Implementation of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme: A Study from Rajasthan

Abstract

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) is one of the flagship programme initiated to address the issues of poverty and livelihood at a larger level. The present study tries to analyze the impact of this scheme on the BPL families. Involvement of gram panchayat in implementation and monitoring of this scheme is also subjected for analysis. Samples for the present study constitute beneficiaries of MGNREGS from 121 Below Poverty Line families in the two villages of Ladnun Block of Rajasthan. Case studies, FGDs, in-depth interviews and observation methods were also employed. Purposive sampling method was used for selection of village and beneficiaries. Information from the secondary sources available at Planning Commission, Ministry of Rural Development, State Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department were also utilized for the study. It was found that the cases of women getting involved in NREGA activities were very much encouraging. Their involvement had contributed to improve the living conditions of the household. Women beneficiaries spent the money to create household assets, purchase of artificial designing jewelry, clothes and paid fees for education of their children. Half of the beneficiaries were mentioned they only got Rs 60/- per day and they were not aware of the reasons for low rate of payment. They were appreciated the timely payment of money. Their major suggestion was to create crèche facility for their children at nearby working sites. It is evident from the study that the interventions of Gram panchayat on monitoring part are lacking at the different levels.

Keywords: MGNREGS, BPL, Household

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