The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), a crucial rural lifeline, is showing worrying signs of distress in Andhra Pradesh. Recent data reveals a sharp and significant decline in employment provided under the scheme, raising concerns about the social safety net for millions of vulnerable citizens.
For decades, the promise of 100 days of guaranteed wage employment has provided a vital buffer for landless labourers and small farmers. However, the once-bustling worksites across Andhra Pradesh are now reporting a fraction of their usual activity, undermining a key tool for poverty alleviation.
The Scale of the Decline in Andhra Pradesh
According to figures from rural development experts, the number of person-days of work generated under MGNREGS in the current financial year has plummeted compared to the previous year. This steep fall is even more stark when compared to the peak demand seen during the pandemic, alarming activists and potential beneficiaries who depend on the scheme for their livelihood.
What’s Driving the Alarming Trend?
The reasons for this sharp fall in MGNREGS employment in Andhra Pradesh appear to be multi-faceted, stemming from a combination of technological hurdles, administrative apathy, and a potential shift in governmental priorities.
Technological Hurdles: The NMMS App Problem
One of the most cited culprits is the mandatory implementation of the National Mobile Monitoring System (NMMS), an app-based attendance system. While intended to increase transparency, its real-world application has been fraught with problems. In remote villages with patchy internet connectivity, the need for a smartphone to log real-time, geotagged attendance is a daily struggle. Many workers report losing a day’s wage simply because the technology failed, discouraging them from seeking work under the scheme.
A Shift in Government Priorities?
Critics also point towards a possible shift in the state government’s focus towards direct benefit transfer (DBT) schemes. While direct cash support is essential, it cannot substitute an employment guarantee. MGNREGS is a legal right to work that empowers individuals and boosts the local economy. An over-reliance on handouts at the expense of ‘workfare’ programmes could have long-term negative consequences on rural self-sufficiency.
The Persistent Issue of Delayed Wages
The perennial issue of delayed wage payments continues to plague the scheme. When workers must wait weeks or months for their earnings, it defeats the purpose of MGNREGS as an immediate income source. This uncertainty pushes them towards exploitative private work or migration to urban centres.
The Human Cost of Reduced Employment
The impact of this decline is immense, especially in drought-prone regions like Rayalaseema and the tribal belts. The loss of MGNREGS income can mean cutting back on nutrition, pulling children out of school, or falling into debt. It threatens to undo years of progress in poverty reduction across Andhra Pradesh.
A Critical Wake-Up Call
The situation in Andhra Pradesh serves as an urgent call to action. Policymakers must address these implementation bottlenecks by simplifying technology, ensuring a timely flow of funds, and reaffirming their commitment to this landmark scheme. As a vital economic shock absorber, letting MGNREGS wither away is a risk the state cannot afford.
