There is severe underutilisation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in areas with Chenchu populations, exacerbating the socio-economic vulnerabilities of this particularly vulnerable tribal group, according to a study by LibTech India, an NGO.
The organisation came to the conclusion after analysing the MGNREGS employment data between April and September 2024. It also presented the paper at the Public Policy Conference organised by IIT-Mumbai in December that year.
The study focused on the mandals of Dornala and Yerragondapalem in Prakasam district and Atmakur in Nandyal district, where around 50% of the Chenchus reside. The study identified Chenchu job cards and conducted fieldwork in 20 villages. The study found systemic barriers that led to missed opportunities under the employment scheme.
Growth cut short
The Chenchu Special Project under the MGNREGS provided 180 days of work per individual per year instead of the standard 100 days per household. The initiative, implemented through the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), ensured timely payments, culturally sensitive work environments and greater community participation.
However, the project was scrapped in 2021 when the management of the MGNREGS shifted to a centralised system. This transition marked the beginning of numerous challenges for Chenchu households.
LibTech India’s analysis of data from April to September 2024 showed that MGNREGS participation among Chenchu households remains dismally low. In Dornala, only 651 households out of 1,480 job cards participated (44%), while Atmakur recorded 292 households out of 541 (54%). Yerragondapalem fared better with 832 out of 992 households (84%). Even the data for 2023-24 period saw similar low participation rates, with many Chenchu families unable to access the full 100 days of guaranteed employment.
The termination of the Chenchu Special Project has led to significant socio-economic fallout. Incomes have plummeted, with many households earning an average of just ₹12,000 annually through MGNREGA, compared to the potential ₹48,000 that could have been earned had the scheme been fully utilised. Delays and rejections in wage payments, coupled with administrative errors in Aadhaar linking and job card details, further discouraged participation.
Another grievance among Chenchu households was that they did not possess a physical copy of their job cards, which made accessing the MGNREGA benefits nearly impossible. Field investigations showed that many families were unaware of their job card status or had been unable to retrieve them owing to bureaucratic hurdles.
The loss of income from the MGNREGS has forced many Chenchu families to abandon agriculture owing to high cost, increasing their reliance on the inadequate Public Distribution System. This disrupted education, weakened family cohesion and contributed to a decline in Self-Help Groups (SHGs), which were once crucial for financial stability and women empowerment.
LibTech India recommended reinstating elements of the Chenchu Special Project, ensuring timely wage payments through state-managed funds and introducing mobile banking services to streamline disbursements. Additionally, fostering culturally sensitive work environments and segregating Chenchu employment data for better monitoring could significantly enhance participation and outcomes.
By adopting these measures, the MGNREGS has the potential to once again become a vital source of livelihood for the Chenchu community, reducing economic vulnerabilities and promoting sustainable development, the LibTech India said in its study.
Published – January 12, 2025 07:39 pm IST
