A STUDY ON PRODUCTIVITY AND SUSTAINABILITY OF THE ASSETS CREATED UNDER MAHATMA GANDHI NATIONAL RURAL EMPLOYMENT GUARANTEE SCHEME (MGNREGS) IN TRIPURA

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), launched in 2005, has emerged as a landmark initiative aimed at alleviating rural poverty and unemployment through guaranteed wage employment and asset creation. This study investigates the sustainability and productivity of assets created under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in Tripura, India. Conducted in the Ambassa RD Block of Dhalai District, the research focuses on assets created during the 2018-19 financial year. Data was collected from 174 respondents, including individual beneficiaries and villagers, through household surveys, interviews, and field visits. The study reveals that the majority of assets were in good condition and deemed useful by the beneficiaries. However, there were shortcomings in the installation of Community Information Boards and maintenance of community assets. The findings indicate that MGNREGA has positively impacted rural livelihoods by improving sanitation, increasing income, and enhancing infrastructure. The study recommends improved grassroots planning, convergence with other departments, beneficiary education, and robust monitoring and maintenance mechanisms to maximize the program's effectiveness and ensure the sustainability of created assets. Keywords: MGNREGA, Asset Creation, Sustainability, Impact Assessment, Livelihood Security, Community Assets, Individual Assets, Natural Resource Management