Reflections on a Jan Sunwai on MGNREGA

Airing grievances and raising issues regarding the implementation of MGNREGA, the stakeholders utilize the forum of the jan Sunwai to come face-to-face with each other on a single platform to discuss and learn about the shortcomings and problems that each of them face.

O n 29 December 2009, I happened to witness a Jan Sunwai (public hearing) in the nature of a social audit conducted by Jean Drèze and his team of students in Siladon panchayat in Khunti district. Jean Drèze is an Indian development economist of Belgian origin. He is currently Professor at the G.B. Pant Social Science Institute, Allahabad, and honorary Professor, Delhi School of Economics. He is a member of the National Advisory Council of India.

This is a brief report on the event and my thoughts thereafter. John Drèze and his co-worker, Reetika Khera, were in Khunti reviewing the implementation of the MGNREGS programme. They had a team of young college students/graduates to assist them in this. These students were also assisting villagers through the NREGA Sahayata Kendra (NREGA Assistance Centre), located at the district headquarters. This report is adapted from the official minutes of this event, recorded by NREGA Sahayata Kendra.

John Drèze and the NREGA Sahayata Kendra in Khunti organized a Jan Sunwai to discuss NREGA-related issues in Siladon gram panchayat. It was attended by Amaresh Sinha (Block Programme Officer, Khunti), the Block Statistical Officer and the Block Supply Officer (BSO). Gram panchayat officials—Fateh Narayan Singh (Junior Engineer), Manga Ram (Panchayat Sewak) and Manoj (Gram Rozgar Sewak)— were also present. The meeting was also attended by Balram, Commissioner of Food Security for the state, appointed by the Supreme Court and a few media persons.