Shobha NagnurShweta B. Kyatanagoudar2016-11-122016-11-122011http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/85237The research study was conducted during 2010-11 in Dharwad district of Karnataka state. In Dharwad taluk five panchayats were selected. Data was collected from one village from each of the panchayats, with a sample of 270 beneficiaries and 135 non-beneficiaries. Knowledge and attitude of the rural people regarding NREGS was studied. The findings revealed that there was significant difference between NREGS beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries with regard to knowledge (t=55.86) and attitude (t=97.50) of the NREGS. Ninety seven per cent of the beneficiaries had high knowledge about NREGS while only 3.7 per cent of non-beneficiaries had high knowledge. About 94.00 per cent beneficiaries had favourable attitude towards NREGS while none of the non-beneficiaries had a positive attitude towards the programme. Most beneficiaries had fovourable attitude because having registered for the work, they had high knowledge and better understanding of the social advantage of the programme. With regards to asset creation, beneficiaries were satisfied with the works taken up, like rural connectivity, construction of school compounds and flood control and protection which have greatly benefited the community. Beneficiaries faced some problems like, lack of sufficient work-site facilities like drinking water and crèche for women with young children. Suggestion for improvement of the programme were sought from the beneficiaries. About 93 per cent suggested that there should be increased wages and 70 per cent beneficiaries said that the number of working days should be increased beyond 100 days per year. The findings would therefore call for educating rural people about NREGS so that more number of people become aware about the programme. This would motivate larger number of rural folk to take advantage of the beneficiaries of this programme. The government should also note the shortcomings as posed by beneficiaries so that the programme would be more meaningful to the indented rural families.Extension and Communication ManagementThesis