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J-II012/02/2012-MGNREGA Government of India Ministry of Rural Development MGNREGA Division

Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi Dated 28-10-2013 To The Principal Secretary/ (lncharge-MGNREGA) All States and UTs Secretary

Subject: Convergence SirlMadam,

of MGNREGA

with other Schemes

Ministry has identified 'Convergence' as one of the thrust areas under MGNREGA. You may be aware that the Ministry had organized a National Workshop on Convergence of MGNREGA with other Schemes on 1ih September, 2013 at New Delhi. The Workshop provided a platform for the Government of India as well as the State and Districts to learn about convergence initiatives and some of the best practices in the field level. 2. The Workshop set pace and direction for the way forward on convergence under MGNREGA. There was unanimity among the participants in suggesting that the convergence of MGNREGA with other programmes/schemes will help in attaining the objective of creation of durable assets and strengthening the livelihood resource base of the poor. As a follow up to the Workshop, the Ministry has taken the following decisions: a. State awards will be given for effective initiatives in three spheres: (i) Sustainable livelihood through convergence (ii) Transparency and accountability (iii) Social inclusion. b. State nodal officer will be designated for convergence c. Setting up of exclusive online forum for convergence called 'Knowledge Network' 3. State awards for effective initiative: Ministry has prepared a Scheme for State Award for effective initiatives on the above-mentioned three spheres. States are requested to send proposals by 30th November, 2013 as per the enclosed copy ofthe Scheme. 4. State nodal officer for convergence: States are requested to nominate a senior officer (preferably Commissioner! Director MGNREGA) as the State nodal officer for convergence. The nodal officer will be responsible for day to day coordination with Line Departments/ District Officials/ MIS updation on convergence activities and regular interaction with the Ministry. You are requested to send the details of nominated nodal officer to the Ministry by 5th November, 2013.

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5, Exclusive online forum for convergence called 'knowledge will set up an exclusive website for convergence, This will serve as a best practices, peer learning and trouble shooting. It will also facilitate pool of creative practitioners, willing to help to develop new models and We seek the support of State Government in implementing Ministry will be lending to State all possible assistance for facilitation.

network': Ministry forum for sharing of collaboration with a approaches. the decisions above.

Yours sincerely, Enclosure as above

Scheme of State Award for Effective Initiative under Mahatma Gandhi NREGA 1. The Award 1.1. To recognize the outstanding contribution of State Government in the implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, the Government of India has introduced State Awards for Effective initiative under Mahatma Gandhi NREGA in three areas viz social inclusion, sustainable livelihood through convergence and, transparency & accountability. 1.2. Broad categories for the award include: Sustainable livelihood through convergence : Quality, utility, sustainability and productivity of assets though convergence with different schemes Social Inclusion: Equity in terms of coverage, participation and initiatives taken to include the marginalised groups SCs, STs, women, physically challenged and special categories like bonded labour, manual scavengers etc Transparency and Accountability: Accountability including social audits, inspections, grievance redressal and monitoring

2. Eligibility criteria 2.1. All State MGNREGA Teams will be eligible for consideration for the Award. The Principal Secretary/Secretary in-charge ofMGNREGA shall be the head of the State Team applying for the award. 2.2. The awards will be given at a ceremonial function on 2nd February every year 3. Modalities 3.1 Call for nominations will be made by MoRD by 30th November. 3.2. Nomination: State Governments will submit proposal for the Awards. The nominations should be sent to the office of Joint Secretary, Department of Rural Development, Government of India, Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi. 3.3. Preliminary screening: The Ministry will conduct a preliminary verification of the nominations received by it. The eligible nominations will be screened by an Expert Committee. The Committee will be constituted by the Central Government comprising of eminent persons from the fields of administration, law, management, media, science and technology, academia and social activists engaged in implementation of the programme. 3.4. Presentation and Field Verification: The nominees shortlisted by the Central Government will be invited to make a presentation before the Expert Committee. The Expert Committee will consider the proposals and may also visit the districts for field verification. The Expert Committee will recommend the details of the awardees on the basis of which the Central Government will select the awardees.

4. Evaluation criteria 4.1. Final selection will be based on the performance by the applicants against predetermined criteria given below: A. Sustainable Livelihoods through Convergence Category Description This includes perspective planning, annual shelf of Planning projects and formulation of labour budget with a focus on optimization of resources of other line departments and on strengthening livelihoods in rural areas Achieving convergence with other development and pertaining welfare programmes agriculture, to Convergence initiative environment & forestry, fishery, animal husbandry, watershed management, horticulture, health, education, sanitation, Public Distribution System, nutrition, roads, water resources etc. The quality of convergence between MGNREGA and NRLM will be specially assessed Guidelines/advisory Issue of guidelines and advisory at states level. and monitoring of Mechanism set up to monitor convergence initiatives/ convergence initiatives quality of assets in the districts. Feedback system to inspect the works and improve the existing system including District Quality Monitors etc. Adherence to Adherence to MGNREGA processes like starting of MGNREGA processes work on time, timely wage payment, regular inspections etc. Institutional Structures Long term institutional structures and service delivery mechanisms set up to facilitate convergence Role of PR Is Ways of involving PRIs in bringing convergence MGNREGA quantitative indicators including, number Output of persondays generated per household, number of convergence projects taken up etc. Long term impact and infrastructure development for Outcome providing maximum benefit to the rural households in terms of sustainable increase in their standard of living. Indicators may include, productivity, incomes of households, quality of assets etc. Any innovation/special initiatives by State Government Innovations to ensure effective convergence Criteria

Sustainable livelihood though convergence of different schemes

B. Social Inclusion Category Criteria Information, Education and Communication Planning Training and orientation Social Inclusion Adherence to MGNREGA processes Mobilisation of workers Institutional Structures Output Description Measures taken for dissemination of information and creation of awareness in the rural areas with regard to entitlements of marginalized groups in particular Inclusive and participatory planning approaches adopted Steps taken for training and orientation of the MGNREGA functionaries to equip them with the required knowledge about their roles and responsibilities and to enable them to discharge their obligations in a proper manner. Adherence to MGNREGA processes like starting of work on time, timely wage payment, regular inspections etc. Measures taken to mobilise the workers of all group which represent SCs, STs, women, physically challenged, special categories like bonded labour, manual scavengers Long term institutional structures and service delivery mechanisms set up to ensure social inclusion MGNREGA quantitative indicators including, number of persondays generated per household, percentage of SC/ST participation, percentage of women participation Long term impact generated by the programme, for example, improved livelihoods for marginalised communities, impact on distress migration etc Any innovation/special initiative by State Government to ensure greater access for the marginalized sections

Outcome

Innovations

C. Transparency & Accountability Category Criteria Information, Education and Communication Disclosure of Information Description Measures taken for dissemination of information and creation of awareness in the rural areas with regard to social audits and participation in Gram Sabhas etc. Timeliness and adequacy of disclosure of information, both suo motu and on demand. For e.g. display of the list of works and workers in Gram Panchayats Use of ICT for promoting public disclosure and placing information in public domain Adherence to MGNREGA processes like starting of work on time, timely wage payment, regular inspections etc. Setting up of VMCs as per and ensuring their effective functioning Setting up of Social Audit Directorate, completion of pilots social audits. Findings of the social audit should be published in the MGNREGA website and follow up action taken. Other arrangements made by the State to ensure quality and regular social audits. Satisfying the complainants as regards setting their grievances within the prescribed time limit. Effective operation of Helplines and complaint boxes. Proper maintenance of complaint register III the Gram Panchayats, Blocks and Districts. Corrective action taken against wrong doers under Indian Penal Code, Prevention of Corruption Act, Service Rules, etc. Formation of labour groups and their role in demand capturing, awareness generation, implementation of programme etc Mobilization of people, grievance redresal, capturing demand, involvement of PRls Ombudsmen in place and their role Long term institutional structures and service delivery mechanisms set up to facilitate convergence MGNREGA quantitative indicators including, number of persondays generated per household, number of social audits held, etc. Long term impact such as difference in awareness levels pre and post social audit etc. Any innovation/special initiative by State Government to ensure transparency & accountability

Management of Information Transparency & System & IT accountability Adherence to MGNREGA processes Vigilance and Monitoring Committees Social Audit

Grievances Management and disposal of complaints

Labour Group

Organisation of Rojgar Diwas Ombudsman Institutional Structures Output

Outcome

Innovations

4.2. Time Table The selection of the awardees will be based on their performance during a particular financial year ending 31 st March. Accordingly the time table for the selection of the awardees will be the following:SI.

Particulars of Activity Submission of Applications/Nominations by State NREGA Teams Preliminary verification of Nominations by Central Government. Shortlisting of selected nominations by Central Government. Final Selection by the Central Government on the recommendation the Expert Committee. Award Ceremony

No. 1 2 3
4

of

Due Date of Completion 30th November 15th December so" December 15th January 2ha February

Pin Code 3. Telephone Nos. Office Residence Fax Mobile Email address Details of Activity taken up by State MGNREGA Team. (please furnish a narrative of work done, soft and hard copy) 6. Details of works on the basis of which the State MGNREGA Team is making claim for award. (please furnish in numbered paragraphs pointwise summary of the basis of claim, in around 250 words) Verifiable evidences (oral or documentary) for claims made by the applicant. (please furnish photographic, videographic, statistical, textual, press clippings and other documentary or oral evidences in support of the claims) Details of the institutions/individuals nominating the State MGNREGA Team. Name Address Address Line 1 Address Line 2 Address Line 3 District State Pin Code Telephone Nos. Office Residence Fax Mobile Email address

4. 5.

7.

8.

9.

Mention details of awards received earlier by the applicant, if any.

10.

Submit your views with justifications on the strength and weaknesses of MGNREG Act, Schemes and Projects taken under the Act (in not more than 1000 words).

Signature and Stamp of the Head of State MGNREGA Team Place: Date:

Signature and Stamp of the Head of the Nominating Institution (s) IIndividual (s)

Place: Date:

Important: 1. Hard copies of all reports should be submitted in MS Word in 12-size Arial font in numbered paragraphs in A4 size paper. The report should have page numbers, table of contents, list of abbreviations, synopsis of dates and events, an executive summary, full description of events, facts, problems and interventions made. All annexures should be properly referenced with respect to the report. 2. For the purpose of presentation, PowerPoint may be used. 3. Electronic copy of documents should also be provided. 4. Nominations for National level Award may be submitted to the Joint Secretary, Department of Rural Development, Government ofIndia, Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi along with a self-addressed envelope.