Thread by @Moneylifers

Press conference of @PrashantKishor at Vaishali, sharing the experience of 190 days of Padayatra across 4 districts

Among his findings from the ground:
1. Very little of rice and wheat is procured at MSP as opposed to 70% in Punjab
2. Govt claim of 5 kg grains disbursed under #GaribKalyan is false. 20% is eaten up. So much for Modi govt's claim of eliminating corruption.

3. Another big scheme (launched in 2014) is #SwachhBharat Abhiyan. Most districts of Bihar had been declared Open defecation free 2 yrs ago. But ODF is common. Money was collected by officials (not netas) to make toilets but no one has checked if toilets were made and are used.

4. Under Indira Aawas Yojana, renamed PM Aawas Yojana, beneficiaries are supposed to get 1.4 lakhs. To get the have to pay 20,000-40,000.

In Panchayats where netas take money, it is 30,000-40,000. Even in panchayats where netas are not taking money, babus have to get their share of 20,000-25,000

One of the biggest surprises to @PrashantKishor was what he calls "Zameen see gayab MNREGA". He assumed that many people would be connected to this scheme in Bihar because of poverty and unemployment. He found near total absence of MNREGA in 190 days. MNREGA is a dead project

These were about 4 major central schemes. Rest of it was the complete waste of state govt schemes such as employment assistance, nal-jal schemes, student credit schemes, drainage schemes. National highways are good but rural roads are the same they were.

Every house has electricity but thousands of complaints about extremely high bills - from Rs 5,000-6000 to even a lakh. Many can't pay and electricity is disconnected

3 main issues of citizens:
1. Officer shahi: highhandedness of babus
2. Bribes extracted by babus
3. Cut from every scheme -- state or central

So what is his programme? He is inspiring the youth to create thousands of clubs in each district which will provide sports and education to the poor. At least 100 young persons will be associated with each club.

Requesting @swing_ka_sultan to share his views when he is in your area.