NREGA in Andhra Pradesh- Seven Lessons from the Data

This focus note assesses the relative performance of Andhra Pradesh (AP), India in implementing the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), India's largest anti-poverty program in terms of number of beneficiaries. AP has implemented an innovative smartcard-based payment system for NREGA beneficiaries, which served to reduce corruption and increase convenience. The state has been a leader in encouraging transparency in the implementation of NREGA and has made detailed micro-level data available to the public via internet. It has also created an independent agency to promote and oversee social audits of NREGA.The focus note analyzes detailed micro-level data on NREGA participation in AP. It highlights the following lessons:

• Despite the appearance of stagnant growth, participation in NREGA in AP is growing rapidly;
• Obtaining a NREGA job card isn't a major obstacle;
• Wages are similar across caste and gender, but vary widely from district to district;
• NREGA's targeting mechanisms are more accurate then other government programs;
• Caste and gender of locally elected leaders have modest effect on the program;
• Caste composition of a region might influence work distribution.