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Subject: Home Science × Author: Balwinder Kaur × Start date: 1998 ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Impact assessment of MGNREGA consistent to its operational parameters in transforming quality of life of rural poor
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2016) Balwinder Kaur; Randhawa, Varinder
    The study aimed at assessing impact of MGNREGA on the quality of life of its beneficiaries belonging to all three socio-cultural regions i.e. Majha, Malwa and Doaba of Punjab state. A total of 11 districts were selected for the study (7 from Malwa, 2 from Doaba and 2 from Majha region) through probability proportionate to size sampling procedure. Two blocks per district, two villages per block and nine beneficiaries per village were further selected to complete a sample of 396 beneficiaries and 44 functionaries for the study. Interview schedule in five parts was prepared to elicit information regarding socio-personal profile, implementation procedure, awareness of beneficiaries and functionaries, wage employment, wage differential and impact of the scheme improving quality of life. The major findings revealed some irregularity in implementation of MGNREGA such as late payments to workers, lack of worksite facilities, non-maintenance of work and complaint registers and nonconductance of social audit. Workers got maximum 40-45 days of work which was much below the prescribed 100 days of employment.Overall, the beneficiaries had medium level of awareness about the provisions of right to employment (X= 0.83), gram panchayat responsibilities (X= 0.98), work procedure and wage rates (X=0.75), wage disbursement information (X=1.06). Whereas, low level of awareness was observed for indicators such as implementation procedure (X=0.50) and social audit (X=0.32). Beneficiaries were found seldom not aware of the basic guidelines regarding wage structures and other legal entitlements such as unemployment allowance, reimbursement of medical bills, basic facilities etc. On the contrary, the functionaries were found highly aware about all the provisions under the act. Major activities undertaken in MGNREGA were tree plantation, land leveling and flood protection and there was no wage differential observed in the different districts of Punjab. The impact was mainly by way of acquiring material possessions, food consumption and housing and sanitary conditions. Non-significant impact was found as far as expenditure on education, clothing and social life aspects were concerned. To make the scheme successful in improving quality of life of rural poor, it is very necessary that they should regularly participate in programme and share their difficulties and complaints regarding implementation of scheme. So, it can therefore be concluded that awareness needs to be generated amongst the beneficiaries through mass media and other campaigns for effective implementation and success of the scheme.