MGNREGS, distress migration and livelihood conditions: a study in Odisha

Based on a primary survey of 400 households from the Mayurbhanj and Jajpur districts of Odisha, this article finds that Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act is playing an important role in the agricultural slack seasons by providing job opportunities to needy poor and socially marginalised groups. In this process, it controls a substantial portion of seasonal distress out-migration from this region. The improved household earnings during the lean seasons also cause an improvement in the household consumption level, which has implications for the overall socio-economic development of the rural region. Key Words: Employment Guarantee, Distress Migration, Households living conditions and Rural Poverty