Mr. Dhavale Sidhant Madhavrao
Abstract:
This paper examines the socio-economic impact of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) on marginal rural households in India, focusing on implementation efficiency, asset creation, and income stability. Using secondary national-level administrative data (NREGA MIS, Ministry of Rural Development releases, press statements) and a synthesis of recent empirical studies, the study documents trends in person-days generated, quality/type of assets created, and the scheme’s contribution to household income smoothing. Key findings: MGNREGS continues to generate large volumes of rural employment but person-days have fluctuated in recent years (notably lower in FY 2024–25 compared to pandemic years). Where implementation is strong (timely payments, adequate labour budgets, strong field monitoring), households report improved consumption smoothing, increased productive assets (water harvesting, land development), and greater women participation. Persistent issues include delays in wage payments, underfunding at state/district levels, and variability in asset quality and long-term productivity. Policy recommendations emphasize strengthened labour budgets, improved fund flows, enhanced asset-quality monitoring (GIS/mobile monitoring), convergence with livelihood programmes, and reinforced grievance and unemployment allowance enforcement.
