Introduction
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is a social security measure that aims to provide livelihood security to people in rural areas by guaranteeing 100 days of wage employment in a financial year to every household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work.
Reducing Rural Poverty
One of the main aims of MGNREGA is to reduce rural poverty by providing employment opportunities to rural households. By ensuring that every household gets 100 days of wage employment, the program aims to improve the economic condition of rural families.
Ensuring Social Inclusion
MGNREGA also aims to ensure social inclusion by providing equal opportunities for men and women to participate in the program. It also aims to provide fair wages to people from marginalized communities, thereby reducing inequalities.
Creating Sustainable Assets
Another main aim of MGNREGA is to create sustainable assets in rural areas. The program focuses on creating assets like farm ponds, check dams, rural roads, etc., which not only provide employment opportunities but also contribute to the development of rural infrastructure.
Case Study: Andhra Pradesh
In Andhra Pradesh, MGNREGA has been effectively implemented to provide employment opportunities to rural households. By creating assets like check dams and farm ponds, the program has not only improved the economic condition of rural families but also contributed to the overall development of the region.
Statistics
- More than 230 million households have been provided employment under MGNREGA
- Over 50% of the beneficiaries are women
- More than 90% of the funds allocated for MGNREGA have been utilized
