Impact of mahatma gandhi national rural employment gurantee scheme (MGNREGS) - a study of udma grama panchayat, kasargod district

Abstract

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act aims at enhancing the livelihood security of people in rural areas by guaranteeing hundred days of wage employment in a financial year to a rural household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work. Today MGNREGS is the most important employment generation programme of the Government in our country. The study entitled “lmpact of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) – A case study of Udma Grama Panchayat” was conducted to analyze the effectiveness of MGNREGA) from the perspective of the beneficiaries. The study was based on primary and secondary data. The secondary data were collected from various journals, reports, publications, and internet and from the Gramma Panchayat. The primary data were collected from 40 beneficiaries who had employed under the scheme through a pre – structured questionnaire. Percentages and indices were used for analyzing the data. The MGNREGS in Udma Gramma Panchayat was very effective and the scheme has its impact on the income level, expenditure pattern, savings, migration, acquisition of assets, status of women and the social relationship. The scheme has also brou8ght in benefits to the households as well as to community. The respondents have rated the functioning of the scheme with reference to the selected variables as ‘good’ which is a sign of good work done by the various functionaries of the scheme. It could be observed that some suggestions from the respondents for the improvement of the programme regarding the increase in the wage rate and work days, bonus, pension and insurance facility to the workers. The study has proved that MGNREGS have great impact in the beneficiaries of Udma Grama Panchayat.