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Timing of Capture of Anti-poverty Programs: Rural Public Works and Food for Work Programs in Rural India

Author

Listed:
  • Raghbendra Jha
  • Sambit Bhattacharyya
  • Raghav Gaiha

Abstract

Using National Sample Survey data for rural India we examine the incidence of capture in two workfare programs in rural India: the Rural Public Works and the Food for Work Programs for 1993-94 and 2004-05 respectively. We discover a high degree of program capture among the general population. Among the traditionally backward groups in Indian rural society -- but with considerable variation in their living standards — there appears to be a higher degree of capture among SC than among ST. Targeting among SC worsened over time. There was an increase in capture by the fourth quintile (of household per capita expenditure) of SC, ST and landowners. This may be reflective of a varying degree of collusion between the elite and the program implementing agencies (e.g., village councils) over time. Thus potential benefits of workfare get undermined. We also provide evidence to suggest that income based targeting could outperform social group based targeting.

Suggested Citation

  • Raghbendra Jha & Sambit Bhattacharyya & Raghav Gaiha, 2009. "Timing of Capture of Anti-poverty Programs: Rural Public Works and Food for Work Programs in Rural India," ASARC Working Papers 2009-16, The Australian National University, Australia South Asia Research Centre.
    • Handle: RePEc:pas:asarcc:2009-16
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    File URL: https://crawford.anu.edu.au/acde/asarc/pdf/papers/2009/WP2009_16.pdf
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    Cited by:

    1. Katsushi S. Imai, 2011. "Poverty, undernutrition and vulnerability in rural India: role of rural public works and food for work programmes," International Review of Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 25(6), pages 669-691, November.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Capture; Poverty; India;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H53 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Welfare Programs
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development

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