Political and Administrative Realities of Employment Guarantee Scheme

There are essentially two lessons to be learnt from Maharashtra's Employment Guarantee Scheme. One, the programme was initially very successful because it enjoyed a commitment widely shared across the political spectrum. Second, it needs strong departmental inputs in terms of planning, budgeting and technical supervision, should involve local governments and be responsive to the needs of the poorest. It may be difficult to replicate the same political commitment in the India of 2005. Yet, the case for an employment guarantee remains strong because it is unacceptable that despite the country approaching middle-income status there are 250-300 million people desperate for work and better livelihood.