IMPROVING RURAL LIVELIHOODS IN BIHAR THROUGH MGNREGA: CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS
बिहार में मनरेगा के माध्यम से ग्रामीण जीवन में सुधार: चुनौतियाँ एवं संभावनाएँ
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29121/shodhkosh.v7.i12s.2026.8362Keywords:
Mgnrega, Rural Development, Bihar, Employment, Poverty Alleviation, Social Security, Women's EmpowermentAbstract [English]
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is a flagship rural employment scheme of the Government of India, aimed at providing a minimum of 100 days of wage-based employment to rural households. In an economically backward state like Bihar, this scheme has made a significant contribution towards improving rural living standards. The objective of the present study is to analyze the impact, challenges, and future prospects of MGNREGA in the rural areas of Bihar. The study utilizes both primary and secondary data. Primary data were collected through questionnaires and interviews, while secondary data were drawn from government reports, economic surveys, and published research papers. Various studies have found that MGNREGA has played a pivotal role in reducing rural unemployment, enhancing income levels, encouraging women's participation, and building rural infrastructure. Recent evaluation studies in Bihar have also revealed that the scheme has had a positive impact on livelihood security; however, issues such as delayed wage payments, administrative irregularities, and a lack of awareness persist. The study concludes that if transparency, social audits, and digital management mechanisms are strengthened, MGNREGA has the potential to further
bolster the living standards of rural communities in Bihar.
Abstract [Hindi]
महात्मा गांधी राष्ट्रीय ग्रामीण रोजगार गारंटी अधिनियम (मनरेगा) भारत सरकार की एक महत्त्वपूर्ण ग्रामीण रोजगार योजना है, जिसका उद्देश्य ग्रामीण परिवारों को न्यूनतम 100 दिनों का मजदूरी आधारित रोजगार प्रदान करना है। बिहार जैसे आर्थिक रूप से पिछड़े राज्य में इस योजना ने ग्रामीण जीवन स्तर में सुधार की दिशा में उल्लेखनीय योगदान दिया है। प्रस्तुत अध्ययन का उद्देश्य बिहार के ग्रामीण क्षेत्रों में मनरेगा के प्रभाव, चुनौतियों तथा भविष्य की संभावनाओं का विश्लेषण करना है। अध्ययन में प्राथमिक एवं द्वितीयक दोनों प्रकार के आँकड़ों का उपयोग किया गया है। प्राथमिक आँकड़े प्रश्नावली एवं साक्षात्कार द्वारा एकत्र किए गए, जबकि द्वितीयक आँकड़े सरकारी रिपोर्ट, आर्थिक सर्वेक्षण तथा प्रकाशित शोधपत्रों से लिए गए। विभिन्न अध्ययनों में यह पाया गया है कि मनरेगा ने ग्रामीण बेरोजगारी को कम करने, आय बढ़ाने, महिला सहभागिता को प्रोत्साहित करने तथा ग्रामीण आधारभूत संरचना निर्माण में महत्त्वपूर्ण भूमिका निभाई है। बिहार में हाल के मूल्यांकन अध्ययनों में भी यह सामने आया है कि योजना ने आजीविका सुरक्षा में सकारात्मक प्रभाव डाला, हालांकि भुगतान में देरी, प्रशासनिक अनियमितता और जागरूकता की कमी जैसी समस्याएँ बनी हुई हैं। अध्ययन से स्पष्ट होता है कि यदि पारदर्शिता, सामाजिक लेखा परीक्षा तथा डिजिटल प्रबंधन को मजबूत किया जाए तो मनरेगा बिहार के ग्रामीण जीवन स्तर को और अधिक सुदृढ़ बना सकता है।
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