Centre for Advanced Research on Development and Change

MNREGA operates as a "demand-driven" program, serving as a safety net to mitigate migration among rural poor households during lean periods. The initiative guarantees a hundred days of unskilled manual labour at minimum wage, focusing on water conservation, land development, and drought-proofing to reduce migration pressures.
Bihar holds a unique status, boasting the highest number of NREGA districts and the densest coverage in the country. Among the 200 NREGA districts nationwide, 23 are in Bihar, constituting 11.5% of the total and 60.5% of the state's 38 districts. The State Government extended the Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme to the remaining districts, ensuring Bihar's status as a 100% rural employment guarantee-covered state, utilizing its own resources.

The transformation of panchayats into effective local governments hinges on the devolution of powers, resources, and functions to them, coupled with capacity building for elected representatives. There is a pressing need for comprehensive capacity building, encompassing areas such as accounts, budgeting, and monitoring. The shift towards elected representatives having full responsibility for decision-making and financial matters is crucial for bringing about meaningful changes.
Effective functioning of members and presidents of Gram Panchayats necessitates capacity building in various aspects, including literacy, education, and a deep understanding of laws and implementation procedures. The lack of education, information, and low economic status exacerbates the challenge of non-involvement of traditionally disadvantaged sections in local governance.

In recent years, India has witnessed a significant improvement in its healthcare infrastructure, albeit with a predominant focus on urban areas. The limited expansion is often attributed to the perceived challenges of time and substantial investments required for establishing a comprehensive healthcare network nationwide. Data reveals that a considerable number of lives are lost due to inadequate awareness about preventive healthcare practices. Surprisingly, the measures needed to provide such facilities are cost-effective. A notable trend is the increasing use of mobile telephony in reaching target groups and delivering healthcare services across the country.
The healthcare industry is leveraging mobile technology to extend its services to patients, particularly in remote and inaccessible areas. This approach enables numerous patients to access medical facilities conveniently.