The Socio- economic Evaluation of the MGNREGS in Punjab

The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of MGNREGS on rural households' socio-economic status. The results revealed that the beneficiaries were well aware of the MGNREGS whose work was either meant for poor or scheduled caste households. The assets created under the scheme were considered helpful by most beneficiaries. The beneficiaries mostly follow a verbal request, paying no charges for job card preparation. The majority of respondents had custody of their job cards. The results revealed a significant rise in income and expenditure of sample households. The MGNREGS beneficiaries' food and non-food expenses increased after joining MGNREGS. Thus MGNREGS had facilitated the improvement of their socio-economic status.