Evaluation Study of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) – 12 Districts of Uttar Pradesh (UP)

Aims & Objectives: This study evaluated the NREGA in UP on the basis of its implementation process, performance and impact (direct impact in providing gainful employment to the workers and indirect impact on the benefit of durable assets created in the villages under this scheme).

Methodology: It had a sample of 72 GPs selected from 24 blocks of 12 districts of UP, from each of which two works were selected (one ongoing and one completed). Data collected through extensive primary survey and Focus Group Discussions.

Findings:

• Low level of awareness on the provisions of the programs and redressal mechanisms among the sampled households has been the primarily instrumental in slowing down the NREGA activities in recent times;
• Although the response of the implementation agencies and the villagers differ about the process of implementations, in most of the villages it abides by the rulebook. However, a lot of complaints have been received about delayed and inappropriate payment of wages.
• Rural road is the most preferred asset built across the sampled districts;
• The villagers acknowledge the benefits of rural assets but expressed their doubts on the durability of the assets and
• Positive impact on gainful employment for the rural people, raising wage rate and women empowerment while reducing distressed migration.