The gender equality that MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) brings in terms of wages to a labourer seems to be losing its steam as far as the number of female job-card holders, that are actively working under the scheme, is concerned.
As per the statistics available on MNREGA, the scheme by virtue of nature of works that is usually provided has fueled inertia among women labourers in Jharkhand. Interestingly, the number of active women labourers in Jharkhand is under 30 per cent of total women workforce enrolled under the scheme. Despite more than 30 types of works specified under the rural job scheme, MGNREGA has largely became synonymous with digging wells and ponds which tend to drive women away from it.
“Majority of works that is provided under MNREGA is labour intensive hence women are generally excluded. There are works listed under the scheme which are more suitable for women but it exists on paper only,” said Commissioner to Advisor to Supreme Court, Balram adding “state officials lack vision”. The permissible categories of work under MNREGA also includes works like plantation, goatery, fishery et al which is claimed to be more suitable for a women however the approach to identify work that MNREGA offers has been turned upside down. Under the flagship scheme, a Gram Sabha has been given the authority to select work and approve it however most of the time a work is imposed from top, claimed Balram.
However, the state officials denied turning the identification of work upside down and claimed that the bottom-up approach is being adhered in the selection of jobs. The scheme has been integrated with rural sanitation projects which probably keeps women associated with MNREGA.“Whatever works the department decides are indicative in nature. Works are still decided and approved by Gram Sabha. There are works like construction of toilets where women have been given work,” said MNREGA Commissioner Rahul Sharma.
Nonetheless, MNREGA watchdogs advocate more compassionate attitude towards women compared to male and propose pro-women policy changes in the scheme vis-Ã -vis piece rate that is paid to a labourer. Piece rate wage system is also known as payment by result. “There is a need to change both the type of work and size of work for women,” maintained Balram.
Moreover, the worksite facility is also pegged as the reason for exclusion of women especially nursing and lactating mother besides women with small children from the scheme. “There is rarely any worksite facility at a work place for women with children thus fuelling inactivity among them. Delay in wage payment is also one reason for disenchantment among women,” pointed out an official of PACS, Dhiraj Horo.
Meanwhile, the Rural Development department is likely to introduce Electronic Fund Management System to address delay in fund transfer under MNREGA besides extending the facility of biometric based payment system to labourers. The move is touted to improve participation level among women.