Abstract
This study was conducted in the Pennagaram block of Dharmapuri district with 120 respondents for identifying the strengths, weakness, opportunities and challenges of MGNREGS. The major strengths are the availability of work with assured wages during the lean season, increase in the bargaining power of agricultural labor in rural areas, increasing their purchasing power of agricultural laborers and assist in proper repair and maintenance of community assets. The weakness identified are delay in payments and defects in carrying out the schedule of rates, lack of planning and expertise in identifying development work and prioritizing them in village panchayats, lack of awareness about social audit and e- muster rolls. With regard to opportunities, it has ensured women’s participation in the labour force leading to their empowerment, ensures food and nutrient security, creates job opportunities for all stakeholders in their rural habitats and prevents and checks migration to nearby towns/cities in search of employment. The challenges are poor allocation of funds and its disbursal to the beneficiaries affecting its functioning, Poor MGNREGS implementation and monitoring resulting in the creation of less public assets and infrastructure facilities, wide spread corruption and misuse of allocated funds and increased political interference in the selection of beneficiaries and assigning of works.
Highlights
The MGNREGS Scheme in Tamil Nadu was first implemented in six districts
Over a period of time, Tamil Nadu has emerged as a model state for MGNREGS in identifying and selecting various rural infrastructure development projects, natural and water resource management works according to the needs and circumstances of the respective panchayats, developing and formulating sustainable models and setting up guidelines in the implementation of MGNREGS
Interview schedule was prepared to unearth the SWOC parameters in the functioning of SWOC analysis of MGNREGS in Dharmapuri
Summary
The MGNREGS Scheme in Tamil Nadu was first implemented in six districts. Subsequently, it was extended to all the districts in Tamil Nadu. Over a period of time, Tamil Nadu has emerged as a model state for MGNREGS in identifying and selecting various rural infrastructure development projects, natural and water resource management works according to the needs and circumstances of the respective panchayats, developing and formulating sustainable models and setting up guidelines in the implementation of MGNREGS This scheme has played an important role in the upliftment of the rural masses. The average days of employment provide per household has recorded as 45.42 percent in the current financially year and there is a need for better coordination between various departments for strengthening this scheme as it is one of the best welfare schemes in recent years that has assisted the rural poor Keeping this in view, a study was undertaken to assess the strength, weakness, opportunities and challenges of MGNREGS in the Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu
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