Evaluating Rajasthan’s urban employment guarantee program: some key insights and concerns

In September 2022, the state of Rajasthan, India, launched the Indira Gandhi Rozgar Guarantee Yojana (IRGY), an urban public works program based on its long-running rural counterpart, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The IRGY guarantees 125 days of wage employment annually at statutory minimum wage rates for each urban household. The impacts of MGNREGA are well documented, while those of similar programs in urban contexts remain less explored. This study examined the operational dynamics, participation, and challenges of the IRGY through a household survey conducted in informal settlements across two cities in Rajasthan. The findings indicate that the IRGY primarily attracts women workers due to its flexibility and governmental nature. However, it faces implementation challenges, such as low wages and payment delays. Despite these concerns, the IRGY promises to provide livelihood security and address gender-related issues in the urban labour market.