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Public Works as a Safety Net
(2005) found that the involvement of contractors in project execution (which was not intended to occur) excluded the very poor and the lower caste and generated the incentive to (clandestinely) use labor-displacing machinery. Arguably, the use of these technologies was an effort to maximize the efficiency and therefore the resources flowing into local works projects, as well as being the result of pressure by line department staff to complete the works in a short time. The net result, however, has been lower benefits to workers. Recognizing these problems, contractors are now banned under India’s MGNREGS program.
Program Management Information System An MIS is a tool that facilitates the timely collection, processing, management, and dissemination of data essential for program operations, accountability, and policy making. An effective MIS also helps minimize error, fraud, and corruption by warning end users of data when there are discrepancies between the expected and realized flows of funds and inputs or outputs.
Components A typical MIS relies on four components, which are necessary for its implementation and functioning: • Governance and organizational structure provide the adequate environment for an effective and efficient MIS, including institutional arrangements and service agreements, good oversight, clearly defined roles and responsibilities, and an established process for program improvements. • Information management ensures that quality information is maintained on beneficiaries, project status, and payment information. The characteristics of high-quality information include accuracy, correctness, completeness, and relevance. Information must be tailored to inform all key program processes, as outlined in table 5.2. • Application management makes information usable and prevents vulnerabilities in the day-to-day operations of the public works program. The MIS provides an interface between the user and the beneficiary database, and controls and monitors user and system access to the information. • Infrastructure is the physical equipment used to operate the MIS. It includes the hardware and network used to operate the MIS application and beneficiary database, and connects the program’s central office with local and regional offices.