Contemporary Practices of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme
Insights from Districts
- K. B. Saxena - Council for Social Development, New Delhi, India
SAGE Impact
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) is a major flagship programme of the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), Government of India, implemented since February 2006. Its primary objective is to expand wage employment besides natural resource management for sustainable development that addresses chronic poverty. The programme is also the largest rights-based social protection initiative in the world.
This report is a critical assessment of the implementation of MGNREGS, bringing out its promising aspects as well as weaknesses. The document would help officials and policymakers improve planning and execution of the programme. It would guide researchers and activists in gaining insights into the social dynamics of the process of implementation.
Undoubtedly, a useful addition to the increasing literature on MGNREGS. It is useful essentially because of its approach, candid explanations about the weakness of implementation and most importantly its focus on unexplored dimensions such as equity.