ABSTRACT

The present investigation was carried out with the objective to determine the role of Mahatma Gandhi
National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in irradicating women economic stagnation with
special reference to Mulakulam Grama Panchayath. The objective of the study is (i) to understand how this
scheme is helpful for women empowerment, (ii) to study the effectiveness of the scheme for irradication, (iii) to
analyze its importance for rural development, (iv) to evaluate its efficiency in raising standard of living. The
important objectives of this programme are creation of durable assets and strengthening the livelihood resources
base of the rural poor.. This act aims to provide a legal guarantee for at least 100 days of employment in every
financial year to at least one adult member of any rural household willing to do the public work related
unskilled manual work at the statutory minimum wage of Rs 164 per day.

INTRODUCTION
Economic development of a country depends upon many factors like better infrastructure, health,
education, employment opportunities etc. Mahatma Gandhi, the father of our nation, said that India lives in its
villages. The soul of India is in its villages Literally and from the social, economic and political perspectives
the statement is valid even today. Around 65% of the population in our country is living in rural areas.Hence
rural development, inclusive of economic growth and social justice, improvement in the living standard of the
rural people with adequate and quality social services and minimum basic needs, becomes essential.The
department of rural development will provide logistic support both on technical and administrative side to the
programme implementation. Another aspect that might lead to transformation of rural life is also being
emphasized simultaneously. Perhaps the only one programme, sometimes the most important one through
which the above goals can be achieved is Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme
(MGNREGP).Prior to the enactment of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme
(MGNREGP). India had no programs that promised employment as the legal right although employment
generation through employment generation through rural work had a long history in India, Dating back to the
1960, since 1960 the govt. had been merging old schemes to introduce new ones. While retaining the basic
objectives of providing additional wage employment involving and skilled manual work with special safe guard
for the community.

SCOPE AND IMPORTANNCE OF THE STUDY

The central government of India introduced a number of programs for poverty eradication , overall
development of rural power , encouraging women and children and many other welfare programs fully or
partially made positive result in rural areas , for the purpose of development and welfare or rural poor the last
and first important program is their MGNREGA. The important objectives of this program are creation of
durable assets and strengthening the livelihood recourses base of the rural poor. Investment made under
MGNREGA are erected to generate employment and purchasing power , raise economic productivity , promote
women participation in the work free , strengthen the rural infrastructure by the creation of durable assets ,
reduce distress migration and contribute to the regeneration of natural resources.