Agricultural Economics Research Review

The paper has analysed the impact of MGNREGA on out-migration, assets creation and provision of employment to the targeted families as well as problems being faced by the beneficiaries and their opinion for the smooth functioning of the scheme. The study is based on the data collected from a random sample of 100 beneficiaries selected from Sonpur panchayat in Rehli block of Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh pertaining to the year 2009–10. The study has indicated that MGNREGA has increased person-days employment, created productive assets, strengthened infrastructure, slowed down distress migration and empowered the women folk. Wage and farming have been reported to be main source of income by 97 per cent of the sample beneficiaries. The incremental income ( 2639) has not only enhanced the expenditure capacity of households but has also promoted their savings ( 39). The major problems reported by the respondents were low wage rate (78% respondents), delay in payment, delay in provision of work after registration, fake registrations, and unavailability of material at working place. Among the suggestions advocated by the respondents are: (i) MGNREGA must be viewed in terms of employment multiplier while preparing plans under this scheme, (ii) number of employment days under MGNREGA should be enhanced; (iii) the really poor and needy households should be identified carefully for providing employment.