Impact of MGNREGA on the Socio-Economic Conditions of Rural Labourers in Patna District

Impact of MGNREGA on the Socio-Economic Conditions of Rural Labourers in Patna District Dr. Kusum Kumari* Present study deal with “Impact of MGNREGA on the Socio-Economic Conditions of Rural Labourers in Patna District”. The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), introduced in 2005, is one of India’s most important rights-based initiatives aimed at strengthening livelihood security among rural households. The programme legally assures up to 100 days of wage employment during a financial year to rural households whose adult members are prepared to undertake unskilled manual work. Its relevance is especially pronounced in Bihar, where rural labour markets are marked by seasonal job opportunities, agricultural underemployment, unstable and relatively low wages, informal employment arrangements, and extensive labour migration. In this context, the present article seeks to assess the influence of MGNREGA on the socio-economic conditions of rural labourers in Patna district of Bihar. The present study examines several dimensions of socio-economic well-being, including employment opportunities, household income, consumption expenditure, wage negotiation capacity, savings, indebtedness, migration patterns, women’s participation, social inclusion, and access to essential amenities. A mixed-method research design is proposed, integrating secondary sources with primary information obtained from selected households benefiting from MGNREGA in rural areas of Patna district. *Ph.D. Assistant Professor (Guest Professor), Department of Economics, S.S.Collage Jhehanabad, Bihar. Mobile 8083847956, Email -Shiv1668 @ gmail.com