English - mgnrega

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural
Employment Guarantee Act

Contents
Introduction 01
Andhra Pradesh 04
Assam 10
Chhattisgarh 14
Gujarat 20
Himachal Pradesh 24
Jammu & Kashmir 28
Jharkhand 32
Karnataka 36
Kerala 40
Madhya Pradesh 44
Maharashtra 50
Mizoram 54
Nagaland 58
Odisha 62
Punjab 66
Rajasthan 70
Sikkim 74
Tamil Nadu 80
Tripura 84
Uttarakhand 88
Uttar Pradesh 92
West Bengal 96

1
Introduction
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment
Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), with its legal framework
and rights - based approach, aims at enhancing livelihood
security by providing upto one hundred days of guaranteed
wage employment in a financial year to every rural household
whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual
work. The Act is currently being implemented in 626 rural
districts of the country.

Mahatma Gandhi NREGA is the first ever law internationally
that guarantees wage employment at an unprecedented
scale. The primary objective of the Act is augmenting wage
employment. The auxiliary objective is strengthening natural
resource management through works that address causes of
chronic poverty like drought, deforestation and soil erosion
and thus encourage sustainable development.
Mahatma Gandhi NREGA has been a vehicle for inclusive
growth and the marginalized sections of society have high
percentage of participation under the Act. The participation
rate of Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) in
FY 2010-11 is 52 %. The States with high SC participation are
Punjab (78%), Tamil Nadu (58%) and Uttar Pradesh (54%).
The States with high ST participation are Mizoram (99.8%),
Megalaya (95%) and Arunachal Pradesh (90%). Women
participation is higher than the mandated 33% and in the
current year the women participation is 49%.
The Act has augmented household income and the average
wage rate has increased from `65 in FY 2006-07 to `100 in
FY 2010-11. Post-MGNREGA, there has been a revision of
minimum wage for agricultural labourers across the country.
In order to increase transparency and bring the rural poor
under the organized banking sector and credit system,
agencies for wage payment are being separated from
implementing agencies through accounts-based wage
payment. Initial experiments in the use of smart cards and
biometric signatures for wage payment to Mahatma Gandhi
NREGA workers in remote villages are being supported.
An Ombudsman for effective grievance redressal is being
instituted for each district. Ombudsman will be an agency
independent of the Central and State governments. The
Ombudsman will receive complaints from Mahatma Gandhi
NREGA workers and others on any matter, consider such
complaints and facilitate their disposal in accordance with law.
The Ombudsman will be appointed by the State Government
on the recommendation of the selection committee. Summary
report of cases disposed by Ombudsman will be reported to
the State Council and will also form part of the Annual Report
to be placed in the Legislative Assembly.
2

ANDHRA Pradesh
4

5
Andhra PRADESH
Andhra Experiences
Thota Obanna from R. Nadimpalle village in Ramasamudram
mandal, Chittoor with the MGNREGS wage earnings has
performed his daughter’s marriage with dignity. He is also
supporting his brother’s son’s education. He no longer goes
to Bangalore in search of work as he now gets wages between
`90 - 120/- per day under MGNREGS in his own village as
compared to `60-70/- per day (in Bangalore). He and his
family members: his wife, brother, brother’s wife, and father
are Mahatma Gandhi NREGS beneficiaries since 2006.
Karamala Sarasamma from R Nadimpalli village in Punganur
mandal, Chittoor feels MGNREGS is a great support to landless
widows like her to run the family. With the wage income,
she feeds her children thrice a day and is able to pay their
school fee, provide good clothes and meet all the day to day
requirements and expenses.

Venku Naik a Scheduled Tribe (Sugali tribe) wage seeker
residing in PMK Thanda in Ramkuppam mandal, Chittoor
purchased a Jersey cow with the wages he earned under
MGNREGS. He feeds his cow with green grass grown in his
land levelled under MGNREGS. With this he also supplements
his MGNREGS earnings. He currently earns `3600 -5400/- per
month as regular income by selling milk, besides his wages of
at least `4000 -5000/- per month from MGNREGS works. From
the earned income, he regularly sends `700/- to `1000/- every
month to his daughter who is studying in Tirupati.
Thirty Five Year old Subamma of Chandramkulpalli GP,
Punganur Mandal, Chittoor, works in the plantation fields. With
her earnings she is able to provide her family with full meals
(dal, tomatoes, rice) which earlier consisted of Sanghati, two
ragi balls each.
6

7
P. Susheela is a Scheduled Tribe wage-seeker from Rayagadh
Jammu village in GL Puram mandal, Vizianagaram. With the
wage earnings, she purchased a pair of 4 month- old goats
for `1000/ each for rearing with an intention to develop a
herd. With the confidence of assured MGNREGS earnings,
she has taken the responsibility of feeding and taking care of
her brother’s (who passed away in an accident) children in
addition to providing for their education. She also regularly
sends a monthly amount of ` 300-500/- to her niece studying in
Vizianagaram to pay for her hostel and other expenses.
Puvvula Dhannu a ST farmer from Raigadajammu, GL Puram,
Vizianagaram is grateful for the land leveling work in his 2 acres
paddy field which has increased the area for paddy production.
He harvested 13 bags of additional paddy now. From the wage
earnings he is meeting day to day family expenses and also
sends every month `1000/- to his daughters studying for their
intermediate levels in Vizianagaram.

Chinna Ranganna Gari Chandrasekhar from R. Nadimpalli
village in Ramasamudram mandal proudly mentioned
that from his EGS wage savings, he spent `50,000/- for
his daughter’s marriage. He also repaid a loan amount of
`5,000/- and is able to meet primary household requirements
and expenses besides providing for education of his two
daughters studying in Inter 1 st year and 8 th class.
New Model for Success
in Andhra
Anchekatti Rangaswamy, 19 year old in Kurnool
district of Andhra Pradesh, during his summer break
from college will make the rocky land, belonging
to marginal farmers in the area, slightly more
cultivable. And the wages the teenager will earn
from the job under the Mahatma Gandhi National
Rural Employment Guarantee Act will go towards
realizing his dream of attaining a management
degree and becoming a corporate executive.
“I need at least `8,000 for my college fees and books
in B.Com last year and I hope to earn at least `4,000
during this summer vacation through MGNREGA
wages”
- says Rangaswamy
Source: LIVEMINT
8

ASSAM
10

11
ASSAM
Increase in Area, Production and
Productivity of Agriculture through
MGNREGS
District : Nagaon
Micro and small irrigation development works under
MGNREGS result in steady increase in single cropping
pattern to double cropping pattern with increase in irrigation
and other facilities. The maximum benefit is for summer
paddy cultivating areas where farmers can go for vertical
expansion of areas with High Yielding Varities (HYVs) and
Hybrids. Major contribution of area expansion in rice was
evident through summer paddy cultivation, wherein there is
virtually no risk of flood and drought.

Improved Livelihood of
Farmers
The MGNREG Schemes have improved rural connectivity
and access in farming areas, and as a result farmers from
the hinterland areas could get better marketing facilities,
visible improvement in their livelihood and food security.
The classic example is indirect effect of MGNREGS on paddy
procurement in Nagaon district where farmers used to sell
their products to the local merchants and get minimal prices.
Now more farmers are willing to sell their produces in the
procurement centres and this year District Administration is
planning to open more procurement centers in the district,
covering all paddy growing areas.
12

CHHATTISGARH
14

15
CHHATTISGARH
Leveling of Tribal Lands
District : Kabeerdham
Gram Panchayat : Borla
Village : Jhalmalla
The land belonging to the tribals in
village Jhalmala, Gram Panchayat
Bordla was of undulating nature. The
land development department and
MGNREGA has helped in leveling such
lands. This has helped in rendering the
land fit for agricultural practices, thereby
increasing the productivity of land and
income of the tribal population.
The assets are created mostly by the
marginalized sections of the society.
Once the assets created become
functional they are utilized by all
sections of the society, the barriers
relating to caste, creed and colour
which once existed are no more valid.
The concept of mutual sharing of
benefits of assets (availability of water),
utilizing them and also conserving
them has taken place. This is a perfect
example of social cohesion which is an
outcome of MGNREGA.

Voices from the field
“Jameen ubar khabar thi to kheti nahin ho paati thi.
NREGA se sarkar ney isko upjau bana diya”
“Land was undulating so agriculture could not be done,
NREGA has made it productive.”
- Villagers views
“Check dam se hamare purey gaon ko paani mil gaya.
Jo kuwey sookh gaye thei, wey jinda ho
gaye”.
“Check dam has provided water to our village, the
wells which had dried have got recharged.”
- Kholwa
16

17
The aged and physically challenged have
become productive human resource owing
to MGNREGA. They are not doing physical
labour but instead are facilitating the families
who do the earth work, by taking care of their
infants and children in the crèche.
A physically challenged who had no
expectation of work, is now working as
mate and is undertaking the responsibility
efficiently. His education is being put to use
and he is able to fend for himself.

Voices from the Field
“NREGS humarey liye vardan hey, ab bachhe izzat se pesh
aatey hai”.
“NREGS is a blessing for us, children now behave with
dignity.”
- Pramod s/o Ashok, Chilpi
“Humney kabhi bank sey apne aap paise nikaalney ka
nahin socha tha NREGA ney yeh sach kara diya – woh bhi
machine se”
“We had never thought of withdrawing money from bank,
NREGA has made it a reality and that too by Machine.”
- Anita Bai – Sukuldhian, Rajnandgaon
“NREGA ne humko pursho ke barabar majdoori diladi jo
pahele nahi milti thi. Sarkar ko dhanyawad”
“NREGA has brought wage parity with men which we never
got previously. Thanks to Government.”
- Savitri Sahu, Rajnandgaon
“Bank jana ek sapna tha. Hamne kabhi nahi socha tha ke
hum bank se paise layege. NREGA ne hamara sapna saakaar
kar diya”
“Going to bank was a dream. We had never thought that
we will bring money from bank. NREGA has fulfilled our
dream.”
- Lalita Yadav, Gariaband,Raipur
“Jo Dukandar pahle muh pher leta tha abb bula kar udhar
deta hai aur kehta jab majdoori miley de dena.”
“The shopkeeper who used to ignore us now calls us and
gives goods on credit and says pay when you get wages.”
- Kaushalya Nair, Dongargarh
18

GujArat
20

21
GujArat
In Kundrodi Gram Panchayat of
Kachchh districts, convergence of
MGNREGA is with Malkhakiya Suvidha
(C.C Road), Gram Panchayat( Pipe line
for drinking water supply), Indira Awaas
Yojana, 12th Finance Commission,
DWDU(District Wasteland and
Development Unit) Solar Street Lights.
The village Panchayat is providing
free drinking water to the settlement
developed under IAY. The Pashchim
Gujarat VIJ Company is providing
electricity free of cost to this Awaas
Yojana.
This has virtually transformed the life of
poverty stricken population living in the
village. They now live in neat and clean
environment and take better care of
their children thus leading a quality life.
In District Junagarh, the local population
and youth have contributed money
to the Panchayat. This money was
converged with MGNREGA, resulting in
construction of the bridge which could
not be developed in past 30 years ,thus
facilitating smooth access of the villagers
to the nearest town.
In Ratanpur Village of District Porbander,
defunct mines have been converted into
water tanks through convergence. This
has resulted in increase in income of the
farmers as the flood waters have been
channelized, harvested and used for
irrigation purpose during lean season
and weak monsoon period. The two
adjoining Nagar Palikas-Porbander and
Chaya have thus been saved from floods.

Voices from the field
“Parivar mein hum dono ke panch kanya hei, hum log makan
milne se bahut sukhi hei. NREGA mein kaam milnese ab
bacchiya padney jaati hei. Khana peena bhi accha ho gaya
hei. Meri ek bacchi bhukump se Goongi aur Bahri ho gayi
hei.”
“There are five daughters in our family, we are happy to get a
house. One of my daughter had become deaf and dumb due
to the impact of earthquake. Working in Mahatma Gandhi
NREGA has helped my daughter to go to school and the food
intake has also improved.”
- Chak Bai, Village Kundrodi
Mainey yahan dukan laga liya hai kyoki yaha aamdani
jaida hoti hai. Roj 150 se 200 rupey kamaa leta hoon.
“I have set up a kiosk here because the income is better.
I earn `150/- to `200/ daily.”
- Local Shopkeeper, Kachch
“NREGA hamare liye bhagwan hei” pichle 30 saal se gaon
wale koshish kar rahe the par yeh pul nahi ban pa raha
that, kitni sarkar aayi aur chali gayi, Barsaat mei bimaar
bade, buddhey, aurat ko shehar le jana badaa mushkil
tha, par NREGA ke aane se gaon walon ne mil kar yeh pul
banna liya.”
“NREGA is like ‘God to Us’. We have been able to construct
a bridge whose construction was pending since 30 years,
many governments changed but with no result. It was
difficult for the villagers to go to town during rainy season
but with the help of NREGA we have made the bridge.”
- Solanki Jeevan Bhai,Committee incharge
22

Himachal Pradesh
24

25
Himachal PRADESH
Garima Green Gold Samiti
Saloni - Convergence of
MGNREGA
District : Chamba
Block : Saloni
An example of convergence is seen
in Saloni Block of Chamba district
where a vegetable collection centre has
been created. Here off season vegetables
are sold in retail and are bought by
even retailers from other States. The
collection centre named Garima Green
Gold Samiti Saloni is created with
the help of SHG and vegetables are
collected from as many as 50 villages.
The turnover recorded was `1.5 crore.
The MGNREGA has been phenomenal
in providing irrigation facilities where
vegetables are grown under SHG
KRANTI and rural connectivity which
in turn enabled the farmers to easily sell
their produce in nearby centers.

An Example of Rural Connectivity
District : Kangra
Block : Bhanwan
An inhabitation was situated at a height and was difficult
to access in Bhanwan block of Kangra district. At times of
health emergencies the patients were carried to the medical
centre with extreme difficulty on foot only. With the initiative
of a few locals who voluntarily donated piece of land to
construct a path way, a road has been constructed which,
could be easily accessible by jeep. The work was constructed
under MGNREGS, with the convergence of PMGSY.
In the Sirathana village of Nageota Bagban, a bridge has
been constructed with 15% public support and 85% govt.
aid along with MGNREGA labour. This bridge has connected
more than 20 villages with the main road. Before this, people
had to travel 12km to access the main road.
Desiltation of Traditional Water body
has Rejuvenated Agriculture
District : Kangra
Block : Kangra
In Kangra Block, Kangra district a traditional water body
was desilted under MGNREGA with the convergence of
IWDP. This water body has become a permanent asset for
the local population. Besides a kuhul was created under
MGNREGA in convergence with watershed project.
Through this Kuhul water goes to the agricultural fields
connected to it. Earlier the water current flushed the muddy
channels, which frequently got damaged and flooded the
fields and the surrounding land.
Voice from the field
“Ab barsat ka pani barbaad aur nuksan nahi karta hai kyoki
sara paani istmaal ke layek ho jata hai jo kheto mein kaam
aa jata hai.”
26

Jammu & KASHMIR
28

29
Jammu & kashmir
Residents of Rajouri have Employment
Locally with MGNREGA
With the employment awarded to
them under Mahatma Gandhi
National Rural Employment Guarantee
Act (MGNREGA), residents in Rajouri
District of Kashmir are happy that with
the implementation of this scheme, they
have found work in their own district.
They said that they are now saved from
the trouble of traveling to other states in
search of employment.
“Since MGNREGA has started, lots
of people have come forward and
participated in the scheme. Most
labourers started working locally and
today NREGA provides employment
to every household and people are
saved from going to find work in Katra
or Shimla,” said Shaqbir Ahmed, a
resident.
The most significant gainers of the
scheme were women, as they have
got the opportunity to break the social
shackles of male dependency and be
self-sufficient.
“There was once a time when women
were not allowed to step out of the house
and women were not independent. Men
had the responsibility of taking care of
all the needs of women. Women were
completely dependant on men. But now
the times have changed and women are
working in MGNREGA, they are getting

good rewards for their labour and now the participation of
women has increased more than men,” Ahmed added.
Under the Programme, any villager can go to a nearby
government office and enroll for building roads, digging
wells or creating other rural infrastructure and be paid the
minimum wage for 100 days a year.
The income has helped improve food intake and reduced
child labour, especially at times when crops fail or prices
shoot up. The consumption of food commodities has
increased in the rural areas as new markets have emerged
and shored up growth when investment has faltered.
Costing one percent of the GDP, the MGNREGA is the largest
of India’s welfare schemes designed to protect the country’s
500 million poor who live on less than 1.25 dollars a day.
Source : NEWSTRACKINDIA
30

Jharkhand
32

33
Jharkhand
District : Pakur
Block : Hiranpur
new pond has generated the
A feeling of sharing of resources for
maximization of benefits. The villagers
are using ponds for fisheries and are
enjoying the produce.
MGNREGA has created assets which
are used by all sections of society.
All sections of society now use these
resources jointly and they have also
started participating in social functions
and jointly organized a religious
festival.
The siphon system of irrigation in Pakur
is really commendable and can be
adopted in other areas having similar
uneven terrain.
The SC, ST and BPL population who
were having no land holdings and were
working as bonded labour at farms of rich
land lords have become free from their
clutches owing to MGNREGA projects.
Their wage structure has also changed
as they get higher wage rate in the local
market or in domestic chores. This has
given them dignity in the society.
The land leveling, pond development
and irrigation projects on the lands
of SC, ST and BPL have made their
lands more productive. They are
now able to get higher agriculture
production, thus resulting in higher
income. The consumption pattern of
these marginalized sections have also
improved, they enjoy better health,
good clothing and improved dietary
habits.

Voices from the field
“Bahut machhi hua, purey gaon ke log ney milkar khaya”.
“Plenty of fish was produced, whole village ate it.”
- Lem Tudu,Abhua,Pakur
“Sadak ban jane se aane jaane mey subhida ho gaya. Ab
bazaar se samaan la saktey hain”
“Road has helped in easy mobility, now we can bring goods
from market.”
- Kamdeo Mandal,Gumpur,Deoghar
“Bhagwan NREGA kaa bhala kare ab paise kamaney lagey
hai to bachey bhi khyal kartey hain.”
“God bless NREGA. We have started earning, and taking
care of children.”
- Rohit Das, Jiyakhoda, Sarwan, Deoghar
“Mahatma Gandhi NREGA mey kaam karkey talab ban
jayega jo poorey gaon ke kaam ayega. Ajeevan kaam
ayega.”
“Working in Mahatma Gandhi NREGA will help in
development of pond which will benefit the whole village.”
-Soni Devi, Abhua, Pakur
34

Karnataka
36

37
Karnataka
Blossoming Roses ring in a
Promising Life
District : Dharwad
Taluka : Hubli
Gram Panchayat : Rayanala
Basappa Hanumanthappa Navalur
is a villager belonging to
Devaragudihala village in Rayanala
Gram Panchayat in Hubli taluk of the
Dharwad district. He is a poor farmer
who is in possession of just one acre of
land. He would normally grow maize
and cotton in his land. He was earning
about 10-12 thousand rupees per
annum. It was not adequate for a family
with husband, wife and three children.
After all what could the poor man do!
He used to work in others’ fields and
earn some wages to compensate the
shortage. Saving money was a distant
dream for him. It was not possible for
him to send his children to school or
get them good clothes.
At the Gram Sabha, Basappa placed
a proposal of cultivating roses in his
field and requested the concerned
officers to consider his request. He
got a work order and his work started
under the guidance of the horticulture
department. Basappa worked in his
own field and got wages for his sweat
and he got wages for the other workers

also. Basappa cultivated a rose garden with 2200 rose plants.
Now he is growing about 1000-1200 roses in his field-garden.
Earlier Basappa would earn about `1000 in a month whereas
his income has risen to about `450 - `500 per day today.
He himself takes his roses and sells them in the market. His
income is increasing day by day. Now he is considered to be
a model farmer in the village and many others want to follow
his footsteps. Basappa today is able to give good education to
his children. He has now really grown into an economically
sound person.
Makes the Impossible Possible…
District : Shimoga
Taluka : Sorba
Gram Panchayat : Hanchi
Few years ago summer was carrying summons of
migration to the residents of Hanchi Gram Panchayath,
Sorba taluk. Except few aged in the houses, others were
not found in the village. The entire village used to be
desolate. Employment was generated only during the rainy
season and after that agricultural labourers migrated for
employment to coffee estates or Mangalore region.
The desilting of Talawar cistern began in 2008-09 under
MGNREGA and got completed after about a year, that is, in
2009-10. This project involved many other supplementary
works like desilting, strengthening the boundaries, etc.
Hundreds of workers from the village engaged in this
activity, strived for development and in return secured
means of livelihood.
Source: ABDUL NAZEER SAB STATE
INSTITUTE OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
38

KERALA
40

41
Kerala
The Multiplier Effect of Mahatma
Gandhi NREGA
Parijan, a member of the traditional orthodox Muslim
family is around 40 years of age. She was married to
Abdul Rehman in 1987 when she was 18 years old. She
became a servant maid and agricultural laborer to run her
family after her husband met with an accident. She has two
daughters and the family lives in a hut. She registered and
started working under the scheme.
The wages she earned during the initial period was mainly
spent on consumption expenditure. Later she could save
some money and with that she started a canteen within the
premises of panchayat. She feels that MGNREGA has not
only helped her to earn wages, but also enabled her to start
a micro-enterprise which has now become an important
source of livelihood.

Age has not Withered away
the Spirit to Work
District : Aleppey
Gram Panchayat : Nedumudi
O
. Kunjamma (72 years), a senior citizen, has seven
children; all of them are settled. She joined MGNREGS.
The work taken up in her ward under the scheme was
removal of weeds from the Bhoothapandam lake. She
actively participated in the work. She was quite happy as
she could earn at this stage, she could do some useful work
in the village and she could spend the wages earned for a
productive purpose viz., construction of a house for her son.
Mahatma Gandhi NREGS Enabled
Released from the Vicious Cycle of
Poverty
District : Palakkad
Block : Chittor
Gram Panchayat : Pattancherry
Karthiyani and Vasanthi are two sisters from ST group
in Nandiyodu hamlet of Pattancherry Gram Panchayat.
Their family was in the grip of the vicious cycle of poverty.
It is at this juncture they came to know about MGNREGS
through Kudumbashri and registered themselves under
the Scheme. They were active participants of MGNREGS.
After 2 years of work, they have a bank balance of `20,000.
MGNREGS provides assured work with a minimum wage
of `125/- per day. They have plans to construct a new
house through IAY (Indira Awas Yojana) with an additional
contribution from their own savings.
Source: www.crdkeralagov.in
42

MAdhya PRADESH
44

45
Madhya Pradesh
District : Shahdol
Block : Sohagpur
Gram Panchayat : Harra Tola
Khojram Singh said that the
MGNREGS has transformed his
life. Till 2007, Khojram worked as a
casual labourer on the farms of others
to eke out a meager living to sustain
his family while a major part of his
own land lay fallow without irrigation.
With MGNREGA support for his land,
his financial condition has taken
an upward swing; he has not only
become self sufficient but is also able
to expand his assets and make further
improvements on his land. Through
his earnings, he has further expanded
his assets and purchased a diesel pump
replacing the old one, a pick-up van
to market the produce, paid off his old
loans, and constructed a new house
next to the old dilapidated one which
he utilizes to store his yield of onions.
He exemplifies a rare case where an
agricultural labourer has turned into a
farmer and made several improvements
on his land in addition to providing for
family needs.
Mesram is eternally indebted to
MGNREGS for changing the landscape
of agriculture in his village. MGNREGA,
according to him, has been the best
thing for farmers like him as it has fixed
the water crisis. Mesram’s quality of life
has improved. As he says, pehle hum
kamzor the…daal chutney par guzaara
karte the par ab shaak sabzi khatey hai
(we were deprived, used to survive

on daal and chutney but now we eat vegetables). With the
increase in income, Mesram could get his son and daughter
married off with dignity. He is currently building a shed on
his farm to keep the water pump he has recently purchased.
Mesram is a role model for Karaiya tola, he has inspired many
people in his village to follow his example.
District : Shahdol
Block : Gohparu
Gram Panchayat : Pulsau
Ram Gopal Kanchi, Pulsau Gram Panchayat, Gohparu,
Shahdol: “My education helped me in seeking
information and taking advantage of government schemes.”
MGNREGA support has made a significant difference to his
life. He has even installed a diesel pump and sows 3 crops
a year now which fetch him good income. He maintains a
good rapport with the Gram Panchayat members and attends
Gram Sabha meetings. He acknowledges that his education
has helped him seek information and take advantage of the
government schemes to become self reliant. He is currently
educating his three children and claims that the regular
income and full time employment on his land will take care
of his family’s needs.
Rajdhar Shukla, Barha Village, Gohparu, Shahdol (a
physically challenged person): MGNREGA has given me a
new identity…” His new found confidence and a ‘working’
image helped him to resuscitate himself from the previous
pitiable existence. He was however not aware of the special
emphasis within the Act on inclusion of persons with
disabilities in MGNREGA. He is beholden to the Panchayat
for having restored his dignity and for helping him to lead
a ‘normal’ life. Evidently his family too is happy with his
income earning capability. To Rajdhar, MGNREGA had
changed his economic situation, self respect and recognition
in the community as a productive member. Thakur Baiga,
Bandhavbada, Sohagpur, Shahdol: My misery is over…...”.
Thakur Baiga used to go for Gram Sabha meetings off and
on.. His weary eyes had seen a lot of rural development
schemes but MGNREGA with its support has brought
smiles on people’s faces. It has brought about a positive
change in his village. He is hopeful that in coming years,
46

47
with MGNREGA support, his village will be able to mitigate
the perennial water crisis thereby augmenting livelihood
opportunities for many distressed households. The families feel
more secure; sons no longer migrate; and they have job card and
earn wages through work announced by Panchayat. However,
his only appeal is to have the number of days increased from
100 to 300 under MGNREGA and that each adult should get a
job card irrespective of the chullhas in the family.
Nutritional Security through MGNREGA
District : Dhar
Block Taluka : Sardarpur
Gram Panchayat : Foottalab, Sandla
Women in Foottalab Village say, “Yes we do go to other
places, when there is no work we still need to eat to
survive. We go to Gujarat- there we get some construction work,
some people engage in digging work, road construction, etc.

One has to do all kinds of work. When we get MGNREGA
income, we buy food items such as pulses, fish, meat, cereals,
occasionally we buy chicken also. When MGNREGA work
and income is not there, we eat onion and chapattis made
of corn flour or we make curry by mixing corn flour in water
and eat it with chapattis made of corn flour. When we have
income from MGNREGA we buy pulses and potato, chilly
powder, masala, and green leafy vegetables”.
Women in Sandla village say, “when we work in the field we
earn `60/- and when we work for MGNREGA we earn `100/-.
Our purchase is dependent on how much we earn. If we earn
`60/- when we work in agricultural fields, we purchase less
(in quantity) and if we earn `100/- we purchase more. We
buy less oil, less spices, or very little pulses. But when we do
government work (Sarkari kaam) we get additional `40/-. We
use this to buy pulses, we can buy rice also. There are times
when we have only bought pulses. With additional earning
we purchase vegetables, pulses, tomato, spinach, etc. Earlier
we use to buy only corn, but when we do have money we also
buy wheat also”.
The maximum amount of expenses from this income is on
children, as the children are young, if they see something and
ask for it, we have to buy. Then there are expenses on children’s
education as well. After that there is expense on food. ‘Yes we
buy spices for one week. We purchase according to money
that is in hand. If we don’t do this labour work, we tend to
remain hungry’.
Source: http://www.intrahealth.org/page/vistaar-project
48

MAHARASHTRA
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51
MAHARASHTRA
Melghat scripts MGNREGA
Success Story
District : Vidarbha’s Amravati
Area : Melaghat
Innovations by the Department of
Post and the district administration
in the hilly Melghat area in Vidarbha’s
Amravati district have helped script
MGNREGA success story with few
parallels, an effort that has worked
largely around what has come to be
known as the Melghat pattern.
Over the last 15 months, beneficiaries
have earned enough not just for their
basic needs, but also to buy motorbikes,
mobile phones and gold. They
have better crops and are no longer
borrowing, and migration for jobs has
dropped 50 per cent.
The expeditious disbursal of wages
within 15 days is the factor behind the
success. The Melghat pattern is keeping
a rolling fund in Paratwada head Post-
Office and transporting the money
through vans to sub-POs. The sub-
POs are allowed to take entries of not
more than `10,000, so a way out was
found to get multiple entries of 10,000
to deposit big money that was then
quickly distributed.

Another innovation is a dedicated set-up called guardian
engineers, all civil engineers from Government Departments,
to prepare estimates of works. The Maharashtra Government
has since institutionalised the arrangement.
Over 500 wells have been created for individual beneficiaries.
The landscape is now dotted with stone bunds called loose
boulder structures. Earthen dams, cement plugs, continuous
contour trenches, plantations and nurseries are coming
up; water bodies are being desilted; nullahs are being
straightened.
Kohama sarpanch Sobiram Kasdekar says the `22 lakh
received by 2,369 people has brought down migration to
virtually nil.
Source: Indian Express
People voice
“From my four acres I used to produce five sacks of
soyabean. Now I get more than eight. I worked as
labourer on my own field to construct a stone weir
that prevented erosion and ensured better rainwater
seepage. And since the stones were picked out, my
soil became more fertile. And I got wages for it too.”
Birju Gopal Bachle, Doma gram panchayat in
Chikhaldara
52

MIZORAM
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55
Mizoram
Labourer becomes a Shop Owner
through MGNREGA
District : Saiha
Block : Saiha
Village : Zero Point
Zorammawia (50 years old) has been participating in all the
works under MGNREGS since its inception. His birthplace
was Jharkhand, but migrated to Saiha 25 years ago. He has a
large family consisting of 9 members. Prior to implementation
of MGNREGS, daily wage labour was his primary occupation.
Now with the help of MGNREGS wages he has opened a shop.
He is quite happy with the Scheme. He is even supporting his
children’s education with the help of MGNREGS wages. He
got 345 days of employment under MGNREGS during the last
four years and earned a sum of `35,252.

MGNREGS helps to Ensure Education
and Cultivation of Lands
District : Saiha
Block : Saiha
Village : Niawhtlang II
Lalkui Hsanga (42 years old) used to be a casual labourer
earlier. But after participating in MGNREGS works he
made one fruit garden in around 2 hectares of land. He even
renovated his house with MGNREGS money and supporting
his children’s education. He got 329 days of employment
under MGNREGS in the last four years and got a total amount
of `33,604. He considers MGNREGS as a blessing to his
family and many other poor families like his.
Land leveling for Games and Sports
District : Saiha
Block : Saiha
Village : Maubawk L
Availability of plain land in a hilly state like Mizoram is a
problem, as a result some part of the hill particularly edge
of the hill after cutting is made plain and made available for
games and sports. One such project was completed in year
2009-10 at Maubawk L under MGNREGS with an amount
of `240608, by generating 2336 man-days. The youth and
children of the village in the absence of playground were
unable to play any games. Thus, their long-standing need
has been fulfilled with the completion of the ground. Striking
feature here is that to quench the thirst of the players during
and after games, a small water tank has been constructed
near the playground. Water flowing in nearby stream is
stored in the tank through a pipeline fitted in the tank.
56

Nagaland
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59
Nagaland
Income Generation
through MGNREGS
District : Mon
Langrnai, a 44 year old woman living
with her large family comprising
12 members along with six children in
Tobu village of Tobu block. Though,
she has agricultural land but as no
plain land available in the villages, they
cultivated their land by rotation (jhoom
cultivation). As no irrigation facility
existed their agricultural production
totally depended upon either rain or
stream. She registered her name in
MGNREGS. Now, she can manage the
minimum requirements of her family.
She informed that, the wages are spent
on food and on children’s education
mainly. She also says that she used to
be dependent on her husband for any
expenses but now she feels empowered
and independent as she is also an
earning member.
Ekham (ST- Age 45), a cultivator, living
in Jakphang village of Chen block, has
six members in his family along with
four children. Though he is a cultivator,
he has no plain land. His agricultural
land is in a hilly place and jhoom
cultivation is practised and he have to
totally depend upon the natural water
or rain for irrigation. Therefore, the
production was not sufficient to meet
his daily needs.

He actively participated in MGNREGS since 2006-07. He
worked for 100 days in 2009-10 and received `10000. Now his
livelihood has improved and he is able to send his two children
to school with the help of MGNREGS wages.
Drinking Water Tank
District : Mon
Block : Chen
Drinking water overhead tank was constructed in Chenwetnyu
village at the cost of `1765336, with total 8320 mandays.
Before constructing the overhead tank, villagers used to collect
water from a nearby spring. Fetching of water from a distant place
was causing lot of problems to the villagers. With the completion
of the project in 2009-10, the problem of fetching water has
subsided. Water stored in overhead tank is being provided
through the pipeline to the villagers. As a result villagers can
collect water in their doorstep itself. Moreover the water is safe.
Thus the incidence of different water borne diseases, which were
earlier prevalent in the area, have drastically come down.
60

Odisha
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63
ODISHA
Avenue Plantation
District : Ganjam
Block : Hinjlicut
Gram Panchayat : Sikri
In Sikiri panchayat, super-cyclone in 1999 uprooted all the
trees on both sides of the road and the road remained tree
less since then. In the year 2009-10, under MGNREGS, avenue
plantation work has been taken up by Forest Department.
Shadow bearing trees has been planted along the road side
from Sikiri to Nandika. Seeing the plantation and greenery,
the people of the village are happy.

Convergence of MGNREGA
with SGSY
District : Ganjam
Gram Panchayat : Samarjhol
Tank was renovated under MGNREGA in the year 2008-
A 09 at a cost of `1.83 lakhs at Darubhadra village of
Samarjhol G.P. After renovation the tank was leased to Maa
Santoshi SHG for 5 years. Bank Linkages of `2.32 lakhs was
made under SGSY for Pisciculture and Banana Cultivation in
the year 2009-10. Each Group member is earning `545 per
month from this venture.
School Plantation under
MGNREGS
District : Ganjam
Block : Rangeilunda
Gram Panchayat : Badakusasthali
Plantation in UP school under MGNREGS during 2010-
11 created healthy ecological environment in school
campus. It trains the students about the effect of green
environment and to take care of trees like old parents who
help us till the end of their lives. It has a good impact on
the students and their education. Under the leadership
of the District Administration school plantation was taken
up by involving soil conservation officials. They provided
technical know how and the students raised the plantation
which created scenic beauty. It is evident that MGNREGS
is a tool for improving the fragile ecological balance and
degraded forests.
64

PUNJAB
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67
PUNJAB
MGNREGA Empowers
Women
The visit to areas in Jallandher,
Hoshiyarpur, Amritsar districts
revealed a high rate of women
participation on worksite, the women
were actively employed and the
participation rate was higher than
projected by the State. The women have
reflected a sense of satisfaction due
to wage parity. There was no gender
discrimination in wage payment.
The women have started taking an equal
role in decision making. They earn and
contribute to family income so they
take decisions pertaining to clothing,
nutrition and health care of the family
members.
The women in Punjab are now
empowered and enjoy greater respect in
society. They move freely in the village,
go to Post Office / Banks, Markets, etc.
They feel proud to tell that they work in
MGNREGA.

Rajasthan
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71
Rajasthan
Anaicut ensures Crop
Cultivation
District : Sirohi
Village : Boki Bhagli
The construction of Anaicut in
village Boki Bhagli in Sirohi district
under MGNREGA has come as a longterm
boon to the farmers who always
worried about their crops. Around 120-
130 Bigha of cultivable land is being
irrigated through the water available
from this Anaicut.
Earlier, farmers were reluctant to
cultivate rabi crops due to nonavailability
of water. However, this
time around, they have sown wheat
and managed a good harvest. In terms
of water recharging too, the area has
benefited a lot. Ground water level has
increased by 10-15 ft in nearby wells.

Convergence with Irrigation
In line with the vision of the scheme, funds of
MGNREGS have been dovetailed with the Irrigation
Department of Sirohi district. These interventions
have resulted in efficient use of available water for
irrigation, increase in the irrigated area, reduced
salinity, improved soil fertility and resulted in high
cropping intensity and economic prosperity of the
farmers.
72

sIKKIM
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75
Sikkim
MGNREGA - A Way to
Livelihood
District : East Sikkim
Block : Khamdong
Martam Nazitam GPU, Khamdong
block of East Sikkim is the best gram
panchayat based on their contribution
in implementing of MGNREGA.
Keeping in mind that one of the main
objective of the Scheme is to conserve
soil moisure, saplings of various water
conserving plants were planted under
2 hectares of lands in Martam-Nazitam
GPU during the month of May 2011.
Now it is observed that more than 90%
of saplings have survived in the field.
As a result, the discharge of the water
has seen a handsome increase with 11
ltr/min to15 ltr/min.
According to the villagers, the
programme has been very successful
and beneficial to them. This is serving as
a very important water source in areas
where there is shortage of water source
or where the existing water source is
nearing exhaustion, the villagers said.
Besides this, with the objective to uplift
the economic status of the SC/ST and
families living Below Poverty Line,
the grafted guava plantations were
taken up in three wards under Martam
Nazitam GPU during the last financial
year covering an area of 10 hectares of
land. 8250 guava saplings were planted
in private holdings of the beneficiaries
selected in the Gram Sabha.

The implementation of MGNREGA in Khamdong Block
has seen land development, construction of footpath and
protective work and fencing at Lingtam. The project was
taken up in and around Sekewa Bazaar. The Rural Produce
Marketing Centre is where local villagers used to come to
sell their produce and livestock every Sunday was in a sloppy
terrain area measuring 0.2340 hectare, surrounded by rocks.
Therefore under MGNREGA, works like construction of
retaining wall, development of footpath and fencing of
complex were taken up with an estimated cost of `18.63
lakhs.
With the creation of such assets, now the complex is
helping the villagers to supplement their livelihood income.
The scheme has also provided wage employment to job
seekers and durable and permanent asset to the society. A
two roomed toilet was also sanctioned inside this complex
under the Total Sanitation Campaign.
Source: www.washingtonbanglaradio.com
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77
Community Playground Inaugurated
under MGNREGA
District : West Sikkim
Block : Gyalshing
community playground was constructed in Gyalshing
A Omchung Gram Panchayat Unit, Lower Omchung Ward
falling under BAC Gyalshing in West District. The need for
a playground was felt since long. The site was a wasteland
covered with boulders, but it was adjacent to the road. About
`11 lakh was sanctioned by the District Planning Committee
in the first phase, subsequently in second phase `3 lakh was
sanctioned under the national flagship program MGNREGA.
Local NGO volunteered to support in the form of earthmoving
machinery, rock breaker and excavator which is not
permissible under MGNREGA. This ground was created to
accommodate a football ground with a 30 feet high retaining
wall on the valley side to extend the ground. A total of 60
households worked for the creation of this asset and generated
9200 persondays of wage employment for them.
The youth of Legship will find this infrastructure a gift
to positively utilize their energy and as a medium for
entertainment. Subsequently drainage and protective works
will also be taken up to complete this important community
asset.
Source: http://isikkim.com

Tamil Nadu
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81
Tamil nadu
Adult literacy campaign
to MGNREGS workers
District : Dindigul
MGNREGS is not considered as an
Employment Oriented Scheme. It
is viewed as a major tool for uplifting
the socio economic conditions of the
rural poor. MGNREGS workers are
being trained to read and write through
the staff of continuing education centers
during the lunch hour.
The Muster Roll is the clear indication
of literacy rate of the workers. Those
who put the thumb impression are the
target group for the literacy campaign.
In total, nearly 13885 individuals were
made literate through this programme.
Now all the 13885 people are able to
write their name in the Muster Roll
instead of thumb impression. Cent
percent coverage of illiterate workers
turned to be literate in Anjukulipatti
Village Panchayat and Kamanur Village
Panchayat (No thumb impression
observed).

Health Education to
MGNREGS workers
District : Dindigul
In Dindigul district, the health campaign is being organized
at every work spot frequently through the staff of local
Health Sub Center and Village Health Nurse. Sanitation,
hygiene practices, preventive measures, awareness about
immunization, polio and other vaccination are inculcated
during this campaign at lunch hours. No epidemic outbreaks,
increased awareness about environmental cleanliness and
increased no.of individual household latrines (Nearly 11,000
IHHL) are the major indicators of the impact.
Socio Economic Empowerment
Success Story
District : Erode
Block : Erode
Gram Panchayat : Koorapalayam
Shri.K. Pethan, S/o.Karuppan and his wife Smt.P.Raamaathal
of Koorapalayam Panchayat, are MGNREGS workers.
They earned money through MGNREGS for their daily
life. In the circumstances they have saved `7,000/- and
purchased two calves during 2009-2010, at `10,000/- each.
At present both cows are giving 6 litres milk per day and
the above couple are getting `100/- per day as additional
income.
82

Tripura
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85
Tripura
Economic and Social
Empowerment through
MGNREGA
District : Dhalai
Block : Ambassa
Village : Lalchari
couple named Mrasanu and Athai
A Mog (Scheduled Tribe) have
obtained benefit of MGNREGS under
which they got financial assistance of
`1.73 lakh in 2007-08 for creating pond
on their own land. Now they generate
incomes of `25000 per annum through
fishery. The beneficiary sells fish in local
market and similarly they consume
frequently whereas earlier they need to
buy from the local market. The incomes
which they earn from the ponds is
used for domestic requirements and
education of children, as this couple
has got two sons and a daughter.
Apai Mog (aged35 years) and Praba
Mog (aged30 years), beneficiaries of
MGNREGS, got benefit in 2006-07 in
the form of growing banana plantation
in their own land. The Banana plantation
was carried out on 2.5 Kani (2.5 Kani
is equivalent of 1 hectare). Now this
couple earns annually `25,000 from the
banana plantation. They supply banana
to the local market. The incomes which
they generate from banana cultivation
is used for domestic consumption
and education (as they have got two
children). Prior to MGNREGS, this

family was unable to afford banana cultivation but now with
the help of scheme their socio- economic condition has
improved and they have earned respect within their own
community.
In Uttar Nalicherra (a beneficiary of MGNREGS) Pramita
Biswas (SC- Age 70), a widow has a physically challenged
daughter. Prior to implementation of MGNREGS she was
an agricultural labourer. She gets `300 as pension under
Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme. Her
pension is not regular. Her daughter also gets pension for
physically handicapped of `200 a month. Both of them were
unable to sustain only on social assistance. As she is old,
local elected representatives assigned her to supply drinking
water to workers while work is in progress. She revealed that
MGNREGS is a boon for her to look after herself and her
daughter.
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Uttarakhand
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89
Uttarakhand
Inclusive Growth
Throughout the Kumaon region of
Uttarakhand, efforts to promote
inclusive growth through enhanced
women participation are visible.
Traditionally women participation
in work is prevalent in the State. In
MGNREGS works women come along
with their children and carry out the job
assigned to them. Women participation
has gone up to 70% at many plans.
Micro and Minor
Irrigation Works
Trenchpokhar & Jal Niyantran Nali are
constructed to check the water runoff
and prevent the soil erosion. These
structures are constructed widely under
MGNREGS in the Thapliya Mehragaon
Gram Panchayat of Bheemtal Block of
Nainital. These structures have been
immensely successful in catering to
the local water needs and at the same
time restoring the local ecological
sites, specially the slopes where
scanty agricultural fields exist. The
construction of these sructures was
extensively observed in the Gram
Panchayats of Almora and Champawat.

Uttar pradesh
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93
Uttar pradesh
Additional Income from MGNREGA
ensures Education and Good Food
District :Varanasi
Women in Koirajpur in block Harhara in Varanasi district
discussed the benefits of MGNREGA to women and
how it helps them. In their own words when they work for
MGNREGA, the additional income helps them use this money
for education needs of the children, meet demands from
children when they ask for some ‘good food’ and buy clothes.
“Further, at other times when there is no work, we have to
borrow money and manage our expenses and we are able
to return the money when we work under MGNREGA and
withdraw money from Bank accounts.”
Source: http://www.intrahealth.org/page/vistaar-project

WEST BENGAL
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97
WEST BENGAL
Camp Based Approach for Grass Root
Level Community Participation
District : Hoogly
Block : Jangipara
Gram Panchayat : Rajbalhat II
On the basis of a complaint made by Paschim Banga
Kshet Majur Samity about not providing enough work
to the job card holders at Rajbalhat-II, the District Authority
directed the Block Development Officer to organize a
camp to provide work to the job seekers under MGNREGA.
Accordingly Rajbalhat-II Gram Panchayat organized a camp
at Sansad Nos. 7 & 8 to provide Forms 4A & 4B to the job
seekers. In the camp 400 job card holders were provided job
on the spot on 15th, 16th and 17th May, 2010.

MGNREGA Ensures Livelihood
Security to Women headed Household
District : Jalpaiguri
Block : Sadar
Gram Panchayat : Sourth Berubari
Smt. Khirobala Roy South Berubari Gram Panchayat, was
finding it difficult to make both ends meet. She was having
a land but it was of no use and was not fit for cultivation. This
woman led household was adjudged BPL and has a BPL card.
Her only son was a daily wage labourer. She expressed her
desire to develop her waste land and make it fit for cultivation.
Assessing the need, South Berubari Gram Panchayat of which
Smt. Khirobala Roy was the resident, decided to develop the
same through MGNREGS work.
1665 man-days were generated during the work. 200
households got engaged in the work and about 240
individuals joined hands to work on the scheme. 61 Rural ST
households and 136 rural SC households worked together
for making the dream of Smt. Nirobala come true.
Now the land is fit for cultivation. Smt. Khirobala Roy
has now started to cultivate in her own land to earn her
livelihood.
98