Bihar elections results-Caste-Religion or Intolerance-Ideology or Modi-Nitish

The results for much awaited Bihar Assembly elections'15 are out. The grand-alliance (MGB) Nitish-Lalu-Rahul has clicked in perhaps beyond all anticipation and expectations, sweeping two-thirds of the seats is not what NDA would have ever imagined in the wildest of their dreams. MGB win over NDA has been and would be analysed by many political analysts, thinkers, the "pujaris" of democracy and the intellectual social media (Fb-itna posts to India ke 2011 WC ke baad me nahi aaya hoga, Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagram etc.) "junta". Since I failed to categorize myself in these compartments of analysts, so I choose this private yet public platform to highlight (not analyse) a few salient features of today's results-

a. "Cast your vote not Vote your caste" is a common saying on the eve of National Voters Day (25th January) and election season by people of so-called caste driven society of India.
Rural population still votes either to the candidate who gives freebies (cash/jewellery,alcohol,sarees etc.) a day or two before V-Day (Voting Day) or the candidate of their caste (Yadav/Kurmi/Dalit/Mahadalit etc.). As the former has been controlled this to a large extent by the excellent work of district administration via Flying Squad Teams (FST), Static Surveillance Teams (SST) and Video Surveillance Teams (VST) who have ensured a strict vigil and control day and night over the movement of things- illicit liquor, cash>50k etc, the latter still prevails.

The urban literate/educated society vote to the candidate who belongs to the party of their ideology (may/may not be on the basis of caste). Here the profile of the candidate matters a lot, e.g. If a candidate is a businessman, all businessmen/women would vote to him irrespective of the caste and other indicators/parameters.
To add to it, Class plays a big role here. Forward (Brahmans, Kshatriyas, Bhumiyars, Vaishyas, Kayasthas etc.) vote to the party whom they believe stands for them (Its widely believed BJP is a forward-class party- Ever since the days Congress introduced Land Reforms, making the zamindars and the land-ruling class unhappy; though later bad implementation of these reforms to ensure the party continues the support of these classes and BJP using "Kamandal", Rath, Babri and most recent Dadri has maintained its status as a Hindu and "forwards" party).

But even in such a scenario, if you have a close look on the list of candidates who came out to be winner and runner-up, you would find that both belong to the same caste e.g. Mahadalit vs Mahadalit ; Brahman vs Brahman as evident from SITAMARHI 24-BATHNAHA Dinkar Ram BJP 67460 Surendra Ram INC 47649 19811 17/19; MADHUBANI 32-BENIPATTI Bhawana Jha INC 41676 VINOD NARAIN JHA BJP 38187 3489 14/19 or Caste 1 v/s Caste 2- the top two castes as far as the voter base is concerned e.g. Brahman vs Yadav MADHUBANI 38-JHANJHARPUR NITISH MISHRA BJP 41411 GULAB YADAV RJD 35370 6041 12/20.

Thus, both the parties (winner & runner-up) filed candidates not on the basis of ideology (Forward-BJP or Lalu Yadav- Yadav or INC-Muslim) or merit (Doctor, Engg, Lawyer but criminals) but CASTE. So, when all the parties resorted to the same, what do you think who should be blamed- People's mindset/educational levels/poverty or Political parties' ideology/politicizing caste factor?

b. Manifesto- Development or Deviation- LS elections'14 were fought between two parties predominantly in the name of Corruption, Policy paralysis, Development, fighting poverty (despite the runling party had emerged as a right-based party- Right to work, Right to education etc.) and the Vikash Purush Mr. Modi with a clean image and nice branding of good work exhibited in Gujarat (3 times CM) and the development model he used there and promised to replicate the same for the entire country if voted to power. The mandate spoke the rest- Modi (BJP) bagged a thumping victory as people voted not for BJP etc. but for an image which can make a better image of the country in international arena (which majority would accept has been achieved); for development of the Poorest of the Poor and not skewed development of Adanis, Ambanis, Tatas, Birlas, upper middle class (the last beneficiaries); for making India a favorable business/tourism/educational destination (Ease of doing business rankings and FDI & Tourism inflows speaks all).

Without discussing the report card of 1.5 years rule of the central government (as that is not what we are analyzing here), did NDA reached out to the Bihari (identity not slang) voters on the same agenda or had they got deviated to something else-Ideology of the parent organisation and the politics revolving around it, "Kuch bhi" type speeches/comments of BJP leaders, Beef incident, Intolerance (the new buzz word), Award wapsi etc.
This is not what people had expected from the Vikash Purush of Gujarat 2 India NaMo. I seriously think if the manifesto of NDA would have been aligned towards Development, then the mandate would also have been aligned in the opposite direction than the status quo.
The BJP mandate on the other hand revolved around 5000 scooties/year (with free petrol), the 1.65 lakh CR special package to Bihar etc.; it lacked the vigour the people would have expected from the charismatic persona of Mr. Modi and his developmental plans (replicable on ground most importantly). The party perhaps tried to match with the opposition's manifesto, thus losing the edge it had in a politically active and vigilant state (where urban votes less than rural and female vote more than male).

3. Alliances- Bane or Boon- The alliance BJP made with parties like LJP (Jo Jeeta Woh Sikandar, Hum Usi ke andar), RLSP (family Kushwaha party), HAM (Manjhi-the controversial statement lover ex-CM) can also be a major reason for its debacle. On the one hand, you are supposed to be a forward-backing party, and on the other you have shaken hands with Mahadalit (HAM), Dalit (LJP), EBC (RLSP), forces one to vote for the candidate but party/alliance (a clean imaged candidate irrespective of party matters more than the candidate of the centre-ruling party alliance).- If you look at LS elections'15, the alliance NDA didn't win but its PM candidate Modi won, on a similar note, today the alliance MGB didn't win but CM candidate Mr. Nitish Kumar (a comparatively cleaner image than anyone else in the state-not to compare the two-Mr.Nitish vs Modi; apart from the caste/religion factor & development in last 2 terms bringing Bihar from -ve to +ve on the national arena). There is a marked difference in the victories of these 2 Vikash Purush- Modi (Gujarat 2 India) and Nitish (Bihar 2 an unsuccessful aspirant of India)- The "FACE" or the direct person in-charge of the nation/state affairs; BJP didn't name the CM candidate-perhaps due to Kiran Bedi factor in Delhi Assembly elections (3/70) or caste/religion factor and its possible impact on the mandate or it couldn't find a single candidate (even a Saankha-Sangh Parivar Karyakarta) deserving for this post. In such a blurred scenario, this is what they have now (a half century as consolation prize). When you are self-sufficient and confident on the your ideology and agenda of development as the sole manifesto item, stick to it, propagate it and reap the mandate similar to LS'14 (unexpectedly expected) rather than making self-hurting and contradictory alliances (Ek taraf Brahman ko vote kare yaha and waha ek Mahadalit ki jeetne ke liye prathana bhi kare).

Thus, in the end I would like to conclude with a statement and uncertainty about our self-created and decided future, let us understand and accept a basic thing that we have elected a government under the CMship of the Vikash Purush of Bihar, which may do wonders (converge) by making us No.1 in development & ease of a happy & peaceful living for all OR do wanders (diverge) by making us No.1 in backwardness (BIMARO- Odisha tops the list now) & ease of doing criminal activities-loot, extortion, kidnapping, burglary etc. (Jungle Raj returns); a stable yet coalition government under Mr.Nitish for the coming 5 years or a general coalition government always on the verge of compromise in the name of preventing a re-election within the tenure of 5 years (aspirations of Lalu's sons and RJD after bagging more seats than Nitish on his name itself).

Bihar is on the crossroads of a development paradigm or Jungle Raj 2.0!!!

A crucial thing for this government is the manner in which Nitish Kumar handles the other 2 parties of alliance (the biggest beneficiaries in this election) and their representatives in Vidhan Sabha, ministries and bureaucrats (Hope Caste and chamchagiri are not the parameters for posting@districts).

Lets not forget its we who make it, who run it, and who destroy it. Let us pledge that we won't tolerate (?) and ensure that the haunting past of Jungle Raj 1.0 won't return even if attempted to be returned, by staying united and together under the same umbrella of a state that has always been famous (infamous) because of several reasons.

Jai Hind, Jai Bihar, Jai Biharis!!!

Loktantra or tantra-mantra-Bihari-Slang 2 Proud Identity

The morning of 9th September'15 brought perhaps the most independent and transparent body i.e. Election Commission of India (ECI) into act when it announced the dates of Bihar Assembly elections, 2015. Model Code of Conduct got automatically enforced. The "bigul" (trumphet) of political parties and the queues of candidates at the party offices (Patna and Delhi...also Nagpur) became a common phenomena till the final list of candidates was announced. A neck-to-neck competition between MGB (NLR-Nitish-Lalu-Rahul) and NDA (SMS-Shah-Modi-Sushil/Shahnawaz) was expected from the word "Go". It would be improper and unjust/biased to not mention the super-confident national (?) political party BSP (Sushri Behan Mayawati), which has fielded its candidates in all the 243 constituencies.

Post-independence, Congress managed to sweep elections (LS and state assembly) till 1967 uninterrupted. Since then, state politics began to creep in making roads for regional factions and with passage of time, formations and divisions of/in parties and their support base accordingly, today we are at the crossroads where the arch rivals have united against leaving behind the past memories and rigid yet flexible ideologies (Sarkar ke liye kuch bhi karega).

Where on one hand we have Nitish (incumbent CM and the Modi of Bihar's development-Kurmi-4%) with Lalu (Fodder-Rabdi-drama-humorous-Lantern-law&order jeopardized@15years-1990-2005-Yadavs-14%) and Congress (Rahul Gandhi yet to prove his mettle as a leader of the country's oldest political party and future PM-Muslims-16.9%), the other hand is not less diverse- BJP (Modi-Amit Shah duo, Hindus-Forward-15%), LJP (Give me ministry and I would give my 100% allegiance till you are in power-Paswan-5%), RLSP (family party-Kushwaha-4%), HAM (ex-CM Manjhi- loves controversial statements- Musahar-3%). If you analyse the %s closely in both the alliances, you may have understood the bottom line of the Bihar elections like before continues to be "Casteism"- Backward (OBC/EBC-51%) and Minority v/s Forward and Most Backward (Mahadalits/SC), which makes it more difficult to predict the winner of the game.

Communalism has added its flavour in the elections post-Dadri, ink throwing episodes and daily award wapsi exercise. Thus, C+C is what makes the prediction to determine the future government of Bihar even more tougher.

Would be unfair for the parties if I miss mentioning the freebies announced by both the alliances (bipolar continuum- extreme left MGB and extreme right of course NDA). Nitish's cycle scheme for girls (2005 elections) has traveled a long distance to NDA's Scooty scheme for girls (along with free petrol-2015) is one among the many (DA increment, inclusion of more castes in EBC and SC list, 1.65 lakh special package, Padhai-Kamai-Dawai and bijli-paani-sadak etc.)

Amidst all of this-rallies of star campaigners-their speeches and promises (but obvious), one noteworthy aspect of the elections has been the role of the district administration- from a supporter (earlier) to an active participant (2015 elections). The manner in which it has ensured best implementation of Model Code of Conduct- catching illicit liquor, illegal arms, cash>50K, using banners & flexes w/o permission, loudspeakers beyond 10 PM etc., SVEEP (Systematic Voter Enhancement and Electoral Participation)- creating awareness among the voters to use their democratic R2V without fear on V-Day, 100% distribution of Voter Information (Matdan Parchi- which used to be once distributed by the party in their favourable way), stringent monitoring of advertisements from ground 2 social media etc., deployment of CRPF personnel at all polling booths marking peaceful election process needs an applause of the highest order.

All Voter Turnout records of past elections have been broken (record 68% VTR in Katihar in Ph-V) may be due to the present "mahoul" of the nation and the past or anti-incumbency or development-needs taking driver seat etc.

Majority of the exit polls have signaled good news for MGB, but remember they are just exit polls (complete reversal in final results in 2004 LS and numerous others). It would be better to wait a couple of days more before the "bigul" for making government starts and queues in front of Raj Bhawan. Few political parties' offices would get drums beating and celebrating Diwali with colours and crackers and rest serenity and peace.

Lets hope the party which makes government for the coming 5 years this November'15, gives the state and its people what they deserve. Things have had started to change in the last 10 years for Bihar- Roads, electricity, GDP growth rate, image on the country's map and people's minds etc. Hope this trend continues at an accelerated pace and the development of state- infrastructure, capital (including Human) matches/excels beyond the country's.

Kalam's India 2020 may be one of the targets the new government (2015-20) can look for, would be a great tribute to a fantastic Indian scientist and President.

Jai Bharat Jai Bihar!!!      

Hope or No Hope or Practical Hope!!!

In pursuit of practical hope

It’s too hot, we may have a good soothing monsoon this time. This is “Hope” (Sparta) is the ultimate thing in this world (even in this heat wave summer). It keeps us alive (~Cool drink) every day and drives us to work hard for achieving the aims and aspirations of individuals, groups and in fact the whole mankind.

“If Winter comes can spring be far behind!!”- A famous line from the poem “Ode to the west wind” through which the poet P.B. Shelley emphasized on cyclical nature of difficult and good times i.e. if today we are surrounded with problems, issues and difficulties, tomorrow is bound to be happy, beautiful and marvelous. In fact this belief of cyclic nature of times is based on optimism as there is no scientific evidence for the same.

Why do you think we take the support of Optimism (Hope) even when we see negligible chances of things sorting out in our favor and difficulties getting replaced by solutions? To live…To fool oneself….No other alternative…or May be it is the solution to get solutions to the status quo. If the latter is true, Optimism is bliss and must be resorted to in all circumstances and situations in life. But do we do so and follow only Optimism and nothing else? No, we sometimes (depending from person-to-person) uses the step-brother (opposite bank of the river Optimism)-Pessimism. Why do we do so?

Pessimism asks several questions from Optimism and many a times proves that one needs to be pragmatic (practical) and not a blind optimist. Thus, Pessimism uses Practicality as a weapon to get its enemy Optimism down in the battle of supremacy and selection of one over the other. This is what the blog wants to target upon- Whether Optimism is impractical and the weapon of Pragmatism holds any significance? And is there any possibility for the existence of a third element which mankind may resort to in this difficult and challenging life?

Shouldn’t we rejuvenate ourselves and accept the third element- Pragmatic Optimism (PO), rejecting Pessimism (even in the true/false pretext of Pragmatism). This short write-up is an ambitious attempt to explain this concept of Pragmatic Optimism (self-coined concept).

PO is an amalgam of Pragmatism and Optimism. Thus, it asks one to be optimist but at the same time practical/ pragmatic. Practicality does not mean rejection of choices/ chances/ alternatives. It also doesn’t mean closing eyes when one can’t see the roads to future. It means Try Hard to transform darkness to light and Think Twice before you accept darkness after it becomes evident that “it is what it is”.

The best example one may quote of PO is the basis of the methodology used by the Father of Nation, Mahatma Gandhi (MG) against British in the country’s freedom struggle. He knew a battle on ground using weapons and artillery can’t be ever won against the mighty colonial power, ruling over more people in the world as compared to its own country’s population. Thus, MG used the modus-operandi of SATYAGRAHA, non-violent struggle for truth. Many misjudge it as Petition & Prayer approach of Moderates and feel this was the method for the coward and weak not for the youth and bold (though the truth is on the contrary). 30 years of his freedom struggle journey (1917-47) and the 3 movements- Non-Cooperation Movement, Civil Disobedience Movement and Quit India Movement on the same ideology of non-violence and satyagraha and today we know what difference it made to this nation. His unique yet fabulous and successful tool or weapon in nation and abroad (South Africa) was not less deadly than a nuclear weapon but with least casualties and fatalities on ground, the end result was achieved. 

The statement above in italics shows MG’s PO attitude and changed the world for ever and forever. Optimism of getting the nation free from the clutches of the English and Pragmatic as the method of Satyagraha was employed to gain independence unlike the other methods which may be heroic, bold and brave but short-lived and thus may not succeed in achieving the objective.

In the literature and philosophical war between Optimism (O) and Pessimism (P’), this new element Pragmatic Optimism (PO) may be considered as a midway between the two extremities.

If Optimism is finding light in dark, Pessimism is negating even the axiom (truth beyond proof).

If Optimism is fighting against TB/AIDS/Cancer and win the battle over it to live a disease-less life, Pessimism is dying before death.

Applying PO to the above cases, we can say Pragmatic Optimism is searching for the rocks/matchstick/torch/LED; fighting against the deadly diseases and come out with flying colours (Yuvraj Singh-hit a six to send Cancer not only out of the stadium but his life).

Optimism is an attitude, personality trait, a way of living life and much more for few and Pessimism for others. Let’s replace both O and P’ with PO and universalize the concept that had, can have and would have a long-lasting imprint on our life, your lives and the world we dwell in.

Hope (O-PO) to come soon with a new blog. It’s based on PO as evident from my past blogs. That’s how we all may apply PO in small, petty trivia yet important and life-changing cases anytime sometimes and every time.

"A better tomorrow is in your hands if you see tomorrow on the lines on optimism and pragmatism as against pessimism and idealism."

Kal vs Aaj - Generation Gap

Many a times, you would have heard this term "Generation Gap"; This word always gets figured as a pretext to show that We (Our generation) are different from You (Your generation). Before I go further and use this word "generation" more, I would like to throw a synonym of it i.e. Cohort- "People within a delineated population who experience the same significant events within a given period of time".

The above bolded statement would help us in categorizing the Generations (accepted by researchers and sociologists) as follows-

Traditionalists (Gen. T) – Born before 1945; Also called Silent Generation. Typically defined as “team players, indirect communicators, institutionally loyal, obedient, dutiful and associated with organizational seniority.”
Baby Boomers (Gen. B) – Born 1946-1964. Traditionally described as “visionary, skilled at seeing the big picture, title agnostic, optimistic, job-oriented, conflict adverse, competitive but also increasingly interested in work-life balance.”
Generation X – Born 1965-1979. Usually regarded as “positive, goal oriented, multitaskers, globally minded, self-reliant, informal, freedom loving, job neutral and techno-literal.”
Generation Y – Born 1980-2000. Also called Millennials (2000). Typically described as “confident, sociable, street smart, diverse, technologically savvy, multitaskers and non-confrontational.”

Thus, the core idea and matter of fact is Year of Birth determining your generation and distinguishing traits, characteristics and styles of different generations.

In layman's words, Generation Gap can be defined as a gap between the thinking, attitude and behavior of father and son/daughter; saas (mother-in-law) and bahu (daughter-in-law); Nokia 1600 equipped boss Sharma Jee and tech-savvy I-Phone user Sam (Shyam).

Each generation offers unique perspectives, experiences, skills and more importantly contrasting attitudes towards work habits, communication styles and technology utilization.
Is this generation difference/gap? Is it positive? Does it affect the moral fabric of society? Does it yield to conflicts and disputes? Are these disputes avoidable or solvable?

To answer myself and the above posed questions (by me and their generation on me and this generation), the following two parameters are being discussed-
a. Career- How does one value career and how he/she understands and assigns the values to his/her career perspectives?

Gen. T and B were first-generation education getters (school-goers) and thus after completion of B.Sc/M.Sc (B.Tech/M.S @Gen. X and Y) looked for jobs to sustain their families (and families of families-Joint Family culture). Hard Labor and dedication used to be the defining "mantra" to climb up the ladder in jobs and promotion was based on these traits. Perseverance and Tolerance in behavior at work gave them satisfaction, the desired end-result of work. "Karma hi puja hain" was the one-liner of employees of these generations for whom work was as sacred as prayers and Boss next to God.
                   Working hours were rigid and systematic ("8 meaning 8"). Risk-taking ability was minimal and people once employed used to stay in the same company for decades and sometimes celebrating silver jubilees (may also be as a token of gratitude, relation maintenance and loyalty to the company or job). A decent salary and peaceful life with family, balancing the duo-Work-Family was above all.

Almost everything has changed for Gen. X and Y if you attempt to do a minute and point-by-point comparison on the theme "Career".
Ambitions and aspirations are at its peak and becoming the deciding factor for choosing career. Lucrative packages and CTC's i.e. "Apna Sapna Money Money" run in their minds more than anything else (driver's seat). Smart Work is preferred over Hard Work; The feeling of paucity of time for parents and family (backseat) always is another distinguishing feature of them.
                                                                                                                                   Work hours and timings have become fluid, flexible and suiting the employee not the employer as earlier. Even the work place has changed from Office to Home (option available and availed). When it comes to risk, it won't be incorrect to call it a synonym for this generation. Their urge to "switch-over" and change cos. paying better (especially in IT sector) has revolutionized the employee-employer (EmE-EmR) relationship. Earlier this EmE-EmR relation was of a giver-taker (of work done) as compared to present day's taker-giver (of money in lieu of the work done); thus monetization of work has prevailed the picturesque of today's working culture.


b. Technological- MS Office (Word, Excel, PPT) has transformed the complete modus-operandi of presenting and calculating or tabulating things as compared to Registers and Bahi-Khaatas. Mobiles from Nokia 1100 to Android (-kitkat-lolypop)-Windows (-XP-7-8-8.1-10)- Apple powered smartphones (no more mere phones).

These generations differ in utilization of the tech available for all- Gen. T and B being Tech-disabled/handicapped (Exceptions are there) and tech -savvy (gadget friendly-Mobiles, Lappy, Ipods, MP3 Players with headphones and speakers-BOSE to JBL and Bluetooth transferred from mobiles to ears) Gen. X & Y. This is just a matter of timing and adaptability (favoring the X,Y). Mostly, one may listen to the T & B asking X & Y to not get over-dependent on technology and ignoring the basics (which has taken a back foot). Face of Social networking has changed from visiting friends and families on weekends to Facebook or WhatsApp or Skype. Internet-Bane or boon is beyond discussion and out of question as the utilization of the same decides the category its placed.


Managing generation-gap isn't rocket-science (buzz word these days). In fact it is more of a social science. Compromise is inevitable. But with honest, open communication and strategic mechanisms that promote healthy exchanges, generation gap can be transformed to one generation aiding other to build a seamless and bilateral transfer of knowledge and leadership for the benefit of the society we live in.

The topic of this blog was in my mind since long time. Special Thanks to my mother and Sumana Sen to throw some light on this, enabling me finally to pen these thoughts and opinion I, Gen. Y (1990 born) have about my preceding (senior) generations-T (grandparents), B (parents) and X (uncles).

Rural Developent-An imaginary concept or a future reality

MGNREGS- An impact study of the world's largest employer using the concept of 3 F's
 

MGNREGS (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme) was launched during UPA-I regime in 2005 in a phased manner and got implemented across the nation in 2008. It is always associated with “paradigm shift” in rural development schemes because of its following remarkable, distinct and unprecedented characteristics/features-

• bottom-up
• people-centred
• demand-driven
• self-selecting (Gram Sabha)
• rights-based approach (Right2Work;1^st amongst R2Food, R2Education,R2Info.)                                                                                                                             

1st F is the Functionaries-DRDA, PO, PRS and Mukhiya/Sarpanch. 

Let’s start with PO i.e. Program Officer. One may inquire why I started with PO Sahab, a block level personnel and not DRDA, a district level agency. It has been intentionally done as it’s so difficult to explain him, his qualifications, his works, his attitude & behavior, his salary constancy and his managerial skills. He is an MBA graduate and joined MGNREGS with vigor and energy, filled with positivity and sometimes a dream to change the rural landscape. He acts as a bridge between district DRDA and Gram Panchayat Mukhiya, PRS when it comes to map the governmental Functionaries and that between people and his staff at block and panchayat levels. When he joined, he was told that he would be a parallel authority in block with BDO Sahab (looking after law and order) and him being the nodal authority for MGNREGS. A decent salary (in 2007, considered so) in governmental setup and a BOSS of a scheme at block level and a parallel authority were enough for them to join (and continues to retain almost ALL of them).

But due to no- revision (promised and reiterated many a times) of their salaries, now they have been left behind by other authorities (who were very behind in the salary race) and have a sub-standard package (in accordance with their qualifications). Being such a bridge takes a lot in managing the illiterate, poor and yet wise rural community, which still considers government schemes as tangible benefits (non-returnable/ non-refundable support/loan).

Next being PRS, soul and body of the scheme. He may rank 2^nd here but often assumed to be topper in several aspects. Withdraw him from the scheme and see the world- a non-corrupt one as claimed by majority. He is the sarve-sarva of the scheme at panchayat level (though Mukhiya holds a significant hold in picking people to work, labour payments, Social Audit, Materials like Sand, Bricks etc. on credit from the market etc.). A lot of serious questions on his work and non-work related matters can be as follows-

      How can a PRS work at a salary of Rs.5000 away from home and that also in a case when he does not receive his salary regularly and irregularity or discontinuity of the scale of 17 months? Since, he accepted the job at this pay-scale and has signed the contract specifying all the Terms and Conditions, does that block/restrain him from becoming corrupt?

      Do you think low salaried people are prone to corruption? i.e. Can low salaries be considered as excuses for corruption at their level? This also means that high salaried people should be dry-honest and never corrupt, which has not been the case in history.

      Do you think there is a general apathy in the government setup that drives one towards corruption and inefficiency at work?

      Can less tedious monitoring of works done by the higher level officers and more tedious and tough checking/monitoring of those done by the field level staff like PRS/Awaas Sahayaks/HM/ASHA/ANM/AWW etc. be considered apt? If yes, why and if no, why not?

The genesis of this thinking that lower level or ground level staff are more corrupt than the higher level employees(Babus) is what was the basic reason for “BUDHWAARI JAANCH”(Wednesday Inspection) under which all the NREGA works done in a Panchayat on field and paper works in recent years were inspected. At the time of its introduction/inception, it was considered to be Anna Hazare's Lokpal type revolutionary exercise, which would put a full stop to the rampant corruption occurring in the scheme. As time passed by, the contrary was observed and it was soon realised that it has become an ultimate tool of rampant corruption in the name of Recovery and sometimes even PRS were forced to resign if not pay bribes. I am afraid that in a situation like this the world’s most ambitious and largest employment generating and guaranteeing scheme (as per the law in letter if not in spirit) may turn out to be advantageous for those who need it lesser than for those who are in dire need of the same. An irony and failure on the part of governance of the country is that the poverty-alleviation cum socialist/welfare state oriented schemes have benefitted the middle class and rich more than the needy and targeted poor (Mathew effect). This has been the past of schemes/reforms in the nation and the future is calling for the same even in NREGA.

 
Coming on to the IInd “F” viz. “Functions” after the above “F” viz. “Functionaries”.

Under this we would discuss the positive and negatives (if any) of the functions undertook by the scheme i.e. Impact Study of the scheme via its works on the ground.

a.       Roads- An ultimate positive achievement of the scheme has been ROADS. Five years back, we had only PMGSY (thanks to AB Vajpayee, the most recent Bharat Ratna recipient) for rural India apart from NH and SH. Today, if you reach the Indian villages via roads, you would be taken aback when you observe roads (not the BLACK ones, but WHITE- signifying strength and durabilility). PMGSY provided external road connectivity to the villages from the main roads (NH/SH) unlike the internal connectivity provided by MGNREGA.

Types of rural roads-from yesterday 2 tomorrow
 
PAST- Kachhi Sadak and Brick Soiling
PRESENT- PCC and above 2
FUTURE- PCC only.

This is what MGNREGA has done, a remarkable present and a probable and promising future of connectivity in the heart of the country.

 b.       Sanitation and Hygiene-
          Drains
          Toilets
          Soakpits

 
There was a time when one could not think about seeing a single drain in the villages (despite the fact that urban sanitation itself is poor and stinking even today). But MGNREGA brought a remarkable item in its basket of works and then rural sanitation got a kick-start and naalas were constructed. Today the mindset of people has changed to such a level that when asked about the needs of the ward (village), PCC roads and/or drains are the top most priority areas they want the government and the scheme to work on. This is evident from IPPE (Planning exercise in the scheme) where almost every ward of the state unanimously declared their most important work as PCC/Drains, leaving behind the individual works like Goatery/Poultry shed etc. and even the heart of the agrarian society i.e. irrigation-renovation of the traditional water bodies like chaur/payne etc.

The last “F” i.e. Funds, the most crucial aspect of life-public (schemes) or private (pockets), has been dealt in the end since the proper utilisation of this “F” is possible only when the former F’s succeed in their respective roles and responsibilities.

Fund flow in a CSS is generally smooth from centre to states but this scheme has been an exception. Being the brainchild of UPA, various sources have repeatedly quoted Modi-led NDA government’s intentions to scrap the scheme or restrict it to tribal and backward blocks only. But all these news have been mere news and rumours. But one think is true that post-NDA government, the beneficiaries or functionaries at district/block/panchayat level haven’t received a single penny for last 10 months, endangering the livelihoods of many and encouraging migration of many.

The policy-makers must be appreciated for a transformational and splendid job in mode of payment of the beneficiaries. Starting from Post-Offices to Bank A/c to electronic Fund Management System (e-FMS), the scheme and its beneficiaries especially have witnessed and faced a lot to receive the wages they deserve for the work they do. Ranging from weekly to monthly to semi-annually wage payment, the beneficiaries (unskilled labour force) can’t be expected to stop migrating to Punjab, Haryana and Delhi for better and timely paid works. What makes it worse is the corrupt practices of the dominant Functionaries especially at Panchayat level (Mukhiya/Sarpanch/PRS etc.).

But even after all above negatives of the scheme in monetary matters, one can’t deny the fact that the bargaining power of these labourers-cum-MGNREGS beneficiaries have increased significantly. The labour who was earlier forced to work for Rs.80-100 now easily asks for Rs.180-200, a jump of more than 100% is the direct outcome of the scheme. Checking Absolute Migration has been difficult due to above stated reasons but relatively lowered. Earlier, they migrated in non-farming months only and used to grow crops in kharif/rabi seasons back at home. But now apart from these months, they also work here in MGNREGS season (post-rainy season).

Thus, the 3^rd “F” i.e Funds and heneceforth the scheme has witnessed the dawn, dusk and dawn (of next day). As a fellow working at the grassroots level and numerous others sincerely expect that the scheme no longer faces dusk. The intensity of day-light gets increased with time via creation of sustainable assets for rural development.

The conclusion of the article is left for its readers to frame and put in comments section below. Through this article, I have attempted to explain this scheme’s ground realities and issues via 3 F’s not in an academic (for publishing in Yojana etc.) but in a common day-to-day lingua. I would be privileged to know the experiences of yours regarding rural development in general and this scheme in specific. Sorry for making it a bit technical but have tried my level best to make it understandable for all, in case if still clarifications are needed, please comment. The essence of the blog is expected to be comprehended and reach to ALL.  

Rural Development is more than just providing schemes, but equipping the rural population with what they need (as per their own requirements). It’s a process of societal development and transformation.

"मनरेगा नहीं मरेगा " The past, present and future lies in India's villages, so आगे बढ़ो और गाँव के समृद्ध भविष्य का हिस्सा बनो।  वो दिन दूर नहीं जब गाँव हमसे यह सवाल पूछेगा कि क्या हमने अपने फर्ज़ का निर्वाह किया। सोचो और आगे बढ़ो।