But the decision to cut down the wages could be disastrous and should be condemned, the social workers said in their resolution on the concluding day of the yatra. In Rajasthan, the minimum wages paid to workers is Rs 73. If the decision is implemented, the state government would have to pay Rs 13 from its coffers. Economists fear that the state is bound to take less interest in the scheme if its own liability goes up.

The EGA works are already considered an unattractive option by male workers. A preliminary survey during the padyatra indicated that nearly 80 per cent workers on these sites are women as men prefer to work in the adjoining districts (even states) where the wages are more. If the wages are cut further, there may be a scarcity of employable workers, economists fear.

The survey, conducted during the 10-day campaign, also indicated that the scheme has become extremely popular among the people.

Some of the findings:

• Familiarity with the basic entitlements of EGA: Almost every family has a job card and knows that the card entitles them to 100 days of employment over the year. There is, however, insufficient awareness of various provisions of the Act, including payment rates, worksite facilities and work norms.

• Unprecedented levels of employment on public works: About 115,000 persons were employed on NREGA in Dungarpur, implying that every second family in rural Dungarpur has one member employed.

• Enormous pressure on the administration at all levels to focus on employment generation and to deliver. In fact, there is a severe shortage of staff to meet the requirements.

... contd.