Impact assessment of mgnrega-2005 in rural areas: A study in NUH district of Haryana, India

The present study is an attempt to assess the impacts of implementation of MGNREGA-2005 in Nuh district of Haryana employing the secondary sources of data. Lying in the south-eastern bulge of the Indian state of Haryana, Nuh is one of the most backward districts in the country. Lack of resources, poor climatic conditions and limited means of livelihoods have pushed 63.18% population below the poverty line. In terms of literacy, access to health care facilities, infrastructure development etc. the district lags far behind as compared to other districts of the state. In this context, MGNREGA is not less than a boon to the natives as it legally provides for at least 100 days of guaranteed wage employment in rural areas of the country, thereby, ensuring their livelihood security. Outcomes of the study reveal that MGNREGA not only generated huge scale employment in the district but also empowered the women economically as well as promoted gender equality. The finding of the study also reveals that the act generated various community assets and increased the flow of money in the rural economy by providing money directly to the participating labors. In other words, we can say that MGNREGA benefitted the poor households as well strengthened the district's rural economy.