Mgnregs And Livelihoods In Migration-Prone Bolangir, Odisha
Abstract
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural
Employment Guarantee Scheme
(MGNREGS) was established to enhance
livelihood security for rural households by
guaranteeing a minimum of 100 days of
unskilled wage employment annually. This
study focuses on its impact within the
migration-prone blocks of Bolangir
District, Odisha, where persistent poverty
and unemployment have resulted in
significant distress migration. Utilizing a
mixed-methods approach, the research
employs both quantitative and qualitative
analyses to assess employment patterns,
income levels, and the overall socioeconomic
conditions of households
benefiting from the scheme. Data collected
through surveys and interviews reveal that
MGNREGS has significantly contributed
to reducing distress migration by
providing consistent employment
opportunities and enhancing household
incomes [1]. However, the study also
uncovers several implementation
challenges, including delays in wage
disbursement and limited awareness of
entitlements among beneficiaries. These
challenges hinder the full potential of
MGNREGS in transforming the livelihoods
of vulnerable populations. The findings
suggest that while MGNREGS is effective
in improving living standards, addressing
the existing obstacles is crucial for
maximizing its impact on livelihood
enhancement and ensuring sustainable
rural development in Bolangir District.
This paper contributes to the ongoing
discourse on rural employment schemes
and their effectiveness in migration-prone
regions.