3. None of the respondents have constructed their house in R.C.C. slab. 42) Type of savings of respondents Table Number 8.53 Classification of respondents according to type of savings Type of savings in Number of Percentage Respondents Post Office 18 9 Bhishi Group 52 26 Co-operative bank 28 14 Commercial bank 2 1 Any other 34 17 No savings 66 33 Total 200 100 303 Diagram No. 8.13 Classification according to type of savings 35 30 «D 25 O) 5 20 s o 15 0) “■ 10 I Post Office Bhishi Group Co-operative Commercial Any other No Savings bank bank Observations and Findings : 1. Maximum i.e. about 26 percent respondents have been saving with bhisi-groups whereas minimum i.e. about only about one percent respondents are saving with the commercial banks. 2. There are about 17 percent respondents saving in other than any bank organization or post office organizations. The other sources of saving include keeping money at home in cash form, purchase of ornaments and keeping small deposits with individual persons. 3. About 14 percent respondents prefer the co-operative banks and it is followed by about 9 percent respondents who prefer post office organizations for making their savings. 4. There are about 33 percent respondents who do not think about saving at all. This is mostly due to the low income level, as saving is a function of income. 304 43) Pattern of foodgrain produced Table Number 8.54 Number of respondents according to foodgrain produced on their land. Type of foodgrain Number of Percentage Produced Respondents Jawar 36 22.22 Bazara 80 49.38 Wheet 14 8.64 Rice 24 14.82 Pulses N il 0 Not cultivated at all 8 4.94 Total 162 100 Diagram No. 8.14 Pattern of Foodgrain Produced 60 49.38 50 0) S’ S 30 22.22 § 2 0 14.82 Q. 8.64 10 4.94 0 0 I Jaw ar Bazara Wheet Rice Pulses Not cultivated at all Type of Foodgrain 305 Observations and Findings : 1. Out of the total respondents, 162 respondents have agricultural land of their own and 38 respondents were landless. 2. Out of those having land, maximum i.e. about 49 percent respondents have grown Bazara crop on their farm. 3. There are 22 percent respondents who have given priority for producing Jawar crop. 4. There are about 15 percent respondents who prefer cultivating rice. All these farmers are belong to Akole tehsil where rice producing is one of the major crops grown. 5. Minimum i.e. about 9 percent respondents have given preference for producing wheat crop. 6. There are about 5 percent respondents who have barren land holding and hence they were unable to produce any type of crop. 7. None of the respondents have produced pulses. This may be due to drought situation in overall Ahmednagar district and particularly in the study area. 306 44) Consumer durable goods purchased in the last five years Table Number 8.55 Number of respondents according to consumer durable goods purchased in the last five years Type of goods Number of Percentage Respondents L.P. Gas Connection 4 2 M otorcycle 4 2 T.V. 56 28 Radio 26 13 Telephone 2 1 Fan 14 7 Grinding Machine 4 2 Any Other 20 10 No purchases 70 35 Total 200 100 Observations and Findings: 1. There were about 35 percent respondents who did not purchase any such goods or commodities. 2. Maximum i.e. about 28 percent respondents have brought television sets. Minimum i.e. about one percent respondents had purchased telephones in the last five years. 3. There are about 13 percent respondents who had purchased radio sets. 307 4. There are about 10 percent respondents who had purchased ‘other items’ like bicycle, tape recorder, CD players, etc. 5. About 7 percent respondents had purchased fans in the last five years. 6. There are about 2 percent respondents who had purchased L.P.Gas connections. Another about 2 percent respondents had purchased motorcycles and additional 2 percent respondents had purchased grinding machines. 7. A substantial percentage of respondents had purchased televisions and radios. Nowadays these are primarily commodities for entertainment. 45) Agricultural land purchased in the last five years Table Number 8.56 Agricultural land purchased in the last five years Whether Number of Percentage purchased Respondents Yes, purchased. 2 1 Not purchased. 198 99 Total 200 100 Observations and Findings : Out of total respondents, one percent respondents had purchased agricultural land in the last five years. This is obvious because of the low income levels, the respondents have been more concerned about their day to day living and in purchase of limited number of durable goods. Purchase of land requires substantial amount of investment and this is not possible for almost all the EGS labourers. 308 46) Agricultural land sold in the last five years Table Number 8.57 Classification of respondents according to agricultural land sold in the last five years Whether sold Number of Percentage Respondents Yes, Sold. 3.70 Not Sold. 156 96.30 Total 162 100 Observations and Findings : There are about 4 percent respondents, who had sold their agricultural land in the last five years. In our country, general mentality of farmers is that, though they may be in a financial difficulty, they never think about the sale of agricultural land. However, in exceptional and rare cases, farmers come to such decisions of sale of agricultural land. 309 47) Holder of ‘below poverty line’ card Table Number 8.58 Classincation of respondents according to Holder of ‘below poverty line’ card Whether holding BPL Card Number of Percentage or not Respondents Yes, holding BPL Card. 78 39 Not holding BPL Card. 122 61 Total 200 100 Observations and Findings : 1. Out of total respondents, there are 39 percent respondents who possess a card of below poverty line. According to existing Government norms, if the per capita income of a family is less than Rs.591 for a month, such family is known as a family which is under the below poverty line. 2. About 61 percent respondents do not possess the below poverty line card. Out of these, a few respondents may be actually under the below poverty line. However, these families are not aware of the existence of such card or have not bothered to apply for such card. 3. As a part of overall development of the country, the Government of India have accepted the path of planning since the independence. Central as well as State Government have launched number of 310 collective and individual beneficiary schemes and programmes for the upliftment of the below poverty line families. The Government always makes an attempt to provide top priorities to these families for getting assured employment and income by way of providing self and wage employment, by way of giving assured wage employment, subsidies, exemption in interest of their loans, subsidized interest loan, etc. 48) Newspaper reading habit of respondents Table Number 8.59 ClassiHcation of respondents according to newspaper reading habit Reading habit Number of Percentage Respondents Read daily 30 15 Read frequently 48 24 Read sometimes 52 26 Never read 70 35 Total 200 100 Observations and Findings : 1. Maximum i.e. about 35 percent respondents never read the newspapers, whereas minimum i.e. about 15 percent respondents are daily readers of newspapers. 311 2. There are 26 percent respondents who read newspapers sometimes, whereas there are 24 percent respondents who read newspapers frequently. 3. About 61 percent respondents never or hardly read newspapers. Due to this, the awareness level of various events is limited amongst the respondents. 49) Gender-wise classification of respondents according to newspaper reading habit Table Number 8.60 Gender-wise classification of respondents according to newspaper reading habit Reading habit Gender Number of Percentage Male % Female % Respondents Read daily 2893 2 7 30 15 Read sometimes 50 96 2 4 52 26 Read frequently 46 96 2 4 48 24 Never read 32 46 38 54 70 35 Total 156 44 200 100 Observations and Findings : 1. Out of total respondents who read daily, about 93 percent were male respondents and about 7 percent were female respondents. 312 2. Out of total respondents who read newspapers sometimes or occasionally, there are about 96 percent male respondents and about 4 percent female respondents. 3. Out of total respondents who read newspapers frequently, there are also about 96 percent male respondents and about 4 percent female respondents. 4. There are 46 percent male respondents and 54 percent female respondents, out of those who never read the newspapers. 5. Thus, the proportion of those who do not read at all is more in case of females whereas the proportion of those who read newspapers is more for males. This may be because of more illiteracy among the females. Also the females in addition to the EGS work, have to carry out their household work which takes substantial time. 313 50) Television watching habit of respondents Table Number 8.61 Number of respondents according to their Television watching habit Frequency of Number of Percentage TV watching Respondents Watch daily 32 16 Watch frequently 34 17 Watch sometimes 80 40 Never Watch 54 27 Total 200 100 Observations and Findings : 1. Maximum i.e. about 40 percent respondents watch television sometimes or occasionally whereas minimum i.e. about 16 percent respondents watch television programmes every day or daily. 2. There are about 17 percent respondents who frequently watch the television programmes. 3. There are about 27 percent respondents who never watch television programmes. 4. About 67 perdent respondents never or hardly watch television as it is still a luxury item specially in the rural areas. In most of the villages there is a common television. It may happens that due to the physical hard work by the respondents, they would be too tired at the end of the day to watch television. 314 51) Habit of listening to Radio programmes Table Number 8.62 Habit of listening to Radio programmes of respondents Frequency of Number of Percentage Listening to radio Respondents Listen daily 42 21 Listen frequently 66 33 Listen sometimes 50 25 Never Listen 42 21 Total 200 100 Observations and Findings: 1. Maximum i.e. about 33 percent respondents are frequent listeners of radio programmes, whereas minimum i.e. about 21 percent respondents listen to Radio programmes on a daily basis. 2. There are about 25 percent respondents who listen to radio programmes occasionally. 3. There are about 21 percent respondents who never listen to any radio programmes. 4. Frequency of listening to the radio is more than the frequency of watching television. This is because ownership of radio is easier than that of television. 315 52) Different addictions amongst the respondents Table Number 8.63 ClassiHcation of respondents according to different addiction Type of > ature of Addiction Total Percentage Great % Some % Never % Addiction Respondents Extent Extent B idi 14 77.77 4 22.22 N il 0 18 9 C ig arette 2 33.33 466.66 Nil 0 6 3 T o b acco 78 75.00 26 25.00 Nil 0 104 52 M iseri 18 9 0 .0 0 2 10.00 N il 0 20 10 A ny N il 0 4 100.00 Nil 0 4 2 O th er (A lco h o l) N o N il 0 N il 0 N .A . 100.00 48 24 ad d ictio n at all Total 112 40 48 200 100 Observations and Findings : 1. Out of total respondents, maximum i.e. about 52 percent respondents are addicted of tobacco and minimum i.e. about 2 percent respondents are addicted to liquor. 2. There are about 10 percent respondents addicted with the habit of miseri. It followed by about 9 percent respondents who are addicted with the habit of bidi smoking. This is followed by about 3 percent respondents who are addicted to cigarette smoking. 3. There are 24 percent respondents who do not have any type of habit or addiction. 316 4. Out of total respondents, who are habitual with chewing of tobacco, about 75 percent respondents are addicted to a great extent whereas about 25 percent respondents are addicted to some extent. 5. Out of total respondents, who make use of miseri as a addiction, about 90 percent respondents are addicted to a great extent, whereas about 10 percent respondents are addicted to some extent. 6. Out of total respondents, who are addicted to smoking of bidi, about 78 percent respondents are addicted to a great extent whereas about 22 percent respondents are addicted to some extent. 7. Out of total respondents, who are addicted with cigarette smoking, about 33 percent respondents are addicted to a great extent whereas about 67 percent respondents are addicted to some extent. Cigarettes as compared to bidis are more expensive and as such the level of addiction is less for cigarettes are compared to bidis. 8. Out of total respondents, who are addicted to alcohol, all the respondents are addicted to some extent only. Alcohol is more expensive than other addictions and this could be the reason why the addiction for it is to some extent only. 9. The intensity of addiction is maximum for chewing of tobacco, followed by use of miseri and smoking of bidi. Addiction of the cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking is very least. It may due to its expensive nature as compared to other addictions. 317 53) Frequency of attending EG S work Table Number 8.64 Number of respondents according to frequency of attending EG S work Frequency of utilizing Number of Percentage E G S work Respondents Utilized every year 100 50 Utilized mostly 48 24 Utilized sometimes 48 24 Utilized for first time 4 2 Total 200 100 Observations and Findings: 1. Out of total respondents, maximum i.e. about 50 percent respondents are utilizing and attending EGS works every year continuously. 2. There are about 24 percent respondents who tend to utilize the EGS works for most of the time. 3. There are about 24 percent respondents who are attending EGS works occasionally or have utilized EGS works to some extent. 4. There are about 2 percent respondents who were attending the EGS work for the first time. 5. Out of total respondents, about 74 percent respondents are regularly making use of EGS and benefiting from the scheme. 318 54) Helpfulness of EG S earnings in children’s education Table Number 8.65 Perception of respondents regarding whether EG S earning is helpful for children’s education Perception level Number of Percentage Respondents Very helpful 42 21 Helpful 88 44 Less helpful 20 10 Not at all 50 25 Total 200 100 Observations and Findings : 1. Out of total respondents, maximum i.e. about 44 percent respondents perception is that, EGS is helpful for children’s education to some extent. 2. According to about 21 percent respondents, EGS earning is very helpful to children education purpose. This is followed by about 10 percent respondents, who felt that the EGS earning is less helpful for the children’s education. 3. There are about 25 percent respondents according to whom EGS earning is not at all helpful for children’s education. 319 55) EG S potential to create productive assets in villages Table Number 8.66 Perception of respondents regarding whether EG S helps to create productive assets in villages Perception Number of Percentage Respondents Helps on very large scale 70 35 Substantially helps 40 20 Helps to some extent 52 26 Not at all helpful 4 2 D on’t know 34 17 Total 200 100 Diagram No. 8.15 Perception of whether EGS helps to create productive assets in villages 40 35 30 0) O) 25 2c 0) 20 u 0) 15 10 Helps on very Substantially Helps to some Not at all D o n ’t k n o w large scale help extent helpful 320 Observations and Findings : 1. Out of total respondents, maximum i.e. about 35 percent respondents perception is that EGS works helps to create productive assets in the rural areas i.e. in the villages. 2. About 26 percent respondents perception is that it helps only to some extent in creating productive assets in the villages. This is followed by about 20 percent respondents who’s perception is that it is substantially helpful in the creation of productive assets. 3. There are about 17 percent respondents who are not aware of whether EGS work is helpful in creation of productive assets in the villages or not. 4. Thus according to about 81 percent respondents, the EGS has been helpful in creating productive assets in the villages. 321 56) Misuse of EG S assets Table Number 8.67 Perception of respondents regarding whether EG S assets are misused. Perception level Number of Percentage Respondents Misused all the time Nil 0 Misused to a great extent Misused to some extent 22 11 Not at all misused 120 60 D on’t know 50 25 Total 200 100 Observations and Findings: 1. Out of total respondents, according to maximum i.e. about 60 percent respondents, there is no misuse of EGS created assets in the villages. 2. It is followed by about 11 percent respondents whose perception is that such created assets are misused to some extent. About 4 percent respondents perception is that such created assets are misused to a great extent. 3. There are about 25 percent respondents who were unaware of whether EGS assets are misused or not. 3 2 2 57) Utility of EG S programme for the benefit of the society Table Number 8.68 Perception of respondents regarding utility of EG S programme for the benefit of the society Perception level Number of Percentage Respondents Definitely, beneficial to a great extent 134 67 Beneficial to a reasonable extent 30 15 Beneficial to some extent 20 10 Not at all beneficial 0 0 D on’t know 16 8 Total 200 100 Observations and Findings: 1. Maximum i.e. about 67 percent respondents perception is that utility and usefulness of EGS programme is definitely beneficial to a great extent. 2. This is followed by about 15 percent respondents whose perception is that EGS programme is advantageous and beneficial to the reasonable extent to the society. 3. About 10 percent respondents perception is that EGS programme is effective and beneficial only to some extent to the society. 4. Minimum i.e. about 8 percent respondents do not have any type of perception in this regard. 3 2 3 5. There is scope for expanding the coverage, already done by the Central Government in 150 districts all over the country. These beneficiary districts were suggested by the planning commission of India according to need base. Coverage of more districts will be beneficial to the society. 58) EG S and gainful employment Table Number 8.69 Perception of respondents regarding whether EG S provides gainful employment Perception level Number of Percentage Respondents Definitely, provides to a great extent 160 80 Reasonable extent 16 8 Provides to some extent 12 6 D on’t know 12 6 Not at all Nil 0 Total 200 100 3 2 4 Diagram No. 8.16 Perception relating to whether EGS provides gainful employment Provides to som e D on’t know extent 6% 6% R ea so n a b le extent 8% Definitely, provides to a great extent 80% Observations and Findings : 1. Maximum i.e. about 80 percent respondents perception is that EGS definitely provides gainful employment to a great extent to the society. 2. This is followed by about 8 percent respondents whose perception is that EGS is providing gainful employment to a reasonable extent to the society. 3. About 6 percent respondents perception is that EGS is providing gainful employment to some extent only. 4. There are another about 6 percent respondents who do not have any perception in this regard. 5. EGS has thus proved to be an effective tool for reducing unemployment especially in the rural areas. 325 59) Satisfaction level regarding EG S programme Table Number 8.70 Perception level of respondents according to satisfaction level regarding EGS programme Perception level Number of Percentage Respondents Fully satisfied with EGS 26 13 Mostly satisfied with EGS 86 43 Satisfied with EGS 42 21 Less satisfied with EGS 32 16 Not satisfied with EGS Nil 0 D on’t know 14 7 Total 200 100 Diagram No. 8.17 Perception Level of Satisfaction 50 45 43 40 0) 35 o> 5 30 c 25 21 I 20 a 15 13 10 5 0 0 I Fully Mostly Satisfied Less Not D on’t satisfied satisfied with EGS satisfied satisfied know with EGS with EGS with EGS with EGS 326 Observations and Findings : 1. Maximum i.e. about 43 percent respondents perception is that, they are mostly satisfied with the EGS programme. This is followed by about 21 percent respondents who are reasonably satisfied with the EGS programme. About 16 percent respondents are less satisfied with the EGS programme. 2. Minimum i.e. about 13 percent respondents are fully satisfied with the EGS programme. 3. There are 7 percent respondents who do not have an opinion regarding the satisfaction level of the EGS programme. 4. Thus there are about 77 percent respondents who are satisfied with the EGS programme. 327 60) Overall opinion regarding EG S programme along with gender-wise classification Table Number 8.71 Number of respondents according to overall opinion regarding EG S programme along with gender-wise classification Perception Gender Total Percentage level Male % Female % Respondents E m p lo y m en t 74 67.27 36 32.72 110 55 g en eratio n (4 7 .5 0 % ) (8 1 .9 0 % ) attitu d e Survival in 46 88.46 6 11.53 52 26 drought period (2 9 .5 0 % ) (1 3 .6 0 % ) attitu d e Irrig atin g 32 94.11 2 5.88 34 17 n atu re (2 0 .5 0 % ) (4 .5 0 % ) D o n ’t know 4 100.00 N il (2.50% ) Total 156 44 200 100 (100%) (100%) Observations and Findings: 1. Out of total respondents, maximum i.e. 55 respondents have emphasized on the role of EGS as a source of employment opportunities. It is followed by about 26 percent respondents have underlined the EGS work as a survival means in the drought situation. This is followed by about 17 respondents were impressed by irrigating nature of EGS programme. Besides this, about 2 percent respondents were unable to state the role of EGS programme. 328 2. Out of total respondents, who have emphasized on employment generation opinion, out of them, about 67 percent were male respondents and about 33 percent are female respondents. 3. Out of total respondents, who have underlined the EGS work as a survival means in drought period, out of them, about 88 percent respondents were male respondents and about 12 percent are female respondents. 4. Out of total respondents, who impressed by irrigating nature of EGS, out of them, about 94 percent were male respondents and about 6 percent are female respondents. 5. Out of the total male respondents i.e. 156, out of them 74 i.e. 47.50 percent respondents appreciated the employment generation potential of the EGS. This is followed by 46 i.e. 29.50 percent respondents who appreciated the EGS as a means of survival in the drought period and 32 i.e. 20.50 percent respondents who liked the EGS for improving irrigation. 6. Out of the total female respondents i.e. 44, out of them 36 i.e. 81.90 percent respondents appreciated the employment generation potential of the EGS. This is followed by 6 i.e. 13.60 percent respondents who appreciated the EGS as a means of survival in the drought period and 2 i.e. 4.50 percent respondents who liked the EGS for improving irrigation. 7. Overall, the perception is clear that the EGS is more of an employment generation measure. 329 CHAPTER IX Conclusions and Recommendations 9.1 Conclusions 9.2 Recommendations 330 C H A P T E R IX CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 9.1 CONCLUSIONS Based on the study of functioning and administration of the EGS as well as on the survey taken and its analysis, the following conclusions have been drawn. 1. EG S provides additional employment. Employment generation is one of the core objectives of the EGS programme. EGS is introduced with an objective of extending ‘right to work on demand’ to whom it is needed. This scheme provides additional employment to the unskilled, unorganized and unemployed labourers in the state of Maharashtra, which includes illiterate, less literate and to some extent educated people in the rural areas. As an approximate estimate close to five lakh labourers have been securing fruitful wage benefits every year across the state of Maharashtra. Thus, the Employment Guarantee Scheme provides additional employment to whom it is needed. 2. Increasing trend in number of nuclear families. In the rural areas, the joint family structure is gradually decreasing and proportionately nuclear families has been increasing among the 331 respondents. It seems there is a change in the trend of family in the rural areas. This tendency towards nuclear family units has developed due to self- respect attitude, self-reliant nature, individualistic style, wide difference in opinion among the joint family members and being free from the influence of elder family members of the joint family. 3. Income levels of labourers are low. Most of the EGS labourers are illiterate or less literate and simultaneously the number of members is also more in the family of labourers. This has resulted into lower per capita income of these families. 4. Emerging educational awareness has a positive impact on the family planning. According to survey analysis, total number of family members and their education levels, it is observed that, about 81 percent respondents had completed their education upto the standard, whereas only about 33 percent respondents have more than six children. Hence, one can conclude that, there has been a positive emerging impact of education on the labourer’s family size and simultaneously family welfare programme in general. 332 5. Less importance is given towards compliance of incomplete road works. Road connectivity is one of the more significant achievements of EGS work programme. However, in the previous decade and particularly after the period of 1995, due to changes in the priorities of the EGS works, rural road works and road construction projects got least priority and even incomplete road works have not been completed in these years. The work becomes unproductive and it leads to hampered rural road transportation and communication. 6. Substantial number of respondents have a need of EG S work on a perennial basis. The survey analysis shows that, as an approximate, half of the respondents needed the EGS work for seasonal basis and half of the respondents have a need of the EGS work throughout the year i.e. perennial basis. 7. Labour attendance is compulsory on EG S work. The survey analysis reveals that, labour attendance is a compulsory activity on the EGS work site. A separate labour attendance muster is maintained for each worksite by the implementing agency. The implementing agency man i.e. mustering assistant or supervisor is the responsible authority for maintaining the labour attendance muster. He is accountable for making the record of labourers attendance on a regular and daily basis. 333 8. EG S work is not available in a stipulated time. According to the provision of the EGS Act, work should be made available within 15 days after the workers registration for getting the work. However, as per the survey in most cases, the work is not made available within a period of 15 days after the labourers registration for getting the work. 9. Unemployment allowance not received by any employment seeker. According to the directive principle of the EGS Act, if Government fails to provide work within 15 days from the date of registration, it is bound to provide unemployment allowance to the employment seeker at the rate of Rs.lO per day. However, as per the survey, no person has received such unemployment allowance during the study period i.e. for the period 1990 - 1991 to 1999 - 2000. This is even though there has been frequent delay of more than 15 days for providing work by the implementing agencies. 10. Majority of the respondents have yet to receive identity card cum wage book. According to the survey analysis, only about 40 percent respondents have received the identity card cum wage book. This may have occurred due to several reasons like, frequent arrival of new intake of labourer force, unsystematic approach towards this task, less priority given for this task, lack of co-ordination between administrative and agencies implementing, inefficient distribution channel, red tapism, etc. 3 3 4 11. Lack of training programme affects productivity. In the period of inception of EGS programme, i.e. in the decade of 1980, the labour unions, voluntary organizations, social activists played dominant and vital role in arranging seminars, workshops, awareness campaigns and training programmes for the beneficiaries of the scheme. The Government of Maharashtra was also supporting these activities. However, after the decade of 1980, and particularly after 1990, these activities were minimized at all levels. This has lead to lack of training programme activities and it has resulted into low productivity of work. 12. The basic facilities and amenities are mostly made available at the worksite. The survey analysis reveals that, the basic facilities like drinking water, shelter for rest at the time of interval, first-aid box, creches and midwife, ex-gratia payment, maternity benefits to women labourers are mostly made available to the beneficiaries at the worksite. 13. Lack of awareness of ex-gratia payment amenity among the women labourers. According to the provision of the EGS Act, provision of ex-gratia payment is made available to the beneficiaries of the scheme. The compensation amount depends upon the nature of disability. In case of hundred percent disability to the labourer Rs.50,000/- is given as ex- gratia payment. However, most of the female labourers are unaware about this amenity. 335 14. Proportion of loan taken by labourers is relatively low. The general perception is that probably the majority of the rural people take loans. But the fact is that, only big and medium farmers are able to provide required security and obtain loans from the organized sector. Although, loans are also available from unorganized sector like indigenous bankers and moneylenders, labourers and wage earners are neither able to provide security nor eager to obtain loans. 15. Labourers are unable to undertake their house construction. The survey analysis shows that, due to low income group levels, only a small percentage of respondents i.e. 19 percent respondents have been able to undertake the construction of new house or expansion of existing house. 16. EG S works creates productive assets. According to the survey, most of the respondents felt that EGS work is helpful in creating productive assets in the villages. 17. EG S is multipurpose scheme for the rural people / society. The survey analysis shows that most of the respondents felt that EGS is a well designed and fruitful scheme for the villagers. The scheme makes a mark with a dent on several problems by way of its effectiveness. 336 EGS is helpful in employment generation in rural areas. Due to work done through the scheme, water level has been increasing the wells. The scheme is also helping the people to survive in drought conditions. 18. EG S provides direct economic benefits. EGS provides extra income and increases the purchasing power of the labourers. EGS makes provision of yearly additional income to the labourers. EGS, which is a wage employment programme, is providing direct economic benefits to the beneficiary class. 19. EG S has generated public assets. The twin objectives of EGS are alleviation of poverty by providing employment and promoting rural development by creating productive infrastructure. The main focus of the development of the development is on the village community and not household or individuals. Regarding the matter of rural infrastructural development and creation of productive public assets, the EGS has generated an impressive number of assets from its inception. EGS had carried out thousands of work projects in the state like minor irrigation tanks, percolation tanks, village tanks, rural roads, soil conservation and land development works, watershed development projects, forest ponds, afforstation, individual beneficiary works like jawahar wells, horticulture, sericulture and tuti plantation, etc. Thus, various types of public assets created under EGS have led to positive development of the rural economy. 3 3 7 20. EG S is a well planned wage employment programme. The fundamental idea of the EGS programme is to utilize the surplus idle manpower for the creation of physical assets and capital formation in the rural areas. All the persons currently engaged in agriculture are not needed to maintain the current level of production. However, all of them are consuming. Hence, consumption remaining the same, the unwanted labourers can be withdrawn from agriculture and used for capital formation. In comparison to other wage employment programmes like National Rural Employment Programme (NREP), Rural Landless Employment Guarantee Programme (RLEGP), EGS programme is more successful in the areas of functioning, implementation and controlling. None of the other programmes has sustained large scale operations for a lengthy period as effective as EGS. EGS has proved to be a time tested well planned wage employment programme in the state of Maharashtra. 21. EG S constitutes one of the most important Poverty Alleviation Programme (PAP). EGS programme constitutes the most important ‘Poverty Alleviation Programme’ (PAP) in progress in Maharashtra. This scheme is in existence for more than three decades and therefore one can say that it is a time-tested scheme. In the recent days, the Government of India has also started National Food for Work Programme (NFFWP) on the lines of Maharashtra’s Employment Guarantee Scheme. 338 22. EG S minimizes migration of labourers. The EGS has provided direct economic benefit in terms of rupees as well as food security to the labourers. It means that it has made a considerable impact on poverty. Simultaneously, urban middle class and the rich pay professional tax on employment, which is utilized for the EGS and this helps in making available rural employment to the villagers at the village level and thus helping a certain number of families from migrating towards the urban areas. 23. Management Information System (M IS) is still traditional. The EGS programme is administered by the state Government. The Government has to monitor the EGS at State, Divisional and District level respectively. The expenditure on this programme is progressively rising since its inception and simultaneously information on the scheme will be a benchmark data for further evolution studies. Therefore, the Government introduced Management Information System (MIS) at various levels from February 1976. The implementing agencies have to submit fortnighdy, monthly and quarterly progress reports regularly and timely to the Government. However, the means of communication are still usual and traditional. EGS machinery is not even using modem communication like Fax, Internet on a large scale although it is possible and necessary. Also the Government has been unable to open up EGS website till now. 339 24. Lack of co-ordination between the revenue machinery and implementing agencies. There is an elaborated organizational set-up for the EGS. Initial planning work i.e. planning at district level is prepared by revenue department while implementation of the scheme is carried out by various technical agencies i.e. specialized Government departments and Zilla Parishad as local body. However, there are total fourteen Government departments involved in the EGS. All these departments are mainly classified under implementing agencies and revenue machinery. Implementing agencies are aware about the feasibility of the projects (i.e. technical sanctions) and revenue machinery look after about the financial matters and overall administration (i.e. administrative sanctions). Sometimes, these two segments are in conflict in their approach, which leads to non cooperation amongst them. 25. Virtual absence of people participation at the stage of planning. Planning process begins at the tehsil level. As a process of planning, blueprint is prepared at tehsil level. ‘Blueprint’ is a document containing plans to be executed under the EGS. Tehsildar is responsible for drawing up a blueprint for his tehsil area. Then the suggestions for the various projects are given by politicians and local leaders and activists in the tehsil level EGS committee. After that, the blueprint proceeds for technical and financial sanctions. 340 The shortcoming arises because actual people participation and their village level need base requirements are not considered in the blueprint document. In fact, neither EGS planning starts at village level nor the villagers are properly included in a planning process as a part of ‘Core planning’ or ‘Micro level planning’. 26. Road connectivity is one of the most signiflcant achievement of the E G S . In order to achieve rural infrastructural need of transportation and communication in the state, in the decades of 1980’s and 1990’s, rural road works were taken up as priority basis under the EGS in the entire state. As a result of this, in rural Maharashtra number of roads were constructed as well as renovated under the scheme programme. Due to this most of the villages were connected by way of roads. According to the survey of S. Mahendra Deo, construction of roads have assumed a large share of assets, raising from about six percent of total assets in 1974-1975 to about forty percent in 1985-1986. As a result of this, most of the rural road network has been setup through the EGS in the state of Maharashtra. 27. Strong tax base is available to the EG S The scheme is hundred percent sponsored by the Government of Maharashtra. In order to raise resources for the scheme, the Government has levied a series of special taxes on certain areas likes trade, callings, 341 professions, sales, etc. In addition to this, state Government contributes in an equal measure. The net collection of taxes and levies and matching contribution from the state Government are credited to a separate fund called the ‘Employment Guarantee Fund’. This EGS fund is to be spent strictly only on EGS programme. If there is any balance from one particular year, the same is carried forward to the subsequent year. Thus a strong tax base is available to the EGS. 28. Procedure for employment seeking is a complex one. According to the provision of the EGS Act, only registered workers can obtain the work. However, at the initial stage of the procedure, the employment seeker has to register his name in prescribed form no.l, which is provided, by registering authority. After submitting the application for registering name, the registering authority issues acknowledgement in prescribed form no.5 and enrolls his name in the employment seekers register in the format no.6. The next step of procuring the EGS work is to demand for work towards the registering authority in form no.4 along with an undertaking about being ready for continuous work of 30 days. Thereafter, the application of employment seekers is sent to the tehsildar, which are acknowledged in form no.4 by the employment seekers. Tehsildar verifies the application and has to provide work under the scheme within 15 days after the receipt of application in form no.4. In this way, employment seekers have to fill up various prescribed forms to obtain employment under the scheme. In this way, the procedure of getting work is time consuming as well as complex. 3 4 2 29. Conclusions regarding hypotheses. 1. Hypothesis No. 1 - ‘The present Employment Guarantee Scheme has been useful to the State of Maharashtra particularly in providing employment but it has certain major loop-holes in its implementation’. In the period of consideration i.e. 1990 - 1991 to 1999 - 2000, EGS has fruitfully provided 17.51 lakhs employment under the scheme. Further it is found that certain loopholes are there in the present EGS, which are dealt in Chapter VI‘^ as part of the problems in the working of EGS. Hence, this hypothesis is proved as true. 2. Hypothesis No. 2 - ‘There are lot of malpractices in the Employment Guarantee Scheme which have reduced its effectiveness’. Since the inception of the scheme, there have been a number of malpractice cases detected by the government machinery, as well as, non government organizations. Although, in certain cases malpractices have been detected, the type and style of malpractices have change and leakages under the EGS continue to occur during the period under study. However, due to more awareness amongst the stakeholders and experience amongst the government officials, the intensity of these malpractices has reduced. Hence, this hypothesis is partly proved to be true. 3. Hypothesis No. 3 - ‘There is a scope for its improvement so that it will be more effective, cost-wise and beneficial to the society’. To some extent every government flinded social scheme is blamed for misuse of public flinds. EGS is also one such social scheme being 342 (a) implemented by the state government. However, EGS has ample scope for making it more effective, cost-wise and beneficial to the society. In the thesis, many measures to improve the working of the EGS at the planning level, administrative level, implementing agency level and beneficiary level have been suggested. Thus, this hypothesis is accepted. 4. Hypothesis No. 4 - ‘The Employment Guarantee Scheme has helped in the reduction of rural poverty’. Analysis of the respondents and specially Table number 8.49, 8.55 and 8.65 show that EGS progress has been useftil and helpHil in the reduction of rural poverty. It is providing direct economic benefits to the rural labourers. Although, the EGS income may not have been sufficient to bring the respondents above the poverty line, but it has definitely helped to reduce the intensity of poverty. Thus, this hypothesis is proved to be true, 5, Hypothesis No, 5 - ‘The Employment Guarantee Scheme has helped in the creation of rural infrastructure’. The EGS has generated an impressive number of productive public assets since its inception. EGS has carried out many work projects in the state like Minor irrigation tanks, Perculation tanks. Village tanks, Rural roads. Soil conservation works. Water shed development projects. Afforestation, Forest ponds as well as individual beneficiary projects like Jawahar wells. Horticulture, Plantation of tuti and sericulture, etc. have been carried out. This has led to positive development of rural infrastructure. Hence, this hypothesis is also proved to be true. 3 4 2 (b ) 9.2 RECOMMENDATIONS The Maharashtra Employment Guarantee Scheme (EGS) has been in existence for more than three decades. It was initiated as a drought relief programme, but at a later stage, this programme was shaped as Poverty Alleviation Programme. EGS is probably the most meaningful example of direct public effort for reducing absolute poverty in rural Maharashtra. Urban based finance and overall broad support have contributed to the sustainability of the scheme. The EGS is one of the state’s most discussed and well known programme. Based on the study and the survey of the EGS, following are the recommendations made for improving its effectiveness and utility. Although the survey was limited in scope, the recommendations made are valid for the complete EGS works in the state of Maharashtra. These are as follows : A) Recommendations at Planning Level B) Recommendations at Administration Level C) Recommendations at Implementing Agency Level D) Recommendations at Beneficiary Level 343 A) Recom m endations at Planning Level 1. To make procedure simple for seeking employment as well as for getting unemployment allowance under the EGS. Existing recruitment of labourers and delivery of employment procedure is very lengthy and complicated one. Despite the guarantee, employment seekers have to fill in many prescribed forms under the scheme which are difficult to understand for the labourers. Due to this complicated and lengthy procedure, employment seekers become disturbed and many times give up attempting the completion of procedure. Normally, most of the employment seekers are illiterate and hence, they are not a position to easily complete the procedure of registration for getting the work. The ultimate effect of this situation leads to unavailability of employment in stipulated time as well as unavailability of unemployment allowance to the labourers who are willing to work. Hence, the procedure of getting the work should be simplified. 2. To increase the rate of Unemployment Allowance. According to one vital provision of the EGS Act, if the Government fails to provide employment within 15 days to the labourer, the Government is bound to provide unemployment allowance at the rate of Rs.lO per day. But in practice, none of the labourers is attracted to this provision due to the small amount of rate of unemployment allowance. However, if this rate is increased upto the 50 percent of minimum agricultural wage rate, it can become one important cause to the labourers for getting registered towards EGS and also attract them towards the EGS work. 344 3. To make strategic planning for E G S projects. The EGS is being implemented in Maharashtra State for more than three decades. The scheme was adopted as a solution to overcome drought in the state in the period of 1972 - 1973 and 1973 - 1974 as a policy to generate productive employment in the rural areas of the state. For the purpose of execution of the scheme, annual plan is prepared by the District Planning Committee for the period from 1*' October to 30*'' September of next year. However, after the annual plan is prepared, technical approvals and administrative sanctions are to be obtained from higher authorities and this technicalities takes time and it leads to delay in finalizing the annual plan. If, as a part of strategic planning, master plan or master blueprint is prepared for five years and kept ready, it will be helpful in choosing the more feasible as well as need based projects and also it will avoid delay in execution of EGS projects. 4. To prepare master plan of water shed projects at the state level. Now a days, watershed development projects have become a milestone in the field of EGS. After 2001 onwards, top priority is being given by the Government to the watershed projects under the EGS programme. According to the EGS Reformation Committee’s report, there are approximately total 44,000 watershed worksites in the State of Maharashtra. Out of these, 8,000 work projects are completed and 18,000 work projects are in progress, under the agriculture agency implementation. It means, there are still 18,000 watershed worksites listed by the Government but not actually surveyed. If the Government 345 activates the survey department under the EGS, it will be helpful to prepare master plan of watershed projects at the state level. 5. To make arrangement of E G S projects on a balanced basis. Most of the EGS projects are divided into two segments i.e. irrigation based projects and infrastructural based projects. EGS has proved its pro- vital role in pertaining to irrigation development and infrastructural development in the state of Maharashtra. However, it seems that these two segments development are not balanced through the EGS due to unsystematic encroachment of one segment to another. It leads to onesided growth and also leads to incompletion of EGS work projects. Therefore, the arrangement of total EGS work projects may be reshaped as agricultural development based EGS projects and infrastructural developmental based EGS projects, so that the balance development can be achieved through the EGS. 6. To shap the nature of EG S from relief programme to a more productive programme. The collectorate prepares year-wise annual plan for the period from T ‘ October to September of next year for implementing the work projects. Drought or natural calamities is a recurring phenomenon, but not permanent in nature. In a drought situation. Government has to pay attention to the generation of maximum employment as a relief attitude. But if the EGS is dislinked from relief works and if it is reformed as 346 more productive in nature, it can lead to achieving more appreciable works under the EGS programme. 7. Contractors / machinery work should be restricted for the skilled portion work only. EGS programme is initiated into a drought relief programme, but in the decades of 1990’s and 2000’s, it took place as a poverty alleviation programme. Although, there are certain loopholes in the scheme, the critics also accept that the scheme has become successful in reducing poverty to a certain extent in rural Maharashtra. But, from the last five to six years period, machinery work portion has unexpectedly increased. Even the EGS reformation committee report of March 2005 has advocated in favour of major role of machine work as well as participation of contractors as an alternative for muster roll procedure. However, unorganized labourers are the standpoint of the scheme and being a motto of poverty alleviation through the scheme, it is necessary to maintain the legal right of ‘right to work’ as well as assured unemployment allowance for labourers. Use of additional machinery portion automatically reduces the opportunities of labourers. Hence additional machinery role should be restricted upto the skilled portion extent only and labour intensive use should be made. 347 8. To built the rural roads with bituminous bound macadam - single coat surface dressing under the EGS. EGS programme attempts to link the unconnected villages through the rural road construction works. Road connectivity in terms of all weather roads are accepted under the EGS programme. But, most of the village roads and interior village approach roads are not all season roads. In fact, road constructed under EGS are stonework primary roads which are rough surfaced and which have frequent need of maintenance. There is no provision of bituminous bound macadam under the EGS programme. The surface dressing road by way of a bituminous bound macadam work is expensive due to its mechanized nature. However, if only single coat surface dressing road work is made out by use of bituminous bound macadam under EGS, it can be carried out in low budget and at the same time these roads will be made out of hard surface, tough and long-lasting. Ultimately, it will help to achieve the smooth and quick communication and transportation in the rural areas. 9. To make estimation of labour pool at village level as a part of disaster management. A permanent pool of labourers could be maintained by the EGS authorities at the district or tehsil level. The demand for the work on any public works project could be met from this pool. Private farmers could also draw upon this pool as long as they meet the stipulated requirements of wage payment and working conditions. This labour pool would reduce the uncertainty which is sometimes faced by labourers due to sudden work closures. 348 10. To target the below poverty line farmers through the individual beneficiary projects under the EGS. The state Government launched some new programmes as individual beneficiary projects under the EGS after the 1990s. These projects include, Horticulture Programme (1990), Jawahar Wells (1988 - but it scope has been widened from 1991), Plantation on private barren land (1992), Plantation of Tuti Tree and Sericulture (1993) on a pilot basis. All these programmes are executed as sub-schemes of EGS programme and implemented on the private farms. Out of these programmes, horticulture programmes has given visible results in the last ten years, viz. near about 11 lakh hectors agricultural land has been cultivated after the 1990s under the EGS. In all these programmes and particularly in horticultural progamme, priority on paper has been given to the marginal farmers, small farmers and scheduled caste and scheduled tribe farmers but not actually focused and targeted to them. If it is actually done, the below poverty line farmers among these classes can be directly benefited through the EGS programme. 11. To establish multi-training school for rural educated youth under the EGS. As a result of mass education approach adopted by Government, the education level has increased in the state from the last two-three decades. On the other hand, as a result of globalization policy adopted by the Government of India, job opportunities have reduced on a large scale. The ultimate effect of this events has resulted in educated manpower unwillingly pushed into EGS works in rural areas. Not only the graduates 349 but also the postgraduate manpower have taken shelter of the scheme for surviving. On this standpoint, it is necessary to bring out motivational activity of employment and career planning for the educated rural youth. EGS can put a way by establishing multi-purpose innovative school or workshop of agro-based, processing, manufacturing, marketing or service-oriented activities under the same roof to be initiated under the EGS. Rural artisans with their traditional crafts can also be made to participate in this programme. In addition to this. Government departments likes sericulture, horticulture, social forestry, khadi and gramodyog, co operative institutes and District Industry Center (DIG) can also provide guidance for entrepreneurial development. This establishment can also setup agro-based laboratory cum guidance center to the farmers and villagers. This establishment can became a comprehensive center for the village. The Government can establish this innovative school or workshop on a pilot basis in a few districts of the state. 12. To initiate housing shelter programme under the EGS. The Government should initiate housing facility to the poor people in rural areas under the EGS programme. EGS should make available housing accommodation to the families who are homeless. This house construction project should be carried out as economical, suitable and durable in nature as is possible. The beneficiaries of this facility should be chosen from the families who live under the below poverty line (BPL families), landless labourers families, marginal farmers and downtrodden communities who are away 3 5 0 from fulfilling their basic needs. For this purpose, the Government can provide land for construction at the village level. This can help to keep migration at minimum level of villagers towards the urban areas at the minimum level. 13. To complete the incomplete E G S works on a priority basis. There are about 25,000 work projects partially completed and about Rs.1500 crore of EGS funds are blocked up in this unfinished works. Normally, in a non-agricultural season and drought situation, EGS work demand increases every year. In the peak agricultural season, and in the monsoon season, EGS work demand quickly declines and gradually ongoing works are withheld. In this situations and circumstances, utilized funds becomes ineffective and unproductive. Simultaneously, concerned beneficiaries remain far away from getting benefits year after year and in addition to that, project cost also increases in the future. Hence, Government should provide topmost priority for completion of incomplete EGS work projects. 14. To give priority to the completion of incomplete roadwork. Rural road connectivity is being achieved through the EGS road works. However, there are number of villages and small villages which are not still connected to mainstream of roads. Also the total number of uncompleted road works is not negligible in the State of Maharashtra. This incomplete road works can be undertaken under the EGS works on a priority basis so as to improve the rural infrastructure. 351 15. To make provision of funds for repairs and maintenance of the produced assets. According to a Government order, passed in November, 2003 works of repairs of percolation tanks and village tanks are covered under EGS with regular EGS works. It means that, special provision of funds for repairs and maintenance is not made out. In fact, most of the minor irrigation projects likes percolation tanks, village tanks, nalla-bunding works, rural roads, etc. particularly in western Maharashtra were carried out in the drought period of 1972 - 1973 and 1973 - 1974. After a period of three decades, some of the projects need repairs. Hence, it is necessary to make out proper and adequate funds provision for its maintenance. It is also necessary to carry out inspection of overall projects, so that all produced assets can be repaired, if required and their utility can be developed and made more effective. 16. To give priority to villages who have not benefited from the scheme. EGS programme is in existence in the state for more than three decades. In this period, about 61,000 minor irrigation projects were completed; about 51,000 rural road works were completed. Horticulture area covered increased from about 1,20,000 lakh hectors to about 11,00,000 lakh hectors. In addition to this, thousands of allied work projects were taken up like, plantation and afforstation, forest work, social forestry, soil conservation and water conservation projects. In the recent years, around Rs. 1000 to Rs.1200 crores are being utilized on the EGS programme. 3 5 2 However, the Government has not achieved balanced regional development through the EGS. A number of villages and interior areas of the state have been excluded from the development through the EGS. The Government should give priority to the non-benefited villages so that most of the villages can be covered under the net of EGS in the entire state. 17. To take proper care while preparing rules and regulations for the scheme. Planning of the scheme is prepared by the Planning Department of Government of Maharashtra, after considering the several information, statistics and also attitude of various segments of economy. The Government of Maharashtra makes necessary rules and regulations for the implementation of the EGS in its own manner. Such rules and regulations become the case laws for the future decisions. Most of the time the planning takes place in a haphazard manner and it becomes critical and rigid. This leads to rigidity in the planning process. Therefore, proper care should be taken while preparing rules and regulations. 18. To release the E G S funds on half yearly basis. On behalf of State Government, the Planning Department releases EGS funds to the implementing agencies on a quarterly basis. Due to this, there is a shortage of funds in the last month of the quarter i.e. the problem of shortage of funds occurs four times in a year. This results into 353 lack of availability of funds for labourers wage payment. But if the funds are released on half yearly basis, then the shortage of funds would be reduced to only two times in the year. Due to this, the occasions of delay in wage payment may be reduced to a certain extent. B) Recommendations at Administration Level 1. To maintain E G S fund account independently at the state level. EGS is a unique programme of state Government which has a strong tax base. From the statutory status awarded to the EGS programme in 1977, the ‘EGS fund account’ has maintained a surplus balance every year till today. At the end of financial year 1995 - 1996, the EGS fund account had a balance of Rs.l739 crores in the bank account of Reserve Bank of India in the name of Government of Maharashtra. However, in the same year, Maharashtra Government has hypothecated this fund as a security for acquiring overdraft facility from the Government of India in the financial crisis period of the state Government. Also the Government of Maharashtra has stopped making matching contribution to the EGS fund from 1999 - 2000 onwards. As a result of this social activist and economist Prof. H.M. Desarda has filed a Writ Petition in the year 2002 at the High Court in the interest of public to compel the state Government to make arrangement of matching contribution which is a part and partial of EGS Act provision. In this background, it is necessary that the state Government should maintain independent and autonomous EGS fund account, which will 354 help to maintain transparency and ensure that the fund will be utilized exclusively for EGS programme. 2. The sequence of the technical sanction and administrative approval should be changed. According to the existing EGS norms, projected work sanctioning procedure is that the technical sanction of the EGS work is to be obtained in an initial stage and thereafter go for the administrative approval. However, this existing work sanctioning procedure is not satisfactory. In any project work formulation, its feasibility and technicalities have to obtain prime importance. This aspect is examined by technical experts for such sanction, whereas, administrative approval criteria is influenced by political pressures. In some cases, technically feasible projects are refused on political grounds. Moreover, in all other Government schemes and programmes, technical sanction is to be acquired at the final stage. Similarly, the technical sanction for EGS work should be at the final stage. 3. To implement the provision of public reading of muster roll-call. According to the EGS norms supported by Government Resolution (No. GR/PD/EGS-1082 dated 3/9/1982), public reading of muster roll-call is compulsory. However, in fact, none of the agency implementing ensures that this is carried out regularly. In this context, recently in August 2005, Smt. Manisha Varma, Collector of Solapur District gave a directive for public reading of muster roll call 355 on the eve of major corruption of crores of rupees uncovered in relation to bogus documentation in muster roll-call. It is very important and necessary that the implementation of this provision of public reading of muster roll-call is carried out in all EGS works. 4. To adopt coding or numbering arrangement for muster roll. EGS work is invariably executed through agencies implementing by engaging labourers on muster rolls. The labourers are however, not paid wages according to their attendance on the work, but are paid according to the work done. Recently, a new trend has developed of doing EGS works through the labour contractors or sub contractor in lieu of direct labour assignment. Though it is illegal, it is a developing practice to some extent. For the arrangement of this practice, implementing agencies and labour contractors manage two musters i.e. one authentic and another duplicate. It is necessary to stop this practice. There are a few alternatives for making preventive measures such as page numbering of the muster roll; muster rolls can be in stitched form, embossing on every page, coding the muster roll etc. This will ensure the proper utilization of the muster roll. 356 5. To establish independent establishment for the E G S programme. EGS has an independent ministry but does not have an independent establishment pertaining to the EGS programme. The functioning of the EGS is activated through the planning department at the state level. At the district level, Collector of the district is overall in-charge and totally responsible for the scheme. But in reality, Collector has a number of responsibilities at the district level. Due to this, the Collector has certain limitations for administrating the EGS programme. Secondly, EGS is implemented through the various types of Government departments. Simultaneously, there are totally fourteen Government machineries involved in EGS programmes. On the other hand, EGS is one of the core activity of the state Government which is working for rural and social infrastructure. Therefore, it is necessary that an independent establishment be formed for the EGS programme and its implementation. 6. To fulflll single road connectivity for every village at district level. EGS program has achieved rural road connectivity in rural Maharashtra to some extent. However, there are number of small villages which are awaiting for approach roads as well as all weather roads. Secondly, there is a vast interior part in the state of Maharashtra, which is far away from the road transporting and communicating facilities particularly in the backward and tribal areas in the state. Rural road connectivity is a prime condition of rural infrastructural development. Hence, it is necessary to make out a ‘district road map’ for 357 acquiring ‘entire road net’ to strengthen the rural infrastructure at the district level. 7. To reinstate unskilled to skilled ratio for road work as per the previous ratio i.e. 60:40 As per revised EGS norms, the ratio of unskilled to skilled for road works has been fixed as 51:49. It means that, instead of 60 percent only about 51 percent of EGS fund shall be spent on labour wages. It also means that, 9 percent wage overhead is retrenched and it is shifted to machine work. Works likes roads can easily be possible through the manual way, which will ensure that the labourers wage opportunity may not be lost. Hence, ratio for roadwork should be re-insisted as 60:40. 8. To reinstate the abolished administrative posts. The Government of Maharashtra has abolished several departments and number of posts from various departments as a part of strategic planning of the Government. As a part of this, the office of Deputy Collector, EGS wing, a few posts likes Tehsildar, Senior Auditor, Senior Clerk, etc. have also been abolished. This has resulted into reduced effectiveness of overall EGS performance. Hence, the abolished administrative posts should be reinstated. 358 9. To reinstate the post of Additional Collector (EGS) in selected districts. The District Collector is the overall in-charge for the implementation of the scheme. However, in fact, the Collector carries out number of responsibilities and variety of activities. The State Government had created special posts of Additional Collectors (IAS rank) for the EGS wing in certain districts where it is necessary. But in 1991, the State Government has abolished these posts. There is a need for creation of such posts in specific districts like Ahmednagar, Solapur where Government spends maximum EGS funds, in order to ensure that the EGS works are properly implemented. 10. Need to handover completed E G S works to the local authorities in time. Once the public asset is produced through the EGS, it is handed over to the Zilla Parishad for further ownership and maintenance and overall management of the project. But in fact, due to lack of administrative co ordination, too much delay occurs in handing over the completed projects. It leads to delay in maintenance of these projects. Therefore the Government should make proper arrangement to overcome this lacuna. 11. To provide adequate technical staff for preparing project estimates. The Government has directed that incompleted EGS works of more than 5 to 10 years be completed on a priority basis. But, the office of the 359 Deputy Collector, EGS, has an inadequate staff due to zero budget planning policy started from 1980 by the state Government. It has resulted into abolishment of several existing posts, particularly technical posts like, tracer, draftsman, surveyor, engineers, senior clerk, etc. It leads to work of revised estimates as well as work of new estimates being hampered. Hence, the Government should reinstate adequate technical staff. 12. To reopen the survey sub-division at district level. In the present situation, the scheme faces one important problem, which is of running out of suitable projects. Majority of feasible work sites are already completed under the scheme. However, the Government of Maharashtra abolished the survey department in 1990 and hence, new and suitable work projects are not being planned with the urgency required. Planning of feasible worksites would require the functioning of the survey department at each district level. 13. To disburse compensation payment to the land owners promptly and punctually. The Government acquires agricultural land of the farmers for the implementation of EGS projects whenever it is required. However, the payment of such land is not given to the land-owners year after year. Consequently, the concerned land-owners prevent the ongoing EGS works through the way of court. It leads to discontinuation of the EGS work projects for a uncertain duration. Hence, for avoiding such 360 dilemma, compensation payment should be made out in due course to the land-owners. 14. To provide identity card cum wage book to all labourers. This is vital document provided by the Government machinery to the EGS labourers at the cost of Government. The facility for making photograph is also provided by the Government free of cost. The validity period of this identity card cum wage book is for five years. It is expected that, the labourers as an identity as well as permanent wage record should preserve this document. Identity card cum wage book is useful for making record of attendance, wage rate received and wages received from time to time to the labourer. This document is helpful in avoiding ambiguity about the wage payment between the agency implementing the scheme and the labourers. However, according the survey analysis, only about forty percent EGS labourers have received this facility. It is necessary to make out a special campaign for providing identity card cum wage book to all the labourers. 15. To take review of wage rates regularly after every two years. It is observed that EGS wage rates are modified in the state only after six to seven years duration. The National Commission for Rural Workers and Vikhe Patil EGS wage rate review committee (1998) have also emphasized in their report that after every two years duration EGS wage rate should be reviewed and modified, if required. 361 The last review of EGS wage rate was in 2001. Recently, on 26'*’ October, 2005, State Government has taken the decision of maintaining parity in wage rates in accordance with the wage rates of national food for work programme of Government of India. However, it is necessary to take review of EGS rates after every two years. 16. To undertake overall study to reshape and revitalize the scheme. EGS programme is in existence from more than three decades in the state. This programme is well discussed in some aspects. Several social activists and economists have made their contribution by discussing and writing number of articles in newspapers and magazines upto the period of 1990. However, it is necessary to undertake overall study of the scheme covering cost and social audit aspects. It will lead to reshaping and revitalizing the scheme from the point of view of planner, policymaker, concerned beneficiaries and the society in general. C) Recommendations at Implementing Agency Level 1. To make wage payment in the stipulated time. Wage payments are given to the labourers partly in cash and partly in kind i.e. foodgrains. Sometimes, foodgrain coupons are not distributed with the cash component due to administration delay. Whereas in cash payment, also there is delay due to negligence of agency implementation personnel. In some cases, delay occurred is for more than two months. The reasons for delay includes, delay in work measurement, late 362 submission of completed muster to the higher authority for the inspection, queries raised by Treasury section, excess workload to the concerned agency etc. Most of the EGS labourers are poor and entirely depend upon wage payment. If the wage payments are not received in time, the poor labourers are pushed into a vicious circle. Therefore, Government’s administrative machinery as well as agency implementation machinery should take care for making wage payments in a stipulated time. 2. To increase the involvement of village people by the agency implementing the E G S work. EGS work programme is implemented through the Government departments like Irrigation, Agriculture, P.W.D., Forest and Zilla Parishad (as local bodies). These departments prime responsibility is to help the villagers in making productive assets in their villages as well as ensures transparency in all the EGS activities. Unless and until proper participation and involvement of villagers is there, the EGS activity cannot be run smoothly and effectively. Hence, for getting better results and making actual productive assets, agencies involved must properly motivate the villagers and labourers for making EGS as their programme. 3. To ensure co-ordination among the implementing agencies. EGS programme is implemented by different agencies. The main agencies are irrigation, agriculture, P W D , forest and Zilla Parishad as a local body. Implementing agencies are basically independent 363 Government departments, which are setup by their own hierarchies and these work for their own designated functions. In addition to this, they have been imposed the responsibility of implementation of the EGS. However, there is lack of co-ordination among them. It leads to rivalries in implementation as a whole. Therefore, it is necessary to form a proper apex body for the purpose of co-ordination among the implementing agencies. 4. To educate the villagers in relevance to the effectiveness of EGS. Completed EGS projects are ultimately the assets of the villagers. These assets are to be produced as developmental part of the villages and villagers. However, the quality of produced EGS assets should not be inferior. This fact needs to be impressed on the mind of labourers and it is possible by virtue of providing knowledge and giving education to the villagers. It would lead to effectiveness of the EGS. Hence, it is necessary to give education to the villagers, so that the EGS programme is run effectively. 5. To have transparency in the scheme by the implementing agencies. EGS is a unique wage employment programme run by the state Government from more than three decades. In recent times, about five lakh labourers are getting benefits from the scheme and state Government has been spending over Rs. 3,000 crores every year for various development projects through the EGS. On this background, it is 364 expected that, leakages, malpractices and cases of corruption must be minimized and nullified. But unfortunately, corruption scandals keep on erupting. There is a strong need for complete transparency in the execution and implementation of the EGS works which would help to curb the corruption. D) Recommendations at Beneficiary Level 1. To be aware regarding registration for seeking employment under the EGS. According to the registration procedure of getting employment under the scheme, the employment seeker has to register his name with the registration authority i.e. Talati or Gramsevak in a prescribed format viz. with the application of Form No. 1. Getting registration for employment is a statutory provision required under the scheme. If the registration is not made out, the guarantee of getting employment is automatically reduced and moreover, legal guarantee is not there. Also the beneficiary cannot become the claimant for getting unemployment allowance. Hence, as a part of statutory requirement, beneficiaries should be aware and punctual about geting registration for seeking assured employment. 2. Make efforts and insist on getting identity card cum wage book. This would help the beneficiaries to have their written record and help them to get the benefits due under the EGS. 365 3. Awareness regarding the availability of facilities and amenities at the worksite. The Government provides various facilities and amenities to the beneficiaries at the worksites. These include, drinking water, shelter for rest at the time of interval, first-aid box, creches, midwife to look after the children, ex-gratia payment in case of accident if any, maternity benefit to women labourers, wire goggles for stone crushing labourers, etc. However, most of the beneficiaries are not aware about the statutory provisions regarding this and whether the implementing agencies are providing the same or not. Implementing agencies provides these facilities on the long duration worksites likes percolation tanks, long lasting roadwork etc. But, in case of small duration works likes farm pond, forest work, etc. implementing agencies do not provide these facilities properly. Since there is a provision, it is necessary that the beneficiaries should be aware about these facilities and amenities and ask for the same in case they are not provided. 4. To avoid hostile approach for achieving employment under EG S. Sometimes, hostile and aggressive demand of labourers creates problems for the delivery of employment. In a drought situation or in the crisis of natural calamities or even fast seasonal changes, suddenly and rapidly work demand increases. If the implementing agencies or authorities delay in providing works, such a situation creates problems for the administration. 366 However, it is the responsibility of beneficiaries and their union leaders to avoid a militant approach for the smooth implementation of the EGS activity. 5. To be aware about the application of ‘Right to Information Act’ for knowing information in relevance to their dissatisfaction as a E G S beneficiary. The Government of Maharashtra introduced ‘Information Act’ in 2003. Recently viz. from 12'*’ October, 2005, the Government of India has introduced this Act throughout the country. This Act provides a viewpoint to the public of the nation. This Act can serve as a weapon for putting transferency in the activities of EGS. On the other side, implementing agencies would also avoid exploitation of the beneficiaries at all levels. Once this Act is properly enforced and awareness among the people, specially the beneficiaries of the EGS, regarding the Act needs to be created. This shall help the beneficiaries to understand the provisions of the EGS, so that they obtain fair wages as well as have work satisfaction. The Non-Government organizations can also play an important role in creating such awareness. 6. Learn and develop skills. The beneficiaries should be willing to learn and develop new skills which would help them to adopt to different kinds of works involved in EGS. This would bring flexibility in the kind of work allotted to them and help in improving the productivity. This would help the beneficiaries to undertake at least semi-skilled work in addition to the unskilled work. 367 Ultimately, the EGS work should benefit the society in general and the unemployed youth in particular. It may not be possible to implement all the recommendations simultaneously. However, it is possible that some of them can be immediately adopted and the rest can be implemented in a given period after further discussion by the concerned parties involved in the EGS. 368