,,,, Controlling,Corruption,in,Public,Works,Safety,Nets,

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1 PTFWorkingPaperSeries No.6/2014 ControllingCorruptioninPublicWorksSafetyNets ByPremGargandA.EdwardElmendorf SupportingCitizensAgainstCorruption 1

2 AboutthePTFWorkingPaperSeries ThePTFWorkingPaperSeriesconnectsCitizensandCivilSocietyOrganizationsaroundthe worldwithknowledgeexperienceandhowhtoadviceonantihcorruptioninterventionstools andmethodology.eachpaperiswrittenbyexperiencedandrecognizedexpertsintheirfield. Theexplicitfocusistobridgetheoryandpracticeprovidingasetofpossiblesolutionsorentry pointstoanarrayofchallengesfrequentlyfacedbycsos.mostpapersdrawexamplesfrom internationalbestpracticetheuniverseofptfhfundedantihcorruptioninterventionsoraddress issueswitharegionalfocus.whilenotprescribinganyonemodelforsuccesstheptfworking PaperSeriesaimsatsharinganddisseminatingknowledgeinvitingCSOsandindividualstotest commentandfurtherdiscuss. ThePartnershipforTransparencyFund(PTF)supportscitizensandcivilsocietyorganizations aroundtheworldintheirfightagainstcorruption.ptfprovidessmallhscalegrantsandprohbono technicalassistancethroughhighlyexperiencedandspecializedvolunteerprojectadvisors. Authors PremGargandA.EdwardElmendorfareProjectAdvisersatthePartnershipforTransparency Fund(PTF). SupportingCitizensAgainstCorruption 2

3 Abstract ManygovernmentssupportpublicallyHfundedruralworksprogramstoprovidesafetynetsfor theruralpoorandtodeploytheunderusedlaborproductively.theprogramsaimtobuild and/ormaintainsimpleinfrastructuresuchasruralroadsirrigationanddrainageworks addingtothecountry sproductivecapacityandprovidingmuchneededemploymenttothe ruralpoor.itisestimatedthatdevelopingcountriesspendover10billiondollarsayearonsuch programsaimingtobenefitover100millionpoor. Therapidexpansionofruralworksprogramshasincreasedtheirimportanceassocialsafetynet instrumentsimplyingtheneedforincreasedattentiontotheirefficiencyandeffectiveness. Becauseoftheirdecentralizednaturewithactivitiesscatteredoverthousandsofoftenremote worksitesandwithmostpotentialbeneficiariesnotusedtodealingwithgovernment bureaucraciesfraudandcorruptionareoftenamajorriskinsuchprograms. PTFprojectsandactivitiescombatingcorruptioninruralworksprogramshavebeen concentratedinindia.ptfhasprovidednearly$320000intengrantstofiveseparatecsosfor projectsaimedatcorruptioninindianruralworksprograms.inadditionptfhasprovided $166000in7grantstoaddresscorruptioninjointruralemploymentandfooddistribution (PDS)projects.Theseprojectsoftenincludetrainingprogramscoveringsocialauditspublic hearingtechniquescommunityscorecardsandindia srighthtohinformation(rti)lawandits application. PTFhasachievedremarkablelocalHlevelresultsaddressingcorruptionintheMahatmaGandhi NationalRuralEmploymentGuaranteeScheme(MGNREGS)programinIndia.Thispaper reviewsthisexperienceandmakesrecommendationsforfutureaction. SupportingCitizensAgainstCorruption 3

4 SupportingCitizensAgainstCorruption 4 Contents 1.Introduction 5 2.TheRoleofPTFinCombatingCorruptioninRuralWorks 6 3.Results:SomePTFAchievements 9 4.LookingtotheFuture 10 Annex:PTFProjectstoReduceCorruptioninRuralWorks 11

5 1.Introduction:TheImportanceofPublicWorksEmploymentPrograms Forpoorpeoplelaborisoftentheironlysignificanteconomicasset.Theabilitytodeploytheir laborremunerativelyiscriticaltotheirwellhbeing.unfortunatelythedemandforlabor especiallyinruralareasofmanydevelopingcountriesfluctuatessubstantiallyduetothe seasonalnatureofagriculture themaineconomicactivityinthoseareas.therelatedpatterns ofunemploymentandunderhemploymentnotonlymeanawasteofpotentialeconomic resourcesbutalsoexposethepoortomalnutritionandextremehardships.toprovidesafety netsfortheruralpoorandtodeploytheunderusedlaborproductivelymanygovernments supportpublicallyhfundedruralworks programs.usinglaborhintensive techniquestheprogramsaimtobuild and/ormaintainsimpleinfrastructure suchasruralroadsirrigationand drainageworks addingtothe country sproductivecapacityand providingmuchneededemploymentto theruralpoor.morerecentlymany governmentshavealsousedpublic worksprogramstohelpcopewithone timeshocks(e.g.droughts)aswellas tosupportreconciliationeffortsinthe aftermathofcivilwarsandethnicstrife. A"public"works"program"in"Orissa"India."Image"by"Suraksha." Publicworkssafetynetsmaybefoundindevelopingandtransitioncountriesinlowandmiddle incomecountriesandinfragileandwellhestablishedstates.programsexistinallregionsand legalandinstitutionalsystems.arecentworldbankreviewofpublicworksprogramsfound77 suchprogramsin62countriesoverthepasttwodecades.basedonpartialdataavailableitis estimatedthatcurrentlythedevelopingcountriesspendover10billiondollarsayearonsuch programsaimingtobenefitover100millionpoor.insomeregions(e.g.southasia)the programsareexpectedtoreachover10%oftheeconomicallyactivepopulation.theworld Bankreviewconcludedthat theuseofpublicworksisexpandingandtheyhaveemergedasan essentialpartofthesocialprotectiontoolkittorespondtorisksandpersistentpoverty. ThemostnoteworthyruralworksemploymentschemeistheMahatmaGandhiNationalRural EmploymentGuaranteescheme(MGNREGS)inIndiawithannualoutlaysinexcessofUS$7 billion.othermajorprogramsincludethepnpmprograminindonesia(us$1.5billion)the PSNPPrograminEthiopia(US$300million)andtheKKVPPrograminKenya(US$197million).In IndiatheMGNREGSapprovedbytheIndianParliamentin2005isavailableto56million householdsproviding100daysofemploymentannuallyupondemand.theethiopiaprogram establishedin2004helped7.6millionpeoplewithin5years.inlatviafollowingthe2008 financialcrisisthegovernmentspentabout$80millionovertwoyearsona Workplaceswith StipendEmergencyPublicWorksProgram. SupportingCitizensAgainstCorruption 5

6 Therapidexpansionofruralworks programsandtheirimportanceas socialsafetynetinstrumentshave impliedaneedforincreasing attentiontotheefficiencyand effectivenessoftheresources devotedtotheseprograms.because ofthedecentralizednatureofthese programswithactivitiesscattered overthousandsofoftenremotework sitesandwithmostpotential beneficiariesnotusedtodealingwith governmentbureaucraciesfraudand corruptionareoftenamajorrisk. Potentialavenuesforfraudand corruptionintheseprogramsinclude: National"Rural"Employment"Guarantee"Act"(NREGA)"entitlement" holders"seeking"to"gain"corruptionbfree"work."image"by"suraksha." Favoritisminbeneficiaryselection(politicallyinfluencedordrivenbyconsiderations suchascastestatusbribesetc.)leadingtobenefitscapturedbyundeserving peoplewhiledenyingthemtothemostneedy; Leakageofprogramresources(e.g.actualwagepaymentslowerthanthose mandatedundertheprogramsorreportingahighernumberofworkersthan actuallyemployed( ghost workers)); FavoritisminsubHprojectselectionwithbenefitscapturedbytherichand/orpoor technicaldesigns; InadequateoversightduringimplementationleadingtosubHstandardworks;and Extortionofbribesfortimelyreleaseofwagepaymentstotheworkers. Reliableglobaldataontheprevalenceoffraudandcorruptioninruralworksprogramsarenot available.anecdotaldatasuggestthatinmanycasestheleakagestendtobequitelarge.in India smgnregsprogramforexamplemanyobserversbelievethatbetweenaquarterand twohthirdsofthetotalresourcesdevotedtotheprogramaremisappropriatedand/orwasted. 2.TheRoleofPTFinCombatingCorruptioninRuralWorks afocusonindia PTFprojectsandactivitiescombatingcorruptioninruralworksprogramshavenotsurprisingly beenconcentratedinindia.ptfhasprovidednearly$320000intengrantstofiveseparate CSOsforprojectsaimedatcorruptioninIndianruralworksprograms.InadditionPTFhas provided$166000in7grantstoaddresscorruptioninjointruralemploymentandfood distribution(pds)projects.projectcompletionreportshavebeenpreparedfortheseprojects andanumberhavehadexternalevaluations. SupportingCitizensAgainstCorruption 6

7 PTFprojectshavetypicallyincludedcapacitybuildingsupporttoCSOsandotherlocalbodies particularlyintheareasofinformationeducationandcommunication(iec).social accountabilitypracticedlocallyisanessentialelementoftheptfapproach.overalltheptf projectsfocuson: Communityengagementandempowermenttoincreaseawarenessofrelevant governmentlawsandregulationsanduseoftoolslikerti; Constructiveengagementwiththepublicauthoritiesincludingtheelected representativesaswellastheconcernedgovernmentofficialsatvillagegpand blocklevelsaswellaswiththelocalmediapersonalitiescbos/ngosandtheir networks;and Peerlearningandknowledgesharingtodevelopcapacity. IntheearlystagesPTFprojectshavegiven particularattentiontoincreasingawareness andunderstandingofthemgnregs programbybeneficiariesandtothe establishmentofbaselinesurveysofscheme beneficiaries.thesesurveysinturnhave formedthebasisfordatahbasedadvocacy anddialoguewithpublicofficials.in Rajasthanforexamplea GroundRealities andcorruptionvulnerabilitysurvey was conductedwith600schemebeneficiaries engagingaconsortiumofcitizensgroups againstcorruption.itrevealedthatevery beneficiaryofmgnregswaspayingbribesto Community"capacity"building."Image"by"Suraska." obtainbenefits.thesefindingsformedthebasisforevidencehbasedadvocacyanddialogue withhighofficialsoftheconcernedruraldevelopmentdepartment. InsomecaseswhatusedtobeastrainedrelationshipbetweenDistrictHlevelofficialsand communitiesintheallocationofemergencyworkandtheselectionofpublicworkprojectsin themgnregsschemehasbeenturnedintoapositiverelationshipwiththeauthorities trustingthecommunitiesthemselvestoselecttheprojectsandallocatethework.thisisawinh winforallconcernedexceptforthecrookedengineersandotherswhopreviouslybenefitedby holdingboththereinsandthepursehstringsinthesepublicworksschemes. PTF sworkcombatingcorruptioninruralworksinindiadependscriticallyonapositiveexternal environment.inindiathisenvironmentincludes: Freedom"of"association:CSOformationandoperationinIndiaarefundamentaltothe workingofitsdemocracy. SupportingCitizensAgainstCorruption 7

8 Official"openness:"ThePTFapproachonlyworksifkeyofficialsorelected representativesarepreparedtoengagewithcsosandifitisrelativelyeasytoaccess theofficialinformationneededtoprobeaccountabilitysuchasundertheapplicationof increasinglywidespreadrighttoinformationlaws.ofcoursethisopennessmaygrow overtimeastrustiscreatedandconfidencereplacesconfrontation. Freedom"of"the"press:AnimportantweaponofsocialaccountabilityisforCSOstobe abletoplaceprominentstoriesinthemediaandcooperatewithjournalistsespecially wherethegovernmentresistsconstructiveengagementorfacinguptowellh substantiatedallegations. WomenhaveprovedtobecriticaltoPTF ssuccessesincombatingcorruptioninruralworksin India.MostoftheCBOsthatPTF sindianpartnersworkwitharewomen sgroupsorare dominatedbywomen.thisispartlyoutofequityconsiderationsandpartlybecausethewomen areusuallyinandaroundthevillages whilethemenoftentravelfarforwork.in oneareaofindiatheptfevaluation foundthatwomen sgroupssupportedby PTFhaveforcedofficialstoberespectful andthatmgnregsbeneficiarieshave evengotmorethantheir100daywork entitlement.theyhavewontherightto choosethepublicworksprojects themselvessubjecttoapprovalbythe districtengineers.determinedadvocacy bythewomenhaschangedtheir relationshipwithdutyhbearers.having seenwhatthesewomen sgroupshave achievedhasearnedconsiderablerespect Community"mobilization"by"a"local"women s"organization"b"nava" fromthemen.thishasfurtherincreased Jeevana"Mahila"Okkoota"(NJMO)."Image"by"NJMO." theconfidenceofthewomenactivists. Thishasgiventhemthecouragetotackleotherissuesthataffectwomendeeply. TheMGNREGSprogramisthesubjectofpublicdebateandcontroversyinIndiaparticularlybut notexclusivelyarounditsefficiencyandcostheffectiveness.thenewindiangovernmentunder PrimeMinisterModiisfacingpublicpressuretoreduceoreliminatesubsidiesforthe MGNREGSprograminitsnewbudgetandtherearepubliccallsforgreateraccountabilityand increasingfocusonsupportingsustainableinvestmentsratherthanjustemploymentandfor greaterfocusonthepoor.thecentrallysponsoredsubsidyschemeslikethepublicfood distributionprogramareprimetargetsbecausecriticsarguetheyareadministeredbylocal governmentsbutpaidforbythecentralgovernmentandsotheoversightisweak.however whencommunitiesareempoweredtoprovidetheirownoversightmechanisms ashasbeen doneunderptfprojectshleakagecanbestemmed.forverypoorpeopletheruralworks programandthepublicfooddistribution(pds)programarevitallifelines. SupportingCitizensAgainstCorruption 8

9 AnotherareaofcontroversyconcernstheIndianRighttoInformationLaw.TheIndianSupreme CourthasruledthatallcentralandstatecommissionsexaminingRighttoInformation(RTI) requests whichformessentialelementsofptfprojectsinindiahmustworkinbenchesoftwo memberseachoneofwhommustbealawyerwithjudicialexperience.rtiadvocatesfearthat therulingcouldhampertheworkofthecommissions. 3.Results:SomePTFAchievements As detailed in the Annex PTF has achieved remarkable localhlevel results addressing corruption in the MGNREGS programinindia.insouthindiathefinal evaluation of a package of PTF projects supported by the British international development agency DFID calculated that $11 of benefits accrue in the shape of improved services accrue to poor people for every $1 PTF grants to its partners. In addition the evaluation found other less quantifiable benefits such as empowerment of women and tribal groups and greater awareness of Job"card"holders"demanding"NREGS"work."Image"by"Visionaries"of" Creative"Action"for"Liberation"&"Progress"(VICALP)." entitlements. In Karnataka it is estimated that through grants of just $219000overa3yearperiodfourPTFpartnershavesecuredbenefitsworth$2.4millionper yeartopoorpeopleandhavegreatlyreducedlosses(estimatedat30h50%overall)intherural worksschemes.thishasresultedinaverysubstantialimprovementinthelivingconditionsof some48000families(270000people). SocialwatchcommitteesandotherformsoflocalantiHcorruptionbodiessupportedbyPTFhave contributeddirectlytoreductionofcorruption.inselectgrampanchayatsinbalangirdistrictof Orissa85%ofMGNREGSworkwasconductedwithouttheuseofmachinesand850fakejob cards H two frequent abuses H were identified as a result of the myriad initiatives of the local antihcorruption committees. In Mohana Block of Gajapati district the efforts of Vikalp an IndianNGOwhichtraditionallyworkswiththedowntroddenledtothesubmissionof29new job demands by 3560 citizens from 68 villages resulting in new MGNREGS projects that providedemploymentto2991citizens.theamountofwageswasalsoincreasedbyover100 percent.theactiveinvolvementofmembersofasocialwatchgroupwasimportanttorelease ofjobcardsto274citizensandpaymentsfor173worksunderaptfcitizensagainstcorruption projectexecutedbythelocalngosambandhinjashipur(orissa). SupportingCitizensAgainstCorruption 9

10 4.LookingtotheFuture The demanding nature of institutional change in the culture of programs such as the Indian MGNREGS means that two or three years of PTF support are rarely sufficient for longhterm change.furthermorethevastsizeofindiaandthegrowingimportanceofpublicemployment programsinotherdevelopingandtransitioncountriesimplyagreatandcontinuingneedfor thekindsofactivitiessupportedbyptf.tosupportactivitiesalongthelinesofthesuccessful projects in India and to make them sustainable on a larger scale PTF can work with governmentsatthenationalandstatelevelswithindividualbilateralandmultilateraldonors aswellasinotherformsofpartnershipwithprivatefirmsandfoundations. Moving beyond the local level with new funding PTF could seek to develop more synergy betweengrassrootsactivitiesandnationalhleveladvocacybyencouragingandhelpingpartners toconnectwithnationalorsubhnationalpolicynetworkstosharetheirexperienceproactively and to use PTF s own web of contacts to connect partners with research centers national advocacy groups reformhminded officials etc. who could make good use of their grassroots experiences. To mention but one example the national People s Right to Employment Campaign(PREG)meritsincreasedsupport. SupportingCitizensAgainstCorruption 10

11 SupportingCitizensAgainstCorruption 11 Annex:PTFPROJECTSTOREDUCECORRUPTIONINRURALWORKS I. PUBLICEMPLOYMENTPROJECTS Project Name PTF Project No. Location PTF Grant(s) (US$) NameofCSO ProjectObjectivesandResults Corruptionin Implementat ionof MGNREGSin Uttarakhand (RLEK?Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra1&2) Uttarakhand India $32000 $35000 Total: $67000 RLEK Rural& Litigation& and& Entitlement& Kendra& Objectives(Phases1and2fromPCA):Toincreaseawarenessand understandingofmgnregsandrtiandtodevelopcommunity institutionsandmethodsformonitoringtheimplementationof MGNREGS.Theprojecthopedtoensuretransparentandfair implementationofthemgnregssensitizationofthecommunity abouttheprovisionsundertheactanditsfunctioningandcontinued monitoringbythecommunityinordertoensuretransparencyinthe working.theprojectobjectivesalsoaimedtoensurethatalleligible excludedfamiliesoftheprojectblocksgetjobcardsattheendofthe projectperiod. Results:Inaveryinaccessibleareathecommunityhas80RTI applicationsinphase1;thisledtosuccessfulworkdemandsunder MGNREGA.WorkunderMGNREGAhasbeguninsomeGram Panchayatswherenoworkwasallocatedearlier.35percentofthe eligibleexcludedfamiliesgotjobcards40percentofworkersreceived fullstipulatedwagesundermgnregs80percentofjobcardholders participatedactivelyinmeetingsanddiscussionswithpublic institutions.jansunwaiwasheldinsomevillagesinthepresenceof thepanchayatdevelopmentofficeranddevelopmentplanningofficer formgnregaintheprojectarea.12rass(rozgaradhikarsararka Samiti)groupshavebeenformedandempowerpeopletoactasa watchdogandreportoncorruptioninnrega.thecsoteamlearned toengagewithgovernmentofficialsandthemediaandheld6public

12 Contributing towards Corruption Freeand Transparent Service Deliveryin MGNREGS throughcivic Engagement 109 Jaipurand Tonk Districts Rajasthan India $36000 $ $ Total: $91000 CUTS? Consumer& Unity&and& Trust&Society hearings. Objectives(from2013PCA)ofthethreephases: 1) Generatingawarenessandencouragingcommoncitizenstoapply thertiactasatooltoaddresscorruptpractices. 2) EmpoweringCSOsandvulnerablegrassrootspopulationstocurb corruptpracticesbyimprovingfunctioningofexisting accountabilitymechanismsandlegalmeasures. 3) Advocatingwiththepolicymakersformakingspecifictoolssuchas thertiactcitizenchartersandthelokayukta(ombudsmen)act effective. 4) Includingtargetedandidentifiedeligibleentitlementholdersof selectedblocksofjaipurandtonkdistrictsinmgnregsand ensuringthattheygetallthemgnregsguaranteeddaysof employmentwagesallowancesandfacilitiesattheworksites. 5) Ensuringeffectiveparticipationoftargetedandidentified entitlementholdersinmgnregsidentificationplanning monitoringandevaluation. Results:Anetworkoftrained&resourcefulaConsortiumofGroupsfor CombattingCoruption(CGCCs)CSOsandotherinterestedindividuals workingtogetherfortransparencyandaccountabilityinjaipurand Tonkdistricts;communityincreaseduseofRTI.The RTIGround RealitiesandCorruptionVulnerabilitySurvey conductedwith600 schemebeneficiariesengagingthecgccsrevealedthatevery beneficiaryofnregswaspayingbribestoobtainbenefits.these findingsformedthebasisforevidence?basedadvocacyand constructiveandcontinueddialoguewithhighofficialsofthe concernedruraldevelopmentdepartment.asanoutcomeone 1 Feb2011PCR 2 ThirdphasePCAJune SupportingCitizensAgainstCorruption 12

13 SupportingCitizensAgainstCorruption 13 visitingofficialpassedanorderdownthelineinallgrampanchayats andblockdevelopmentofficestohaveacomplaint?cum?suggestion boxfixedatsomeprominentplace.morethan90peoplefiledatotal of450rtiapplicationsoncorruption.thertiapplicationswereneed? basedrepresentedburningissuesamongbeneficiariesandwerefiled individuallybutsupportedcollectively. Checking Corruption byruralcall Centreand SocialWatch Groups SAMBANDH 1& OrissaIndia $35000 $35000 Total: $70000 SAMBANDH Objectives(fromPCAreport):(1)RuralCallCenterinJashipurblock established(phase1)andexpanded(phase2)withinformation availableondemand(throughlinkageswithgovernmentdepartments) fortrackingpublicservicedeliveryaswellasprovidingmarket informationandproducer supplierdatabaseforestablishingmarket linkages;toensurejobcardsforalleligibleexcludedhouseholdsin PhaseI(95percent)andPhaseII(90percent)respectivelywith100 daysofworktoallthecardholders (2)Visibletrackingsystempanchayatlevelfordeliveryofquality servicesfocusingonhealtheducationandlivelihoodinplacewitha vibrantwatchgroupsinoneblock. (3)SpecificcapacitybuildingmodulesandIECmaterialsdevelopedand widelydisseminatedforthesocialwatchprocess;communities empoweredtoraisegrievancesforgreatertransparencyand accountability. Results:Ruralcallcentrefullyfunctional?functioningproperlyand managedbyanentrepreneurrunningsuccessfullyinsustainable manner;iecmaterialdistributed;95%ofeligiblehouseholdsin Jashipurreceivedtheirjobcardsand90%inKaranjia.Onaverage targetedpopulationreceived70daysofwork.allworkersreceived theirfullwageswithin15?30days.falseentryinjobcardshavetotally stoppedin4modelgps.workdemandedbyjobcardholderhasbeen givenontime65%getfullwagesthewagerateisthesameforboth

14 SupportingCitizensAgainstCorruption 14 thesexesin4modelgps;delayedwagepaymentsgivento173job cardholders. Reduce corruptionin MGNREGS throughrti SURAKSHA Phase1 115 Gajapati District OrissaIndia $35000 SURAKSHA? Society&for& Integrated& Voluntary& Action&and& Services? Objectives(fromPCR):Toinitiatestepstowardcitizen?responsiveand transparentnon?corruptgovernancethroughactivecivicvigilance monitoringofpublicservicesandactionagainstcorruption;toensure non?corruptimplementationofnregathroughexposingcorrupt practicesandempoweringcommunitytodemandtheirrightsand monitorimplementationin19gps;andtoincreaseawarenessofpoor governanceandpoorimplementationofgovernmentschemesthrough aproactivemediaprograminvestigativereportingandsocialaudits. Results(fromPCRandCSOself?assessment):(a)Achieved40%success increatingcitizenresponsivetransparentnon?corruptgovernancein publicservices;(b)recoveredmorethanrs incorrupt practicesinnregs&morethanrs indelayedpayment&non? paymentissues;(c)awarenesslevelofjobcardholdershasgoneup morethan60%100%ofjobcardholdersworkedin2012?2013;(d)356 People'sSocialOrganizationMembershavebeencapacitatedandare orientingthepeopleof79villagesonprovisionsofmgnregs;(d)53 RTIapplicationsfiled34casesresolvedattheblocklevel. Reduce corruptionin implementat ionof MGNREGS Orissa VICALP1and OrissaIndia $20900 $34986 Total: $55886 VICALP? Visionaries&of& Creative& Action&for& Liberation&&& Progress Objectives(fromPCRassessmentbyCAC):Toincludealleligible excludedfamiliesof54selectedvillages;toensurethatalljobcards haveatleast80daysofworkperyearwiththefullstipulatedwages andotherentitlementsinthe54villages;toensureparticipationofat least50%ofthepeople(ofthe54villages)atallstages(planning implementationmonitoringandevaluation)ofthemgnregsschemes andpositivelyinfluencepoliciesanddecisionmakingonissuesrelating tomgnregs;topromotecitizencorruptionmonitoringthroughsocial

15 watchcommitteesgoodgovernance(intermsoftransparency accountabilityresponsivenessefficiencyeffectivenessequityand abidingtheruleoflaw)ofgovernmentagenciesandlocalinstitutions relatingtomgnregs;andtocarryoutdistrictlevelcbos/ngopolicy advocacyrelatingtomgnregs. Results:VICALPhasastrongpeople sbasein200villages.1031leaders weretrainedonnregsandrti.826leadersareactiveofwhom around10%(80)leadersareactivelydoingnregsmonitoring.120 casesofirregularitieswereidentifiedanddiscussedofwhich55were filedthroughrti;25weresolved.12socialwatchcommittees(swc) wereformedin12targetpanchayatsconsisting7(4menand3women leaders)socialwatchvolunteers(swv)ineachswcineach Panchayatwithatotalof84SWVs.98Governmentofficialswere directlyinteractedbythepeoplethroughpanchayatlevelmeetingsand inothereventsliketrainingandnregsevaluation.390eligible excludedfamiliesfrom54villagesgotjobcards;beneficiariesgottheir wagesthroughbank/postofficewithinthestipulatedperiodof7?15 daystrainedleaderssocialwatchvolunteersandvillagenregs vigilancecommitteesmonitornregsactivities.98%oftotaltargeted householdhavejobcards100%jobcardholdershaveaccountsintheir nameinthebanks/postofficesandarepaidbycheck.74jobdemands wereputand74newnregsprojectsweresanctioned. Results(top3fromPCRassessment):390eligibleexcludedfamilies from54villagesgotjobcards;beneficiariesgottheirwagesthrough bank/postofficewithinthestipulatedperiodof7?15days;in94new MGNREGSworksitestheworkersavailedshadedrinkingwaterchild carefirst?aidworkassignmentincloserdistanceequipment allowancesanddisplayboardinthework?site. SupportingCitizensAgainstCorruption 15

16 SupportingCitizensAgainstCorruption 16 II. JOINTRURALEMPLOYMENT/FOODDISTRIBUTIONPROJECTS Reduce Corruptionin MGNREGS& PDSin12 Panchayats 183 Gajapati Odisha India $31500 SURAKSHA? Society&for& Integrated& Voluntary& Action&and& Services& (PhaseII) Objectives(fromphase2PCR):Toensureatleast65%oftheeligibleexcluded familiesgetjobcardsandatleast85daysofworkperyear(outofthestipulated 100days);toempowerandcapacitatepeopleabouttheirentitlementsvis?à?vis MGMGNREGS;topromotegoodgovernancerelatingMGMGNREGS;andto reducecorruptioninpds.(note:phaseididnotdealwithpds) Results(ruralemploymentonly):2417familieswereidentifiedorientedonthe provisionsofmgnregsandsupportedtogetjobcardsbyfilingapplicationsand constantfollow?upbyinteractingwiththeconcernedgovernmentofficials.asa resultbytheendoftheprojectperiodallthe2417familieswereincludedunder MGNREGSwithoutgettingentangledinanycorruptpractices;2306familiesof 121villagesgotjobcardsbyMarch2012. Reductionof Corruptionin MGNREGS &PDS Nuagad Block Odisha India $18977 $19259 Total: $38236 PREM People s& Rural& Education& Movement Objective:Toreducecorruptactivitiesbylocalgovernmentemployeesand functionariesinkeypublicserviceprovisionthroughdirectmonitoringand exposureofcorruptactivity. DuringPhase1itwasseenthatcorruptioningeneralandespeciallyinMGNREGS wasagiganticissueandneededdetailedinterventiontobringabout accountabilityandtransparencyinthewholesystem.whileworkinginphase1it wasalsorealisedthatpdsisalsoaffectedbytheclutchesofdeep?rooted corruptionintheblock.asaresultphase2ofthecacprojectwasdesignedto addressbothmgnregsaswellaspds. Results(ruralemploymentonly):During2012?201396percentofhousehold weremadefullyawareoftheirrightsandentitlementsinmgnregs;16citizen groupswereformedandstrengthenedincluding6monitoringandvigilance committeesin15gpsofboththeblocksformonitoringmgnregsservices.3

17 SupportingCitizensAgainstCorruption 17 publichearingmeetings22socialaudits8activitiesrelatedtoconstructive engagement2mediaengagementactivitiesandsubmissionof2memorandums bythecommunity. Citizens Against Corruption Raichur Karnataka India $26000 $34867 Total: $60867 NJMO? Nava& Jeevana& Mahila& Okkoota& (Prerana)& Objectives(ruralemploymentonly):Reducecorruptioninbasicservicesand schemesforthepoorespeciallyinfoodsecurityprogramsprimaryhealth centersatthegrampanchayatlevelandimprovegovernance;ensurethatat least50%ofthe10000familiesfrom100villagesget100daysofworkin MGNREGSinonefinancialyear(2011?12);ensurethatalltheworkersunder MGNREGSinthe100villagesgettheirstipulatedwages;enhancecapacitiesof thecommunitytoensureproperandeffectivefunctioningofthenregs;and bringinchangesrequiredatdistrictstateandnationallevelstoreduce corruptioninmgnregs. Results:(ruralemploymentonly):6.NJMOhasbeensuccessfulinestablishing itselfasastrongcommunitybasedorganizationstandingfortherightsofthe marginalized.asaresultthecommunityiswellorganizedandawareoftheir rightsandentitlements.njmohasbeenabletoinfluencelocalgovernment officialsandhasgoodrapport.socialauditshavebeenundertakenin50 panchayatsthecitizenreportcardhasbeenpublishedandthegrievance RedressalSystemhasbeenestablishedforNREGSandPDS.60%oftargetvillage employmentinmgnregswasachieved;allworkersreceivedtheirwagesand communitycapacityisincreasingwithestablishmentofelectronicfundtransfer beneficiaryaccounts. Reducing corruptionin MGNREGS andpdsin Loisingha block Bolangir Orissa India $11675: $24000 Total: $35675 ADHAR Objectives.Duringthefirstphasethestatusofcorruptionandirregularitiesin MGNREGSandPDSwereanalyzed.Itwasfoundthatinthetwomajorpoverty alleviationprogramsofthegovt.aretotallydefunctinall8gpsconcerned.the mainreasonsbehinditwerelackofinformationandknowledgeamong beneficiariesnon?resistanceagainstdiscrepanciesandthegreedyattitudeof dutybearers.sotheinitialactivitieswerefocusedonpromotingand

18 strengtheningcommunityactiontoreducecorruptioninthemgnregsandpds throughacitizencampaign. Ruralemploymentobjectives:Toensurethatallthe900eligibleexcluded familiesofthe48villagesofloisinghablockofbolangirdistrictoforissagettheir MGNREGSjobcardsontime;toensurethatalljobcardholdersgettheir stipulateddaysofwork(100daysperyear)wages(rs.120perday)andother MGNREGSentitlementsontime;toenhancethecapacityandparticipationof peopleatallstagesofmgnregsin48villagesandensuregoodgovernancein MGNREGSinBalangirdistrict. Results:Anti?corruptioncommittees(gramyadurnitinibaranamanch)formedin 48villageswithactivemembershipofMGNREGAandPDSbeneficiariesandanti? corruptioncommitteesformedatgplevelin8gpsandtakingcollectiveactionin monitoringandaddressingdiscrepancies.citizenreportcarddevelopedand distributedrtiusedtomakeofficialsaccountable. Ruralemploymentresults:Outofthe900eligiblehouseholds855households gotjobcardsin48villages;7970jobcardholderfamiliesdemandedjobsand193 familiesgotthefull100daysofwork.all4800cardholdersreceivedstipulated wages.5680cardholderfamiliesworkingundermgnregsgottheirprescribed wagesontime. SupportingCitizensAgainstCorruption 18