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Book part
Publication date: 4 December 2020

K. K. Tripathy and Sneha Kumari

A major chunk of rural people live on agriculture and other allied activities viz animal husbandry, dairying and fisheries, etc. Rural development constitutes of lot of big data…

Abstract

A major chunk of rural people live on agriculture and other allied activities viz animal husbandry, dairying and fisheries, etc. Rural development constitutes of lot of big data related to rural employment which has driven this study to address a research question that what is the application of big data in rural development with special reference to the world’s largest public works and wage employment generating poverty alleviation program – Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)? The concepts of MGNREGA are novel and innovative though the program continues to suffer from various rigidities depicted from the data. This drives us to the objectives of our research. The objective of the study is to explore literature and big data on rural development with special reference to MGNREGA, explore the upcoming challenges in rural employment with special reference to MGNREGA, identify gaps in existing literature and pave out future research direction. The present study paves various ways for future research directions for academicians, researchers and policy maker.

Details

Data Science and Analytics
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80043-877-4

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Article
Publication date: 13 February 2017

Sarabjeet D. Natesan and Rahul Ratnakar Marathe

How can efficiency of a welfare scheme be measured? The purpose of this paper is to develop an efficiency evaluation model, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee…

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Abstract

Purpose

How can efficiency of a welfare scheme be measured? The purpose of this paper is to develop an efficiency evaluation model, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) implementation efficiency model (MIEM), to evaluate the rural employment guarantee scheme in India.

Design/methodology/approach

MIEM employs data envelopment analysis (DEA) to compare relative efficiency of MGNREGA implementing states. It uses policy implementation process as a central “black-box” about which not much can be said, to account for state-wise implementation differences.

Findings

Based on administration, funds, expenditure, employment created, works executed and completed, women beneficiaries and households completing 100 days of employment, the MIEM captures current implementation efficiency and provides suggestions to propel inefficient states toward efficiency.

Practical implications

DEA has operationalized MGNREGA evaluation. As a decision support system, MIEM assists evaluators to develop guidelines from better performing states. It is anticipated that it will facilitate scaling up MGNREGA in inefficient states.

Social implications

The model developed here can be applied to diverse evaluation conditions thus leading to better utilization of scarce resources.

Originality/value

This paper is one of few to use DEA to evaluate MGNREGA, and is one of the first to evaluate all India implementing states on efficiency.

Details

International Journal of Social Economics, vol. 44 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0306-8293

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 April 2015

Nafisa Priti Sanga and Rajeev Kumar Ranjan

The purpose of this paper is to study Indian aspects of policy convergence in the context of budgetary linkage of two nationalized flagship programs – Mahatma Gandhi National…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study Indian aspects of policy convergence in the context of budgetary linkage of two nationalized flagship programs – Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and Integrated Watershed Management Program (IWMP). Therefore, in lieu of inter-departmental convergences; issues related to water resource development of Jharkhand’s (India) rain-fed areas were addressed.

Design/methodology/approach

Centered on policy convergence strategy, present study applied comprehensive review and analysis approach for formulation of research base. A conceptual framework was thus designed for analytical purposes and therefore advancing toward conjectural knowledge base.

Findings

Application of inter-departmental policy convergence strategy suggested ample opportunities for optimal water resource development. Presence of abundant wage labor, rich indigenous water management techniques, tested replicable models, under-harvested rainwater potential, etc., appeared as catalysts of policy convergence. Yet, State’s lack of inter-departmental coordination and grass-root institutional framework will continually challenge policy convergences in absence of good governance.

Originality/value

An initiative of Indian government; MGNREGA has received international attention due to its wider coverage including natural resource management, besides guaranteed wage employment. Targeted at freshwater management discourse of Jharkhand; present paper reviewed prospective inter-departmental policy convergence strategy within various arena of MGNREGA, by exploring associated scopes and challenges. Similarly for cost effectiveness, related to maintenance and lift-irrigation demands of rain-fed area development; the present study suggested optimum utilization of inter-departmental funding linkages for development of sustainable water resources.

Details

World Journal of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development, vol. 12 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-5945

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Article
Publication date: 31 May 2022

Dipankar Das

To run a job guarantee public policy scheme, it is important to know the aspiration level or the reference point of labor, and accordingly, the labor hour and the wage sequence…

Abstract

Purpose

To run a job guarantee public policy scheme, it is important to know the aspiration level or the reference point of labor, and accordingly, the labor hour and the wage sequence are to be prepared. The existing job guarantee schemes consider the same wage rates for all types of jobs. As a result, it is to identify the reference point. The present work aims to propose a job guarantee scheme where different types of jobs have different wage rates. The paper explains the choice problem between labor and leisure at different wage rates and proposes complete computational tools to be incorporated into the job guarantee schemes. The paper also gives a mechanism to prepare the list of jobs and corresponding wage rates by maintaining a balance between labor and leisure, where productive activities measure labor hours and labor welfare measures leisure hours. Lastly, the paper provides the analytical tools to interpret the ex-post data of the job guarantee public policy schemes.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper has been written based on the Coordination Game and its Welfare Implications in the job guarantee public policy schemes.

Findings

The present paper gives an initial work to measure the choice between labor and leisure for the different wage rates practically. This will help in getting the equilibrium strategies, namely, the combination of the labor hour and the wage rate between the policymaker and the labor. This method will help to implement the job guarantee schemes. For example, to run successfully the Basic Income policy, the basic income calculation should give due care; otherwise, there will be a downward trend in the basic income and the welfare of labor will be reduced, because the labor would have to supply excess labor to meet the target income.

Originality/value

This paper derives theories and explains how the equilibrium in this coordination game can be achieved. The paper explains how the policy of the job guarantee schemes can be practiced practically. In the MGNREGA scheme, the public institution declares different categories of jobs with different wage rates. The categories have been classified with respect to the hours required to complete the job. Therefore, the public institution declares different lists or a sequence of pairs of labor hours and wage rates. Moreover, the list is stochastic, because the list can be changed by the inclusion of an offer from the market as well. The labor has to select from the list. The challenge on the part of the public institution is to prepare the list in such a way so that the inclusion of the market offers will not distort the equilibrium of the coordination game. An important method has been proposed here to analyze the ex-post data of job offers so that the preparation of the future sequence of the job offers can be prepared with due care. One objective of the policymaker here is to make a list of job offers in such a way so that the labor supply will be converging to a point and that will not deviate if the wage rate increases further. This objective will make a balance of the distribution of funds between the existing registered labor and the new entrants into the job guarantee schemes.

Details

Journal of Economic Studies, vol. 50 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-3585

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 April 2014

Banhi Chakraborty

The purpose of this paper is to examine the success rate of MGNREGS as one of the major flagship programme aimed for employment generation for the rural unemployed through…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the success rate of MGNREGS as one of the major flagship programme aimed for employment generation for the rural unemployed through exploring the applicability of the schemes in the given sociogeographical diversities.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper attempts to reveal the relevance and outcome of MGNREGS in the context of rural labour market situation at different levels of the decentralised governance, using data published by the Ministry of Labour and employment at first stage, in addition to web-supported database of Ministry of Rural Development, and it also attempts, through case studies, to find out the root causes of anomalies at ground levels those intricate the performances at successive levels.

Findings

The paper shows how the structural deficiencies of the programme being added with procedural lapses affecting the realisation of the expected benefits.

Research limitations/implications

The research findings are relevant with the particular socio-geographical situation which may have less applicability in areas of much favourable agro-climatic conditions.

Practical implications

The directions the paper could established will help in policy reform at State and Central levels. Special emphasis given on in-built lapses has implications in re-framing the schemes considering the feasibility of the local situations.

Social implications

The work attempted at the present set-up where the institution's mainstream direction is focused towards technological inputs dissemination both at teaching and research levels, may draw attention equally for understanding the social relevance of technology and it's application in particular.

Originality/value

The paper attempts to examine the intricacies involved in application of broad-base public-work programme in reality and suggested necessary corrections through adopting area-specific policies.

Details

International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, vol. 34 no. 3/4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-333X

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Article
Publication date: 4 December 2017

Arghya Kusum Mukherjee

The purpose of this paper is to find the determinants of participation and targeting efficiency of the following safety net programs in West Bengal: Mahatma Gandhi National Rural…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to find the determinants of participation and targeting efficiency of the following safety net programs in West Bengal: Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA), self-targeted program; National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), subsidy based livelihood program; Indira Awaas Yojona (IAY), targeted cash transfer program and Public Distribution System (PDS), targeted in kind transfer program.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on a household survey comprising 900 households across three Districts: Murshidabad, Nadia and Burdwan.

Findings

Benefits from MNREGA and PDS are not substantial, whereas financial benefits are substantial from NRLM and IAY. This paper shows that poor people have higher likelihood of participation in MNREGA and PDS. But, non poor get disproportionate benefits from IAY and NRLM both have been designed for the poor. Therefore, targeting cannot remove elite capture altogether. Socially down trodden section have higher participation in MNREGA and PDS, whereas people who are at upper tier of social hierarchy enjoy the benefits of IAY and NRLM. However, it cannot be said that these programs miss their target completely.

Practical implications

The study suffers from the usual limitations of sampling.

Social implications

Programs targeted for the poor are being appropriated by the non poor. If there is better targeting money will be channelized to the desired beneficiaries and welfare will be enhanced.

Originality/value

The study has unearthed the underlying reasons behind why some safety net programs have better targeting and some safety net programs have poor targeting.

Details

International Journal of Social Economics, vol. 44 no. 12
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0306-8293

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 January 2018

Arghya Kusum Mukherjee

In general, the return from participation in MNREGA will be highest for those women whose mobility and social interaction is least impeded by conservative social norms. However…

Abstract

Purpose

In general, the return from participation in MNREGA will be highest for those women whose mobility and social interaction is least impeded by conservative social norms. However, if any intervention enhances knowledge base, or challenges traditional norms of gender, then return from that intervention may be highest for those women impede most by conservative social norms. It may be interpreted as non-monotonic effect of restrictedness across caste and religion. The purpose of this paper is to examine non-monotonicity hypothesis of social restrictedness for the intervention MNREGA.

Design/methodology/approach

Using primary data from three districts of West Bengal, the paper has tried to see whether there exists any non-monotonic effect of restrictedness on household’s “expenditure on consumption,” “expenditure on temptation good,” “expenditure on women’s health” and “expenditure on children’s education and health” across castes and religion. The sample is relatively homogeneous in terms of socio economic status, but differs in affiliation to castes and religion.

Findings

As a result of participating the labor force through MNREGA, the contribution of women to household earnings increases, which may potentially increase their bargaining power within the household. The conventional notion is that women who are least fettered by social norms should get maximum benefits of participation in MNREGA. However, the analysis shows that women of upper caste (UC) community have been able to exercise the highest level of agency in allocating household resources compared to the women of scheduled caste community. It substantiates the non-monotonicity of restrictedness of social norms across castes and religions. Agency of Muslim women has not increased significantly compared to the UC women.

Research limitations/implications

The study suffers from usual limitations of sampling.

Originality/value

There is hardly any study deciphering MNREGA from the perspective of caste, religion and gender.

Details

International Journal of Social Economics, vol. 45 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0306-8293

Keywords

Abstract

Details

Social Sector Development and Inclusive Growth in India
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83753-187-5

Content available
Book part
Publication date: 4 December 2020

Abstract

Details

Data Science and Analytics
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80043-877-4

Book part
Publication date: 4 December 2020

Abstract

Details

Data Science and Analytics
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80043-877-4

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