The Role of rural employment schemes in bridging regional inequalities in India throughout the early 21st century (2000-2024)

This paper assesses the impacts of rural employment schemes in three exploring regional disparities in employment in India for the year 2000 and projected through 2024. The first main observable activities are done through MGNREGA and other state-specific programmes which are targeted at the goal of achieving an equity in income, employment and services through providing wage employment, rural infrastructure and sustainable livelihood. This is explored by analyzing employment data, regional growth indicators and poverty rates and interviews with ten states across the country employing the mixed method research. According to the authors, effects of such programs have been found to reduce poverty and enhance rural income but have diverse impacts on long run regional convergence due to disparities in the implementation and governance. The paper calls for flexible policies, to improve on the strategies that improve the employment of the youths in the rural areas with a view of promoting equity.