1. Main Findings: Positive Trends Increase in Agriculture Miniumum Wages as well as wage earned per day and annual income (Source: IIM Lucknow, NDUAT Faizabad) Effective targeting of marginalized groups SC/ST/BPL IIM Lucknow: 85.3 % of the beneficiaries (out of the sample coverage) belong to BPL, of these, 50% belong to Schedule Castes, 44.5 % belong to Other Backward classes Finding supported by ASCI and IIM Ahmedabad in their studies of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat & West Bengal NREGA is used as a supplementary income source during non-agricultural seasons (Source: IIM Ahmedabad) Families having more dependence on animal husbandry receive relatively more employment (Source: IIM Ahmedabad) 1

2. Gram Pradhans & Gram Sabhas play the most important role in generating awareness about NREGA (Source: IIM Lucknow) Districts identified as good performing districts on the basis of MPRs/MIS found to be performing better than the other districts (source: IIM Lucknow) Work availability increased post NREGA The information from MPRs found to be accurate at the level of the district (Source: IIM Ahmedabad) Main Findings: Positive Trends

3. Multiplier effects of NREGA -Improvement in ground water (Anantapur) (Source: ASCI) - Improved agricultural productivity (Anantpur, Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand) -Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Shillong points out that in Meghalaya NREGA has lead to livelihood diversification in rural areas. 3 Main Findings: Positive Trends

4. Oral applications and non-issuance of dated receipts; in Uttar Pradesh as per the study of IIM Lucknow, 88% of the applicants were not given receipts Applicants not able to get employment within the mandated 15 day time frame. IIMA identified non availability of shelf of work as the reason for employment not being offered in district Dangs in Gujarat. Poor maintenance of records, including Muster Rolls, Job Cards Non-availability of NREGS records on request in some states Limited availability of dedicated NREGA staff 4 Main Findings: Institutional Gaps & Other Constraints

5. Distortions in labor market & possible non-viability of small farm agriculture since the increase in minimum wage has been observed to have a positive significant on NREGA employment (source: IIM Ahmedabad) Some states more efficient in creating more employment days per job card Expenditure per employment day – especially on non-wage component - turned out to be smaller in such states 5 Main Findings: Areas for Further Research

6. UTTAR PRADESH Districts: Bareilly, Jalaun, Jhansi, Gorakhpur, Kushinagar, Faizabad, Barabanki, Sultanpur, Azamgarh, Aligarh Institutions: IIM Lucknow, ND University of Agriculture Technology, Faizabad Positive Trends Increase in Agriculture Miniumum Wages as well as wage earned per day and annual income Effective targeting of marginalized groups SC/ST/BPL 85.3 % of the beneficiaries (out of the sample coverage) BPL (50% SC, 44.5 % OBC) Local wage rate increased by 15-20% in the surveyed Panchayats Increase in availability of work post NREGA Gram Pradhan/Sabha play an important in generating awareness about the Scheme 98% beneficiaries operating through bank accounts 91% of the HHs issued Job Cards in 15 days 87% of the workers received payment with a fortnight Institutional Gaps & Other Constraints Low percentage of workers issued dated demand receipts (only 12%) Low women participation (around 20%) Record maintenance needs to be improved (updation of work done, wage paid etc.) Need for more effective grievance and redressal mechanism Only 58% of beneficiaries provided work within 15 days 80% respondents unaware about helpline

7. West Bengal Districts: Bardhman, Birbhum, Malda, Purulia, Bankura, Purb Medinipur, Jalpaiguri Institutions: IIT Kharagpur, IIM Calcutta, IIM Ahmedabad Positive Trends High level of awareness among villagers ST/SC/OBC & BPL households receive relatively more employment High participation of women work force Around 80% of the workers received payments on time NREGA is used as a supplementary income source during non-agricultural season Institutional Gaps & Other Constraints Some Job Cards without photographs Closeness in relation to Panchayats ensures employment Families having more dependence on animal husbandry receive relatively more employment High participation of SC/ST/BPL households Availability of non-NREGA employment & higher non-NREGA wages reduce NREGA employment

8. Orissa Districts: Mayurbhanj, Balasore Institutions: IIT Kharagpur Positive Trends Majority of villagers are satisfied with the registration process Custody of Job Cards: Self or Head of the Family: 86% Local conveyance provided to workers Institutional Gaps & Constraints In Mahisapatta: for 40% respondents, job cards were with sarpanchs In Mohulia and Sinduragaur: for 22%, job cards were with the ward members Average waiting time of 31 days for getting work after application No display of list of ongoing works No helpline for grievance redressal Mismatch between days entered in the job cards versus that stated by the workers Discrimination in providing Job Cards

9. Districts: Akola & Thane Institutions: Central Institute for Fisheries Education, Mumbai Positive Trends Increased opportunity for jobs in Mokhada High participation of ST women workers in NREGA Financial inclusion aiding in bringing the marginalized into the formal banking sector At Nashera, Mokhada average employ-ment per HH was 102 days* under NREGA in 2007-08 Institutional Gaps & Constraints Accurate assessment of demand is required to be made Low salary of Gram Rozgar Sewaks Worksite facilities need to be provided Muster Roll verification needs to be done more regularly Unemployment allowance not given Delay in payment of wages Maharashtra

10. Districts: Adilabad, Guntur, Anantpur Institutions: Administrative Staff College of India Positive Trends 55% participation of SC/ST High level of NREGA awareness (70% of the sample) Anantapur district reported improvement in ground water Adilabad district, NREGA has helped improve the functioning of Gram Panchayats Improved agricultural productivity Stemming of distress migration Schematic convergence with NHM, MIP, Housing, ITDAs and DRDAs Media publicity leading to increased transparency Institutional Gaps & Constraints Some beneficiaries noted wage payment with a wait of more than 15 days Provision of unemployment allowance needs to be strengthened Participation of Gram Panchayats and intermediate PRIs remains marginal Sustainability of the assets Andhra Pradesh

11. Districts: IIT Roorkee Institutions: Haridwar, Tehri & Champawat Positive Trends 25% higher wages for women as compared to pre-NREGS Work provided closer to residential areas Decision making power within household increased for women Digging of ponds, desiliting of channels taken up for the first time Increase in crop productivity in low lying agricultural land; drainage of excess rain water Deputy POs, with MBA qualification, appointed in both the blocks Institutional Gaps & Constraints Low awareness among workers and NREGA functionaries Job Cards not in possession of the workers in a majority of cases (of the sample surveyed) No receipts for job applications Record maintenance and custody of Job Cards Feasibility of wage payment through accounts No Social Audits conducted Quality of assets created Inadequate staff Uttarakhand

12. Districts: South Garo, East Khasi, West Garo & East Garo Hills, Ri Bhoi Institution: IIM Shillong Positive Trends 95 % of the local people happy with the choice of works In 50% of the cases, the quality of work does not look satisfactory Muster Roll entries match Job Cards in 100% of the cases Wage payment within 15 (82% of sample) & equal wage rate Financial and social empowerment of women: Min. of 30% representation in VEC. Reduction in distress migration In all places, GRS, VEC and AEC members have all been trained Ensuring of Environmental, Social and cultural sustainability. ( Ex. works on terrace cultivation, creation of AEC and VEC and inclusion of women therein ) Creation of social capital and reduction in moral hazard in rural society Convergence with line Departments like RD, Horticulture, Irrigation Institutional Gaps & Constraints 80% of the cases the measurement of work is not done on time 40 % of the AEC and VEC members and 90% of the wage seekers not aware Villages surveyed had only two approved shelf of projects ready to start Inadequate worksite facilities Only one Technical assistant for the whole block Meghalaya

13. District: North, East & South Districts Institution: IIM Shillong Positive Trends 95 % of the local people happy with the choice of works 95% of the workers agreed that the banks and post office is present within 5 km from their village. In all cases, the muster rolls are properly maintained There is no evidence of contractors and middle men 45% of the people agreed that they are able to purchase new assets for their home because of working in NREGA Institutional Gaps & Other Constraints 100% of the workers are facing the problem of long delay in the payments. 60% of the people say that there is no indication of payment details in muster roll. Sikkim

14. Districts:Hassan, Chitradurga, Shimoga, Devangere Institution: University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore Positive Trends Increase in annual mean income post NREGA in all the districts Increase in number of annual working days in all districts Increase in number of bank accounts opened Good practices: Change of work timings -7 AM to 2-30 PM (Soraba) Institutional Gaps & Other Constraints Full time dedicated staff for NREGA required Record maintenance needs to be improved Delay in Payment (20 days-Arasikere) MIS not updates No entries in Job Cards in Chitradurga district Karnataka

15. Districts: Kohima, Mokochung, Wokha, Tuensang Institutions: Nagaland University Positive Trends High level of awareness about NREGA Agriculture wage more than NREGA wage Wages paid within 15 days In a majority of the cases Muster Rolls were read out during wage payment Increase in work availability Institutional Gaps & Constraints Inadequate staff Inadequate training Nagaland