1. CUTS Centre for Consumer Action, Research & Training 1 Improving the Public Expenditure Outcomes of the NREGS Through Social Accountability Interventions Presenters: George Cheriyan / Om Prakash Arya December 17, 2009

2. CUTS Centre for Consumer Action, Research & Training 2 Context NREGA enacted on August 25, 2005 & based on this NREGS stared as pilot in 200 most backward districts on Feb. 2, 2006 Government had plan to scale up NREGS in whole country based on pilot results Huge public money was to be incurred after scaling up and proper utilization was a concern NREGA significantly shows Commitment to transparency and accountability and gives citizen a central role at every stage Accountability tools like Social Audit & RTI Act are integrated in the NREGA

3. CUTS Centre for Consumer Action, Research & Training 3 Implementation in letter and spirit was a challenge Government was very keen to get feedback from the field to amend the loopholes in guideline while scaling up Problem: Unavailability of feedback from wage seekers/ villagers on the implementation Accountability Intervention: Citizen’s Assessment of implementation of NREGS in Sirohi district of Rajasthan Process & Tools: CRC was used for getting user feedback on the implementation (Q n Q) and CSC to extract accountability and responsiveness from service providers.CRC Context…

4. CUTS Centre for Consumer Action, Research & Training 4 Summary of Process of change State and District administration were informed about the project since its beginning Collection of feedback through CRC and its strategic dissemination at various levels and creation of a platform for interface between wage seekers and service providers through CSCfeedback CSC This intervention has led to a series of -Behavior changes among NREGS stakeholders- wage seekers, field supervisors, local government -Institutional changes at various levels of government

5. CUTS Centre for Consumer Action, Research & Training 5 Case

6. CUTS Centre for Consumer Action, Research & Training 6 Behavioral Changes Among Wage Seekers Increased level of eagerness to be aware about entitlements as per provisions of NREGA Enhanced information on various aspects of sanctioned works under NREGS, such as budget, costs for materials and wages More courage to the beneficiaries to openly express their concerns such as -The process of work measurement, lack of a quick grievance redress system -The antagonistic behavior of field supervisors work towards beneficiaries

7. CUTS Centre for Consumer Action, Research & Training 7 Behavioral Changes Among Wage Seekers Wage seekers also openly questioned service providers about these concerns which was a substantial behavior shift on the part of them Realization about the need to participate in the decision making process and as result increased participation in the meetings of Gram Shabha

8. CUTS Centre for Consumer Action, Research & Training 8 Behavioral Changes Among Service Providers Lower local government functionaries and elected representatives understood for the first time that they were also considered as ‘service providers’ and had clear responsibilities under NREGS Local government and field supervisors were sensitized towards problems in NREGS Service delivery and develop more responsive management processes and systems Realization of the fact that the service providers are answerable to their actions and decisions, and hence has to be accountable to the people

9. CUTS Centre for Consumer Action, Research & Training 9 Institutional Changes Increased initiatives to recruit and train female field supervisors Removal of intermediary agency between the government and contractual staff Establishment of Task Force to explore more comprehensive and effective possibilities of convergence with NREGA Broadened scope for social accountability approaches in other government departments Regular open training for NREGS beneficiaries and capacity building of field supervisors on work measurement standards

10. CUTS Centre for Consumer Action, Research & Training 10 Limitations Weak Institutions and Procedures Low capacity of civil society, media and rural people Inconsistent strategies Overlapping roles and responsibilities Significantly skill shortage File is on move

11. CUTS Centre for Consumer Action, Research & Training 11 Overall Investment The NREGS budget for Sirohi was Rs 757 million (about US$18 million) for the year 2007–08 CUTS’ accountability intervention costs approximately Rs 1.26 million (US$30,000) which represents less than 1 percent of the total district budget for NREGS in Sirohi The cost to do one CSC, on one of the selected service deliveries in a Garm Panchayat, was only Rs. 15,000 (US$ 357) In the absence of an institutionalized social audit process, a small investment in an accountability intervention can precipitate a series of behavior and institutional changes to improve the implementation of large-scale, national flagship welfare schemes like NREGS

12. CUTS Centre for Consumer Action, Research & Training 12 Thank You !