Accuracy of Targeting and Implications of Rationing in Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme: Evidence from West Bengal, India

Abstract

Taking 66th round data of National Sample Survey (2009-10), this paper examines the implications of type 1 and type 2 rationing of work under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in West Bengal for poorer households. Using regression analysis and evidences from field, it attempts to find, if the households, which sought but did not get work, are poorer (by various indicators) than the ones, who got work (type 2) and then explores, if the poor get work for lesser number of days (type 1). The results show that poor households do not have significantly higher probability of getting work compared to non poor. This has left behind a substantial exclusion of poor, without work. It further gives evidence that non poor households get work for more number of days than poor households. The findings also highlight the importance of awareness of its entitlements to realize the desired impact.