Keywords
Employment Generation
Financial Expenditure
MGNREGA
Rural Marginalized
Underutilization
How to Cite
Abstract
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) has played a pivotal role in rural development in India by providing wage employment and improving the livelihoods of rural populations. This study critically examines the performance of MGNREGA in terms of social inclusion through providing wage employment to the marginalized communities like SC, ST and Women in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, from 2014 to 2023, focusing on employment trends, program inclusivity, and the structural challenges impacting its effectiveness. The analysis covers key factors such as job card issuance, active workers, employment days, and financial expenditure, with particular emphasis on the effects of the district reorganization in 2021. The findings reveal that while MGNREGA has made significant contributions to rural welfare, issues such as declining participation and inefficiencies in resource allocation have been exacerbated by administrative restructuring, highlighting the need for reforms to address these structural challenges and ensure more inclusive development.
References
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