MGNREGA: Making Way for Social Change in Women’S: a Case Study of Musunuru Mandal in Andhra Pradesh

Volume-4, Issue-6, December-2014, ISSN No.: 2250-0758 International Journal of Engineering and Management Research Available at: www.ijemr.net

Page Number: 1-5

MGNREGA: Making Way for Social Change in Women’s: A Case Study of Musunuru Mandal in Andhra Pradesh

Ch. Venu Babu1, Dr. G. Sudhakar2 1Ph.D Scholar, Department of Economics, Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh, INDIA 2Principal, Dr. KRRM Degree College, Duggirala, Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh, INDIA

ABSTRACT represents action on both these counts. The act stipulates The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act is that wages will be equal for men and women. It is also an epoch making event in the history of independent India. committed to ensuring that at least 33 percent of the There is much that the NREGA promises from the workers shall be women. By generating employment for perspective of women’s empowerment as well. Most boldly, in women at fair wages in the village, NREGA can play a a rural milieu marked by stark inequalities between men and substantial role in economically empowering women and women in the opportunities for gainful employment afforded as well as wage rates NREGA represents action on both these laying the basis for greater independence and self-esteem. counts. The act stipulates that wages will be equal for men The concept of women’s empowerment got wider and women. Andhra Pradesh and Panchayat have been very popularity and acceptance in Kerala with the launching of vigilant in spreading awareness about NREGA through decentralized planning in the state. In Andhra Pradesh, is radio, poster, television, notice board on gram sabhas Vision playing a critical role in the implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi NREGA seeks to enhance the livelihood NREGS. Not only are women accessing the scheme in security of the women’s in rural areas of the country by much larger proportions in all districts than the stipulated providing at least 100 days of guaranteed wage employment percentage (almost 80 percent of the workers in the in every financial year to every women whose adult members scheme are women), Andhra Pradesh groups are active in volunteer to do unskilled manual work., etc. The manifold functions taken up by MGNREGA members range from implementing the scheme with women’s and responsibility identification of projects to supervision of works and of overall supervision. Andhra Pradesh and Panchayat submission of records for wage disbursement. The objective have been very vigilant in spreading awareness about of the Study is to enhance livelihood security in rural areas by NREGA through radio, poster, television, notice board on providing at least 100 days of guaranteed wage employment gram sabhas, etc. The manifold functions taken up by in a financial year to every poor women’s whose adult MGNREGA members range from identification of projects members volunteer to do unskilled manual work. This work to supervision of works and submission of records for guarantee can also serve other objectives generating wage disbursement. productive assets, protecting the environment, empowering rural women, reducing rural urban migration and fostering social equity, among others. The main of objective of the II. VISION paper is to study the performance of women labourers in generating employment in the study area. Mahatma Gandhi NREGA seeks to enhance the livelihood security of the women’s in rural areas of the Keywords--- MGNREGS, Empowering, Productive, country by providing at least 100 days of guaranteed wage Equity, Income levels, Financial employment in every financial year to every women whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work. I. INTRODUCTION III. BRIEF HISTORY The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act is an epoch making event in the history of independent India. Mahatma Gandhi NREGA was launched in 200 There is much that the NREGA promises from the select districts on 2.2.2006 and was extended to 130 perspective of women’s empowerment as well. Most additional districts during 2007-08. All the remaining rural boldly, in a rural milieu marked by stark inequalities areas in the country have been covered under the Act w.e.f. between men and women in the opportunities for gainful 1.4.2008. Presently, Mahatma Gandhi NREGA is being employment afforded as well as wage rates NREGA implemented in all the notified rural areas of the country. 1

IV. NEED FOR THE STUDY VI. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

MGNREGS aimed at helping the poor women’s to improve of farm incomes through participatory technological interventions, application of eco- technologies, ICT-enabled knowledge system, value chain and market linkage, and building their capacity, are being implemented now. This underlines the need for the study. In the backdrop of planning for economic development in the context of spreading globalization impact, a study of the contribution of MGNREGS adds to the literature on development for equality and betterment of people belonging to the scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribe communities women who form a special class of under privileged villagers.

V. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The objectives of the Act is to enhance livelihood security in rural areas by providing at least 100 days of guaranteed wage employment in a financial year to every poor women’s whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work. This work guarantee can also serve other objectives: generating productive assets, protecting the environment, empowering rural women, reducing rural Above table shows increasing women’s urban migration and fostering social equity, among others. participation in MGNREGA in India till FY 2006-07 to FY The main of objective of the paper is to study the 2011-12. It observed from the above table the highest in performance of women labourers in generating 48% of the women participation. Total throughout India in employment in the study area. the FY 2008-09, 2009-2010, FY 2010-11. In the period Making Way for Women’s Empowerment an Overview 2006-07, and 2007-08 Tamil Nadu has highest percentage in India: of women’s days and also Jamu and Kashmir has lowest Women’s participation in MGNREGA points at some percentage of women days in the period 2008-09, 2009-10 unique and often contradicting aspects. First, states not and 2010-11, Kerala has highest percentage of women known for women’s participation in workforce are days in the year 2011-12, Kerala has highest percentage of reporting a high number of women joining the programme. women days and also Uttar Pradesh has lowest percentage Andhra Pradesh where women account for about 15 per of women days. Finally observed that Kerala has highest cent of the workforce. Under the Act they take up 79 per percentage of women days and also Jamu and Kashmir has cent of the employment created. Two other states, Tamil lowest percentage of women days. Nadu and Rajasthan, with low share of women in workforce have 82 per cent and 69 per cent women workers under MGNREGA, respectively. Second, poor states with greater casual labour potential, like Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, report low women participation (22-33 per cent). This is contradictory to the assumption that poverty forces women to take up casual jobs. Third, it is believed that states with labour-intensive farming like paddy cultivation pull more women into workforce.

Above table shows an overview of the performance of MGNREGA FY 2006-07 to FY 2011-12. It observed from the above table that the highest districts in the throughout country all districts in the FY 2008-09, 2009-10,2010-11, 2011-12, reaming FY 2006-07 200 Districts, 2007-08 330 Districts women participation. 2

Broadly, all the women workers of the India have been participation of in FY wise highest in 2009-10 (48%) and Lowest is 2006-07 (40%) next remaining FY is rapidly increasing. Second thing is average person days per employed in women highest ratio in FY 2009-10 (54 days) Lowest days in FY 2007-08, 2011-12 in (42 days). Finally the women generated for employment in 2006-07 to 2011- 12 in (47%) in the total financial years.

Above table shows women employment generated under the MGNREGA in Andhra Pradesh till 2011-2012. It observed from the above table that the highest cumulative person days is 6962838 in total our Districts in Andhra Pradesh in the financial year 2011- 2012. Cumulative person days in total 58.22 generated for women followed by kadapa and Nizamabad districts. The highest cumulative person days generated in Kurnool district 641452 in cumulative person days in 54.68. Cumulative person days generated for women followed by Srikakulam and East Godavari districts.

Above the table denotes women work and wage earnings in MGNREGA in Andhra Pradesh during the period 2010-11 to 2012-13. In the year 2010-11, Visakhapatnam district has highest working women and Kurnool district has lowest working women. In the year 2010-11 wages for women, Prakasam district has highest wages earnings for women and also Nalgonda district has lowest wage earnings. In the year 2011-12, Warangal District has highest working women and Kurnool District has lowest working women. In the year 2011-12, Krishna District has highest wage earnings and West Godavari District has lowest wage earnings, in the year 2012-13, Warangal District has highest working women and

Kurnool district has lowest working women, in the year 2012-13, Anantapur district has highest wage earnings and For the purpose of the study 100 respondents west Godavari district has lowest wage earnings. Finally, from each village has randomly selected. Above table is Warangal District has highest working women in the devoted to analyze the extent of participation of SC, ST period 2011-13 and 2012-13, and also Kurnool District has and other women in NREGS. Broadly, all the sample lowest working women in the same period. West workers of three villages have been divided in to three Godavari District has lowest wage earnings for the period categories Viz. Scheduled Castes (SCs) Scheduled Tribes 2011-12 and 2012-13. (STs), and other castes (OCs). In the study, the proportion of SCs is 45.33 percent STs 19.0 percent, and OCs 35.67 percent.

VII. THE EXPERIENCES OF THE is making them financially empowered,” says WOMEN MGNREGA MUSUNURU commissioner, MGNREGA in Andhra Pradesh. “The fact that they are coming out of their homes to work and are VILLAGE making financial decisions shows they are breaking several social barriers. With work also comes an awareness of Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh were shared; an one’s rights.” organization comprising about 8000-9000 women whose main activity is to provide economic and social rights of women in rural areas. It spans 4 taluks and has 500 SHG IX. POLICY IMPLICATIONS participants. When the NREGS was initially implemented, GMO took up awareness generation activities at the ward The effectiveness of MGNREGA crucially level, including pamphlet distribution. It was elaborated depends on what type of schemes it gives priority to. Lack that in one case, machines were employed to do NREGS of focus of social, gender inequality n creation of work at night, and in the morning photographs were taken productive assets has been a major reason for limited of workers labouring at worksites! It was observed that success of wage employment programme. Compared to there was pressure on the functionaries of the programme men, the proportion of unskilled, subsidiary workers to provide jobs soon, release funds quickly and utilize among women is much larger under MGNREGA. Given them efficiently so as to be able to claim future NREGS poor health and literacy as well as the predominant funds. Further, though complaints were registered with the responsibility of housework and caring, women have Gram Panchayat and CEO, these were to no avail. In other recourse only to work that is available. To improve such experiences of the scheme at the ground level, gendered condition of women, SEWA has suggested a Simhadripuram, Musunuru Krishna District, elaborated longer period of employment with a package of capacity on how the responsibility for organizing meetings and development and training in new technology based income spreading awareness of NREGS had been taken up at the generation activities, such as (1) agro-processing, Gram Panchayat level, but there was a major problem of watershed development (2) printing, carpentry, plumbing fund release, as money never came in. There was the and so on (3) creation of environmental assets such as tree impression created among the NREGS functionaries and plantation, recycling, water harvesting and operation and beneficiaries that works and processes under NREGS maintenance of water resources, including hand pumps and should be completed fast so that the Gram Panchayat pipelines (Nanavaty and Pandya, 2008). A longer period of doesn't lose the money. Reporting the positive impact of assured employment, and hence income, definitely the NREGA, women participating in the scheme said they increases the capability of women to lift their households had become less dependent on their husbands for money by their own efforts (with some help from older children and didn't need to submit the entire amount they earned to and men) and undertake risk-taking investments. their mother in laws. While responding to the state-wise experiences of X. NREGA AND WOMEN SOCIAL these groups, the Joint Director of NREGA for Andhra CHANGE Pradesh reported that the actual number of employment person days worked by a household is contingent on its • Percentage share of employment availed by demand. He highlighted instances where prospective women under MGNREGS was 40% during 2006-07, 43% labourers had given in applications for work, but these had in 2007-08, 48% in 2008-09, 48% in 2009-10 and 48% in been denied by the Panchayat Secretary, or even if 2010-11. Hence, the percentage of women beneficiary accepted, dated receipts were not issued (making them under MGNREGA has been much higher than provided eligible for unemployment allowance). under the Act (i.e. 33% of total employment). • Out of total 26.69 crore registered workers under VIII. SOCIAL CHANGE IN WOMEN’S MGNREGA for whom job cards have been issued so far, 11.62 crore (43.53%) are women. In 2010-2011, out of the Kumari who is in her 50s, is the Dalit woman total of 8.73 crore workers who requested for work, 3.92 Sarpanch of Korlagunta village. She was elected last two crore (44.9%) were women. years back with overwhelming support of women in her area; she attributes her win to growing awareness among XI. CONCLUSION women because of the employment guarantee programme. Of the 1,300 MGNREGA job cards issued in her MGNREGA has positive impact on gender and Panchayat, Kumari was among the first. The numbers bear gender empowerment. Women have benefited both as out the popularity of the scheme with women in the individual and community. Women are benefited Mandal. Women constitute 67% of the total 482.9 million individually because they are able to earn independently, people who have benefited from MGNREGA across the spend some money for their own needs, contribute in state. In Krishna district, women constitute 73% of the family expenditure etc. The gained benefits of women as MGNREGA workforce. “Participation of women in community can be understood by increased presence in the MGNREGA across the state is almost two-thirds and this gram sabha, increasing number of women in speaking out 4 in the meetings, increasing capacity of interaction etc. But the poor implementation across the nation (such as lack of child care facility, worksite facility and illegal presence of contractors) accrued the gender sensitiveness of this act mainly in Andhra Pradesh state. Certain initiatives and changes should be taken to remove these barriers. The valuable gains should not be derailed for poor implementation.

REFERENCES

[1] Economic Survey of India 2011-12. [2] Aasha Kapur Mehta (2008) Multidimensional Poverty in India: Distirct Level Estimates, IIPA, New Delhi. [3] Edward Shipiro (2004) “Micro Economic Analysis”, Galgotiya publication, New-Delhi, p147. [4] Sabina Alkire and Marina Emma Santos, (July 2010) “Multidimensional Poverty Index, OPHI, Oxford Poverty & Human Development Initiative,” United Kingdom. [5] Ambasta, P. Vijay Shankar, P.S.and Mihir.S. (2008), “Tow years of NREGA: The Road Ahead”, Economic and Political Weekly, Vol.43, No.8, pp.41-50. [6] Bhattacharya, R. and Sudarshan, R. (2007), NREGA: Gaps in Intent and Outcomes, Institute of Social Studies Trust (ISST), New Delhi. [7] National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) (2005 To 2011) [8] Dev, S. Mahendra and C. Ravi (2003) “Andhra Pradesh Development: Economic Reforms and Challenges Ahead,” Centre for Economic and Social Studies, Hyderabad.