In the last financial year, the state average was 45 days of work per household against the national average of 53.9 days. Several other states like Andhra Pradesh (65.6), Rajasthan ( 68.9), Sikkim (79.9), Tripura (79.5), Mizoram (94.5), Karnataka(56.6), Uttar Pradesh (64.9) have performed better.

In implementation of the scheme, West Bengal ranks 16th among all states and union territories (excluding Chandigarh and Daman and Diu).

According to Anisur Rehman, the state Minister for Panchayat department the state has issued about 1 crore job cards but only 35 lakh people have sought work under the scheme.

The implementation of the scheme is hampered by delay in payment of wages and non-payment of compensation to those who have not been provided work despite having issued job cards.

The funds which the state is demanding from the Center is for current financial year. However, delay in payment was reported earlier, too. For instance, in South 24 Parganas, the payment of about Rs 48 lakh to about 1, 100 beneficiaries has been pending for over 10 months. In the year before, payment of over Rs 1 crore had remained pending.

Secondly, despite a provision under the scheme to pay allowance to card-holders if work is not awarded to them, the unemployment allowance for 1,91,684 days, highest among all the states, is due for the financial year, 2009-10.

Earth works, the primary work under the NREGS, are likely to be hit because of the 30 per cent shortfall in the rains in the state this year.

“We will give more focus on forestry, land development, irrigation and laying of road. We are targetting about 75- 80 days of work. However, the lack of funds has caused delay in payment,” said Rehman.

Besides, low participation in the scheme by women has also hit the success of the scheme in the state.

“The NREGS is turning out to be a women-centric scheme. Women’s participation in the scheme in West Bengal is 33 against 49.5 per cent national average. On the other hand, the women’s participation in the scheme in Tamil Nadu is 81.5 percent and 91.6 per cent in Kerela,” said Anuradha Talwar, the president of Paschim Banga Khet Majoor Samity. She said the earth work is not women-friendly.