Story of Change

Mason agrees to work at lower rates to complete a community well in NREGS

Mawati Is a Panchayat in Thandla block of Jhabua district in Madhya Pradesh. A community well was commissioned in the Panchayat under NREGS for providing drinking water to the community and the work started on the well. However the work was not completed and was left unfinished. The social audit in the Panchayat highlighted the issue in the Gram Sabha and Sarpanch was asked to explain. It was then brought to the notice of the community that though he tried to complete the well ,but the skilled mason for the purpose is not available at the rate prescribed by the NREGS. A mason from the village was vouched that he goes to nearby Dahod town and gets Rs. 500 per day for masonry work. He or other masons will not agree to work for nearly half the rate in NREGS. Given the challenge The Panchayat and community requested this mason to work at lesser rate for the sake of community and his own village. The mason agreed on the persuasion of the Gram Sabha. The well was subsequently completed.