Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Research Articles

Public Policy Analysis of MGNREGA Successes, Failures, and the Way Forward

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is a landmark public policy initiative aimed at ensuring livelihood security in rural India by providing at least 100 days of wage employment to unskilled labourers. Over the years, MGNREGA has contributed significantly to poverty reduction, rural infrastructure development, and social inclusion. However, the policy has also faced challenges such as delayed wage payments, corruption, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and fund mismanagement. This study conducts a critical analysis of MGNREGA’s successes, failures, and future prospects, drawing insights from policy reports and academic research. While the program has been instrumental in enhancing rural employment and empowering marginalized communities, structural weaknesses in its governance and implementation hinder its full potential. By examining key policy evaluations, including those by Dreze and Khera (2009), this paper suggests strengthening digital governance, improving financial transparency, and fostering greater community participation as key measures to enhance MGNREGA’s effectiveness. The findings contribute to the broader discourse on public policy effectiveness, rural development, and social security in India. Keywords: MGNREGA, Public Policy, Rural Employment, Governance, Social Security

Need and challenges of palliative care in tribal people: a qualitative analysis

BackgroundIndigenous people are the most vulnerable and marginalised parts of society. Health services available to the tribal people are in developing face when compared to non-indigenous people. The situation with palliative care services exhibits a similar discrepancy. This study aims to explore the challenges and needs of palliative care within the tribal communities of Kerala.MethodsThe study followed a case study method conducted among the Paniya tribal community in Kambhatti, Maani, and Ozhakodi settlements of the Wayanad district, Kerala. The researchers used semi-structured interviews and observation as data collection methods. The data were collected from tribal people, ASHA workers, and promoters. Tribal people older than 18 years are considered for this study. A six-step model of reflexive thematic analysis was used for analysis. Open coding, followed by axial coding, was used to analyse the data collected from the participants. The codes were combined to form themes.ResultsA total of 12 participants were interviewed for the study, among them 8 participants were tribal people, 2 participants were promoters and 2 participants were ASHA workers. The majority of the tribal individuals live in joint families inside their settlement. Most of the participants were women, compared to men. Most of the women are employed through the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. Nine major themes related to the challenges of palliative care were derived after the analysis are, lack of awareness, accessibility, financial issues, cultural beliefs and practice, fear and communication barriers, insufficient health care workforce, palliative care services, and health-related issues.ConclusionsThis study highlights the significance of palliative care for tribal populations. There is an increased need for palliative care, accompanied by challenges with receiving it in a culturally acceptable and sensitive manner. Developing a hybrid healthcare approach that integrates both traditional and modern medications exclusively for tribes is essential. The tribal population requires support in accessing comprehensive palliative care services from various professionals. It is crucial to establish healthcare programs aimed at addressing the entire healthcare needs of the tribal populations.

Five Years since First Lockdown (March 2020-February 2025)—Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on India: Challenges and Opportunities

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted India, presenting a dual spectrum of challenges and opportunities. This article explores the chronological timeline of events, beginning with the outbreak in China and its subsequent global spread, highlighting key dates and developments in India. It discusses the transformation of healthcare systems through expanded testing capabilities, triage systems, and the rapid adoption of online platforms and IT technologies. The manufacturing sector pivoted to produce essential supplies like masks and personal protective equipment (PPE) kits, while advancements in vaccine development and therapeutic treatments, including ventilators and oxygen supply, became pivotal in managing the crisis. The pandemic also catalyzed initiatives like Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) for employment and highlighted new health challenges such as mucormycosis. Moreover, it spurred advancements in AI and machine learning, bolstered telemedicine adoption, and revealed lessons for future pandemics. The article concludes with recommendations for enhancing healthcare capacity, leveraging collaborations like the Swasth Express initiative and anticipating future pandemics through strategic policy frameworks.

Leveraging Digital Innovation to Enhance MGNREGA’s Impact on Rural Empowerment

This study examines how digital innovations have affected the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), with a particular emphasis on Aadhaar-linked payments (ALP) and Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT). These technical advancements, which were first introduced in 2015 as part of the Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, and Mobile (JAM) project, were intended to improve efficiency, inclusion, and transparency by streamlining salary disbursement and reducing delays. This study evaluates the efficacy of digital interventions in enhancing program delivery by examining secondary data sources, such as government reports, scholarly literature, Management Information System (MIS) data, and Geographic Information System (GIS) analytics. GIS has also improved resource mapping, enabled targeted employment creation, tracked the quality of assets, and encouraged sustainable rural development. Notwithstanding these achievements, the research points out important areas that need focus, such improving digital literacy, building infrastructure, and implementing data security measures. Policymakers may learn a lot from this study on how to use digital governance to maximise rural employment initiatives and reduce poverty by empowering people with technology

Evaluating Rajasthan’s urban employment guarantee program: some key insights and concerns

ABSTRACT In September 2022, the state of Rajasthan, India, launched the Indira Gandhi Rozgar Guarantee Yojana (IRGY), an urban public works program based on its long-running rural counterpart, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The IRGY guarantees 125 days of wage employment annually at statutory minimum wage rates for each urban household. The impacts of MGNREGA are well documented, while those of similar programs in urban contexts remain less explored. This study examined the operational dynamics, participation, and challenges of the IRGY through a household survey conducted in informal settlements across two cities in Rajasthan. The findings indicate that the IRGY primarily attracts women workers due to its flexibility and governmental nature. However, it faces implementation challenges, such as low wages and payment delays. Despite these concerns, the IRGY promises to provide livelihood security and address gender-related issues in the urban labour market.

Decentralised Governance, Good Governance and Mahatma Gandhi NREGS

In this introductory essay, the good governance aspects followed in the implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme are discussed. Since the responsibility of implementing Mahatma Gandhi NREGS has been assigned to Panchayati Raj Institutions, especially gram panchayats, this paper provides a discussion on conceptual links between decentralisation and good governance practices in Mahatma Gandhi NREGS based on the scheme’s design. Summaries of the papers included in the special issue are also provided.

Role of Mahatma Gandhi NREGA in Building Rural Infrastructure and Sustainable Development

This paper discusses the role of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act in creating and strengthening various infrastructure assets in rural India. It critically analyses the number of assets, employment generation, and contribution to improving rural livelihoods. It also analyses the amount spent on each infrastructure activity, with a particular focus on agriculture, natural resource management, basic services-related works, and the construction of infrastructure to support the production activities of Self-Help Groups (SHGs). The information for the paper was obtained from the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) website. The analysis adopted is to work out the percentage of expenditures on various assets and the number of works carried out from 2013-14 to 2023-24. Based on the analysis, the paper has uncovered sufficient evidence of the growing trend of allocating funds to infrastructure strengthening, with over 60 per cent of Mahatma Gandhi NREGS funding allocated to assets related to agriculture and Natural Resource Management (NRM) activities. The last two years have seen an annual expenditure of around Rs. 30000 crore on building rural infrastructure, primarily in the agriculture sector, which has significantly strengthened rural livelihoods and reduced poverty. Finally, this paper provides policy suggestions to improve the governance for better implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi NREGA.

Women’s Participation in Mahatma Gandhi NREGS and Gender-Responsive Implementation: Progress and Persistent Challenges

This paper analyses the participation of women in the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (Mahatma Gandhi NREGS) and examines the gender-responsive implementation of the programme. Using a descriptive research design and secondary data analysis, this study assesses trends in women’s participation, gender budgeting, resource allocation, and the potential benefits of Mahatma Gandhi NREGS assets for women. The findings reveal significant progress in women’s participation and highlight persistent challenges such as regional disparities, patriarchal norms, and inadequate facilities. To address these challenges, the paper recommends implementing the programme by incorporating women’s perspectives from the planning stages, selecting work that directly benefits women, and ensuring equitable resource allocation, which are crucial for enhancing gender responsiveness in the Mahatma Gandhi NREGS.

Natural Resource Management Under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS: Potential Impacts on Climate Change and Environmental Conservation

Natural resource management is widely acknowledged for its crucial role in climate change adaptation and mitigation. It is achieved through sustainable use and conservation of resources by reducing greenhouse gas emissions through practices like afforestation, sustainable agriculture and water conservation. An attempt is made in this paper to evaluate the potential of natural resource-based activities under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme across the nation on achieving climate resilience together with co-benefits in terms of climate adaptation and mitigation. The success stories in different parts of India reveal the gross improvement in carbon sequestration and crop productivity. Most of the undertaken activities have significantly enhanced the adaptive capacity of rural communities to climate change risks, yielding various ecological and environmental benefits through an advanced response to changing rainfall patterns, drought and flooding to reach the ultimate goal of securing resilience and sustainability of livelihoods. However, there is a need for further examination and quantification of its potential while emphasising that the scheme holds promise for a more resilient future.

Issues in Enforcing Accountability in Mahatma Gandhi NREGS: Study of Social Audit in Telangana

Social audit is a pivotal tool for enforcing social accountability in the planning and implementation of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. It involves comparing official records with ground realities to assess the achievement of objectives of the Act through correct processes. Social Audit is done by people with facilitation by independent social audit units established for this purpose. This paper is based on a study on the integrity of the social audit process in Telangana, facilitated by the Society for Social Audit, Accountability and Transparency (SSAAT). Key findings of this research are poor maintenance and provisioning of records by implementing agencies; non-transparent selection of Village Resource Persons (VRPs); unsystematic training of VRPs; inadequate community mobilisation and awareness efforts; absence of independent observers in most Gram Sabhas; low attendance and voice of wage-seekers in Gram Sabha; low transparency and people’s participation in Mandal level public hearing; postponement of Social Audit process; and non-reporting of some issues by resource persons. This research paper recommends optimal utilization of the resource persons; stringent actions in case of poor maintenance and non-provisioning of records; enhancement of resource fee for VRPs; training of trainers and quality monitoring of training; proactive disclosure of information; enhancement of community involvement and mobilisation; mandatory registration of grievances and issuance of receipts; a standard pictorial technical manual with the detailed methodology of verification; mandatory presence of Junior Engineer or Technical Assistant during worksite verification; stringent disciplinary action on independent observer not attending the Gram Sabha; and public hearing at Mandal level to be chaired by an official other than those from implementing agency.

Accountability Practices in Mahatma Gandhi NREGS Towards Achieving Sustainable Development Goals

This paper discusses the prevailing mechanisms of transparency and accountability in Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act and brings out the problems and challenges in its implementation. Since Mahatma Gandhi NREGA aims to reduce poverty and create economic opportunities for better livelihood in rural India, the Government of India has initiated good governance measures in the programme. Where good governance practices are adhered to, the Mahatma Gandhi NREGA has contributed to better delivery of benefits to job seekers and sustainable development. Based on a review of the existing literature, the paper provides best practices to improve the quality of programme implementation with better governance practices. The paper also discusses various institutional frameworks appropriate for transparent administration and efficacy. Finally, this paper links the contribution of Mahatma Gandhi NREGA towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Implementation of Mahatma Gandhi NREGS: A State-wise Analysis of Efficiency, Effectiveness and Participation

The Government of India introduced the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (Mahatma Gandhi NREGA) in September 2005. This law guarantees 100 days of paid work each year to adult members of rural households who need jobs and are willing to do unskilled manual labour. The programme aims to improve rural livelihoods and reduce poverty by providing wage employment. However, several issues have been found in how the programme is designed and managed, from the local Panchayat to the state and national levels. These challenges at the grassroots level have affected the programme’s success. It is important to understand what has worked well, what has not, and how the programme can be improved in terms of governance at the grassroots. Using data collected for a nationwide study from 7,950 households across 25 states, this paper reports challenges and issues that constrain implementation at the panchayat level. The findings show that some states are well ahead of others in terms of efficiency but lag behind in effectiveness. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the scheme’s governance still needs to be improved. The findings emphasise the importance of enhancing efficiency, fostering worker participation, and addressing entitlements to achieve sustainable livelihoods and meaningful outcomes across all states and UTs.

Governance Practices at the Grassroots Level to Strengthen Rural Livelihoods through Mahatma Gandhi NREGS

Millions of people’s socio-economic lives have been profoundly impacted by the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, one of the largest programmes implemented in independent India. It is a demand-driven, people-centred, bottom-up initiative. Public policymakers, academicians, and people have often discussed the programme’s shortcomings and accomplishments in great detail. However, it is undeniable that the programme has improved peoples’ socio-economic empowerment and purchasing power by guaranteeing them 100 days of employment. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many saw the programme as the main source of food for India’s rural populace. The number of workers requesting employment under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS increased after COVID-19. The main objective of the paper is to identify the exemplary practices implemented by different Gram Panchayats (GPs) to effectively execute Mahatma Gandhi NREGS and improve the livelihoods of rural communities, to investigate the current status of Mahatma Gandhi NREGS implementation in the state of Tamil Nadu, and to examine the challenges associated with implementing best governance practices for the effective execution of Mahatma Gandhi NREGS. As a result, a systematic investigation was carried out in two districts, Dharmapuri and Mayiladuthurai, and the results of the investigation are reported in the article.

ADDRESSING RURAL UNEMPLOYMENT THROUGH POLICY INITIATIVES: A CRITICAL REVIEW OF MGNREGA AND PMEGP

This paper evaluates the effectiveness of two major government schemes aimed at tackling rural unemployment in Rajasthan: The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP). MGNREGA primarily provides wage employment, offering immediate relief to rural households during off-seasons, while PMEGP encourages self-employment by promoting entrepreneurship and micro-enterprises. Despite the positive impacts of these schemes on rural economies, challenges such as bureaucratic delays, inadequate financial access, limited training programs, and social barriers hinder their full effectiveness. This paper analyzes the policy frameworks of MGNREGA and PMEGP, identifies their key strengths and limitations, and provides recommendations for improving their implementation and outcomes. The study highlights the importance of addressing gender disparities, enhancing financial support mechanisms, and incorporating technological solutions for better monitoring and transparency. Ultimately, the paper suggests that a more inclusive, efficient, and transparent approach will significantly enhance the potential of these schemes to reduce unemployment and foster sustainable rural development in Rajasthan. KEYWORDS: Rural Unemployment, MGNREGA, PMEGP, Policy Evaluation.

Effect of Crop Insurance and Employment Support on Agricultural Households’ Well-being: Evidence from India

Indian farmers jointly follow farm risk management and livelihood diversification to augment their income for better well-being. The uncertainties in climatic conditions and rural employment market pose dangers of income insecurity to already low-incomed farmers. Crop insurance is a promising production risk management technique, which, through Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), seems beneficial in improving Indian farmers’ well-being by ensuring financial support during crop loss. Similarly, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGS) provide income security by ensuring guaranteed regular employment. This paper strives to contribute to the knowledge related to PMFBY and MNREGS. The Binary Logit Regression results suggest that marginal and small farmers are less involved in both whereas socially marginalized farmers participate more in MNREGS but less in PMFBY. The possession of education, agricultural training and crop loss experience enhance their participation in both. Further, the Propensity Score Matching (PSM) results of all the three different matching methods suggest the positive impact of PMFBY and MNREGS on household usual consumption expenditure. The study suggests to enhance crop insurance adoption by boosting education, agricultural training, and membership in farmer organization. Further, ensuring diverse livelihood opportunities to farmers for their improved well-being.

Ecosystem services assessment of Beledanga oxbow lake in the Gangetic plains: pathways to sustainable conservation

Oxbow lakes, formed from abandoned river meanders, are unique wetlands that play a crucial role in supporting aquatic biodiversity and sustaining local communities through their ecosystem services. This study focuses on the Beledanga oxbow lake, highlighting its ecosystem services and the critical role of hydrological connectivity with the adjacent river for maintaining ecological functionality and sustainability. Using the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment framework, the study assessed provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting services through field surveys, stakeholder consultations, and secondary data analysis. Results show that the lake provides essential provisioning services, such as fisheries and irrigation, which support local food security and income generation. It also plays a role in regulating services like water management and carbon sequestration, while its biodiversity underpins vital ecological functions, including nutrient cycling and habitat provision. However, challenges such as seasonal water scarcity and macrophyte infestation threaten the lake's productivity and connectivity with the river. The study emphasizes the need for collaborative efforts involving local stakeholders to devise water management strategies and remove macrophytes, utilizing government initiatives like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) for funding. Additionally, the establishment of robust monitoring systems for sustainable fisheries management and incentive programs for conservation efforts are recommended. The research highlights the importance of hydrological connectivity in sustaining the lake's ecosystem services and enhancing biodiversity. By integrating local knowledge and stakeholder engagement, this study provides valuable insights into the sustainable management of oxbow lakes and highlights the broader significance of river-oxbow lake connectivity in wetland conservation efforts. The findings also have implications for broader wetland conservation policies in similar ecosystems.

Cellfare: Delivering Self-Targeted Social Protection Using Mobile Phones

This article proposes a new form of self-targeted social protection scheme: beneficiaries carry out a series of small tasks on their mobile phones, each linked to a small payment. Key advantages over traditional public works include potentially large reductions in leakage, costs, and delays. The proposed scheme may also be suitable to wider demographics as it does not require physical labour and can be availed from home. A prototype implementation of a ‘cellfare’ scheme was tested in rural India, and 42 participants with experience of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, a large Indian public works programme, favourably compared the proposed scheme to the existing one.

Labour Market and Livelihood Practices in the Closed Tea Gardens of Darjeeling Hills, West Bengal

The research article attempts to capture the livelihood practices of labourers in Dooteriah, Kalej Valley and Peshok Tea Garden of Darjeeling Hills which were closed since 2015. The labourers of these tea gardens lost their regular employment and are engaged in activities like quarrying and extraction, subsistence cultivation, animal rearing, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), shops, agricultural labour or daily wager, etc. as per the prevailing conditions of local labour market. The labourers also outmigrate to distant cities and seek job in urban informal services. It is found that they are absorbed in MGNREGA for a period ranging from 40 days/per year in Dooteriah, 44 days/per year in Kalej Valley and 60 days/per year in Peshok and their average annual income is ₹8,080, ₹8,888 and ₹12,120, respectively. The variation of overall annual income of labourers after closure is very high as the coefficient of variation in Dooteriah is 87.60%, Kalej Valley is 70.83% and Peshok is 71.27%. This indicates the fluctuating pattern of job availability in local labour market and the absence of social protection has led to poverty trap to the labourers.

Estimating profile of the beneficiaries of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act and relational analysis of MGNREGA beneficiaries with impact

Estimating profile of the beneficiaries of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act and relational analysis of MGNREGA beneficiaries with impact

Impact of Mgnrega on Employment Generation in Karnataka

This study examines the impact of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) on employment generation in Karnataka. Using secondary data from official websites, the research highlights MGNREGA's significant role in providing wage employment and enhancing livelihood security for rural households. As of September 2024, over 80 lakh job cards have been issued, with a high employment fulfillment rate exceeding 98%. The program actively supports marginalized communities, with 18.15% of workers from Scheduled Castes and 10.71% from Scheduled Tribes. Overall, MGNREGA is a crucial mechanism for economic stability and poverty alleviation in rural Karnataka.