Poverty schemes falling flat: Report

Bribes are still being demanded for making Below Poverty Line (BPL) ration cards and most states are not using even 50 per cent of the grain allotments under the largest employment programme of the country — the Sampoorna Gramin Rozgaar Yojana (SGRY).

According to the report, there has been some positive development in Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh in providing mid-day meals following Court directions in May last year.

Karnataka covers only seven districts out of 25. Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra cover only tribal areas. Rajasthan has requested that the Centre share at least 50 per cent of the financial budget owing to financial constraints and drought. Uttar Pradesh says it has difficulty due to operational, administrative and financial difficulties. It requested the Centre share at least 50 per cent of the financial budget owing to financial constraints and drought. Uttar Pradesh says it has difficulty due to operational, administrative and financial difficulties. It requested the Centre to bear the cost of transportation which was rejected.

North Eastern states have said that they been allowed to use the locally procured grain because the cost of transportation from the FCI godown is too high. In short, most states want more money from the Centre.

Saxena recommends that the states that have not started providing cooked mid-day meals should be accountable for the total violation of the Court order and should be given time no later than the next academic year to do so.

Within two months, these states should make adequate budgetary provision and prepare guidelines for implementation. He has also asked the court to direct all drought-affected states to protect children from acute hunger this summer and that the Union government should provide grain free of cost to tide over summer months.

According to the report, many poor people are not able to avail of the employment that SGRY seeks to provide since most states and UTs are not utlising funds and foodgrains. In SGRY, the states have to share 25 per cent of the cash cost, impairing the progress of the case.

States like Rajasthan are only able to use 6.9 per cent of their offtake, Punjab 59 per cent and Himachal 64 per cent, whereas Andhra Pradesh has been using 164 per cent of their offtake. Most states have said that financial cruch makes it difficult and there is delay in release of installments by the Centre. Madhya Pradesh said that ad hoc finances were allotted initially making it difficult for states to utilise it on time.

In North-Eastern states, weather permits only one season and untimely delivery means that the entire year is gone.

‘‘In some cases, the grains are not reaching the people and in some cases machines are being used which is outright illegal undermining the effectiveness of the entire programme,’’ says the report.

In his field visit to Orissa, Saxena discovered that tractors were being used for the programme and that the accounts that were presented did not tally.

The North-Eastern states have asked if they can pay in cash as FCI has only one godown in the region making transportation difficult.

‘‘For the largest employment programme of the country, it is essential that resources used are adequate. Direct the Union of India to release foodgrains and funds on time to ensure that the state governments do not have difficulties accessing resources,’’ he recommends.

In face of severe financial constraints, the states should be allowed to give the entire amount in foodgrains.

In the case of Targeted Public Distribution System, the entire scheme depends upon issuing BPL cards.

‘‘It is learnt that the staff is demanding bribes to issue cards and process applications. Uttar Pradesh is one case that has to be looked at closely, since it claims it has issued cards to 90 per cent of the families.’’

‘‘In UP though a survey was done and the government said 90 per cent of the people were covered, the fact is that Barwan block in UP have not got ration cards this season,’’ says the report. Saxena says that in a private conversation, one Panchayat secretary admitted that he was unable to complete the exercise as had to do it in record time.

Being identified for BPL is necessary for people to access various schemes of the government. In Maharashtra, the food secretary admitted that migrant and homeless were not being issued these cards.

‘‘It is important to fix responsibility for the gross failure. A committee should make appraisal reports on the conduct of responsible officers to recognise positive efforts,’’ he recommends.