SSRG International Journal of Economics and Management Studies (SSRG-IJEMS) – volume1 issue1
August 2014
IMPACT OF MGNREGA ON WOMEN EMPOWERMENT
WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO KALAKKANMOI
PANCHAYAT IN SIVGANGAI DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU
Dr. G. XAVIER1, G. MARI 2
1
Professor and Head, 2Assistant Professor Research Department of Economics,
Sree Sevugan Annamalai College, Devakottai,
Tamil Nadu, India
ABSTRACT
The eleventh five year plan marks a
significant departure from the conventional way of
looking at women in plan document. It tries to
mark the centrality of women in all sectors. It
explicitly recognizes, probably for the first time,
that women are not just equal citizens but agents of
economic and social growth. According to UN
Women (2013) The Mahatma Gandhi Nation Rural
Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in India
and the Expanded Public Works Programme
(EPWP) in South Africa are examples of important
safety nets for women.
The study tries to evaluate the impact of
MGNREGA on socio-economic empowerment of
women in Kalakkanmoi panchayat of Sivaganga
district, Tamil Nadu. It further analyses various risk
associated with the women during the working time
of MGNREGA. The study finds that the
MGNREGA increases income and expenditure of
the households compared over the pre MGNREGA
period and the scheme significantly enhances the
social and economic decision making power to
women in the men dominated rural society. Hence
the scheme ensures improved standard of living of
the vulnerable poor, more specifically among
women. It also finds that poor worksite facility, hot
climate condition and reduction of leisure time put
them much hardship during the working hours of
MGNREGA.
Keywords: Inclusive Growth, MGNREGA,
Socio-economic Development, Women
Empowerment.
1. Introduction
The eleventh five year plan marks a
significant departure from the conventional way of
looking at women in plan document. It tries to
mark the centrality of women in all sectors. It
explicitly recognizes, probably for the first time,
that women are not just equal citizens but agents of
economic and social growth (Centre for Budget and
Governance Accountability, 2008, P.50). In
several developing and emerging economies,
ISSN: 2393 - 9125 www.internationaljournalssrg.org
public woks programs provide employment and
social protection to the working age poor, with
gender responsiveness now making them. The
Mahatma Gandhi Nation Rural Employment
Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in India and the
Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) in
South Africa are examples of important safety nets
for women (UN Women, 2013). According to Dr.
Pranab Mukherjee (2009) inclusive growth carries
the twin strategy of the growth and the
instrumentalities through which it is achieved, so
that the benefits reach the largest section of the
society and that the maximum numbers of people
are able to derive benefits from these development
projects. That is why special emphasis was given to
schemes like NREGA and Bharat Nirman.
Various research studies and government
reports have focused on the impact of MGNREGA
in terms of women perspective, particularly on
socio - economic improvements and challenges
faced by women. The study by Institute of Applied
Manpower Research (2008) found that NREGS
helps to improve the income level and enhance the
standard of living of the rural people particularly
the vulnerable section of the society such as
women, SC/STs, minorities and so on. Reethika
Khera et al., (2009) observed that the MGNREGA
facilitate a lot to attain the socio-economic
empowerment of the women workers. It is also said
that two-third of the women come out of poverty
and attained food security. Vinita Arora et al.,
(2013) study found that MGNREGA enhances
decision making power in social and economic well
being of women. Asha Sharma (2012) identified
that distress seasonal migration was almost stopped
with the advent of the MGNREGA. The reason is
that MGNREGA provided regular work in their
native place and the flow of income was steady and
reliable.
Ratna. M. Sudarshan (2010) study focused
that improved women participation in MGNREGA
is enhanced from active participation of NGOs and
better wage payment of scheme which is above the
prevalent market wage. The study by Sudha
Narayanan (2008) pointed out that the provision of
shade, food and other basic amenities for young
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 SSRG International Journal of Economics and Management Studies (SSRG-IJEMS) – volume1 issue1
August 2014

children at MGNREGA worksite would ensure district during 02.02.2006) in Tamil Nadu.
effective participation of women particularly MGNREGA job generation wise data showed that
mothers who are having young child. Xavier and out of a total of 31,30,809 persondays employment
Mari (2013) study revealed that MGNREGA generated (till the reporting month FY 2013-14),
eliminate the leisure time enjoyed by the women. women received about 26,94,261 persondays
However, Narayanan et al., (2013) found (86.06%) and men received 4,36,548 persondays
preparedness for the implementation of programme (13.94%). Income earning wise, women earned
by the government viz., initial survey, designs and Rs.2,496.2 lakhs and men earned Rs.424.57 lakhs.
uploading of photographs before and after Among the 12 blocks of Sivaganga district,
completion of works were not properly done due to Kalaiyarkoil block generated the highest women
paucity of staff particularly technical staff. employment during the current year (2013-14). It
accounted 4,07,774 persondays (84.36 %).
2. Objective of the study
Table 1: Kalakkanmoi Panchayat in Tamil Nadu
The present study is made with specific
Village
reference to the Kalakkanmoi panchayat, District Block Village
District Block Name Panchayat
Name Code Code
Sivaganga district, Tamil Nadu. The main Code Name
objectives are: 25 Sivagangai 2 Kalaiyarkoil 13 Kalakkanmoi

 To evaluate the impacts of MGNREGA on Source: www.tn.gov.in

socio-economic empowerment of women
Map 1: Profile of Kalakkanmoi panchayat
in Kalakkanmoi Panchayat of Sivaganga
district, Tamil Nadu.
 To analyses various risk associated with
the women during the working time of
MGNREGA.

3. Methodology
The study used both primary and
secondary data. Secondary date was collected from
NREGA website (www.nrega.nic.in) for the
financial year 2013-14. Primary data were collected
from Kalakkanmoi Panchayat of Sivagnaga district
during April 2013. The total samples were 120 and
were selected randomly. The collected data were
tabulated, graphed and analysed with the help of
SPSS Package and Origin software. Digital Map Source: TWAD Board, Chennai,
Web Design: NIC, TNSC
4. Area Of Study
The reason for the good number of
In Tamil Nadu, the MGNREGA was participation in Kalakkanmoi panchayat is that, it
initially implemented in six districts, viz., does not have sustained employments both from
Cuddalore, Dindigul, Nagapattinam, Sivagangai, industry and agriculture. Therefore women
Tiruvannamalai and Villupuram from 02.02.2006 participation is higher in terms of demand driven
onwards and in four more districts viz. Thanjavur, MGNREGA job. Totally they worked 13,194
Tiruvarur, Tirunelveli and Karur from 01.04.2007 persondays and received Rs.14,69,801 during
onwards. From 01.04.2008 onwards the scheme 2013-14. The percapita income received through
was extended to the remaining twenty districts of MGNREGA scheme is Rs.111. It is comparatively
the State. Tamil Nadu is the fourth largest states in higher than normal wage rate of an agricultural
persondays of job generation share of women (75 labour.
per cent) during the FY 2012-13. This is much
higher than the national average of 53 per cent. As
of March 2013, the MIS infers that in the phase I 5. Analyses
districts of Tamil Nadu, the share of women 5.1. Socio-Economic Empowerment of Women
persondays reached a maximum of 82.82 per cent
Women generally assist their husband in
in Sivaganga district and minimum of 60.98 per
the work along with maintaining the family and
cent in Nagapattinam district.
acts as a business partner, although they often
Sivaganga district is one among the six receive no pay. Even if they are paid for their work,
districts (Early Phase I NREGA implemented women earn less than their male counterparts

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 SSRG International Journal of Economics and Management Studies (SSRG-IJEMS) – volume1 issue1
August 2014

(Sushma D.Bushan et al., 2013). However, this

traditional system is averted completely after
implementation of MGNREGA in rural areas,
because the scheme provides at least one hundred
days of guaranteed wage employment to every
household, whose adult members volunteer to do
unskilled work. Equal remuneration, job quota
(one-third of job), locally available jobs, worksite
facility and socially acceptable job support to
women are the main thrive towards MGNREGA
job in rural area. In addition to that MGNREGA
has not allowed them doing hazardous work which
is possible note in the scheme (N.Nayak, R.Khera,
2009).

The result shows that women’s earnings are

increasing and they contribute a lot to household
Table 3: Expenditure increased through
income.
MGMGNREGA in Kalakkanmoi Panchayat
Table 2: Income received through MGNREGA during April 2013
in Kalakkanmoi Panchayat during April 2013
Expenditure Women Men
Income (Rs.) Women (%) Men (%) Soap 4.2 0.8
Rs. 2048 22.5 0.8 Food items 68.3 5
Rs. 2560 27.5 2.5 Cloth 16.7 0
Rs.3072 43.3 3.3 Utensil 2.5 0.8
TOTAL 93.3 6.7 Painkiller 1.7 0
Source: computed from primary data
Total 93.3 6.7
Table 2 showed that the increased Source: computed from primary data
household income through MGNREGA job. The
present study found that 43.3 per cent women and Table 3 reveals that the household
3.3 per cent men obtained Rs.3072 during April consumption of men and women through increases
2013. Whereas 27 per cent of women and 2.5 per income of MGNREGA job. It is clear that
cent of men earned Rs.2560. The remaining 22.5 of MGNREGA helps to fulfill the regular needs of the
women and 0.8 per cent of men beneficiaries family viz., food items, soap, cloth, utensil and
earned Rs.2048. It is clear that majority of the health care expenses. Out of the 93.3 per cent of
women beneficiaries received maximum amount the women sample respondent, 68.3 per cent spend
provided in the scheme. This earning capacity of on food items, 16.7 per cent spend on cloth, 4.2 per
the women helps them to take part in the decision cent said soap, 2.5 per cent on utensil and other
making of the family. This elucidation is also household items and the rest of 1.7 per cent spend
shown in the fig.1. essential helath care items like painkiller, tablets,
etc., . This detail is also shown in figure 2.

Fig.1: Household income augments

through MGNREGA in Kalakkanmoi
Panchayat

Fig.2: Household consumption rises through

MGNREGA in Kalakkanmoi Panchayat

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 SSRG International Journal of Economics and Management Studies (SSRG-IJEMS) – volume1 issue1
August 2014

Table 4: Health hazard faced by the women

through MGNREGA in Kalakkanmoi
Panchayat during April 2013

Women Beneficiaries
Illness
(in %)
Head ache 30

Physical pain 33.3

Malaise 16.7

Giddiness 20

Total 100
Source: computed from primary data

Field survey shows that 30 per cent suffer

During the pre MGNREGA due to headache, 33.3 per cent are due to physical
implementation, the people who borrowed loan pain, 20 per cent giddiness and 16.7 per cent due to
forced to migrate to repay their loan and make malaise. This is explained in table 3 and also
livelihood. Now an assured income through this shown in figure 3.
scheme substantially supports the rural vulnerable
section, specifically women which help them Fig. 3: Challenges of Women in MGNREGA
maintain the social dignity. The invisible benefits
also arise among women in rural areas due to
MGNREGA job. For instance, polite cloth and pay
ability to the village festivals (Vizha) provide
additional pride and decision making situation to
women in male controlled society.

5.2. Adverse Health Impacts

Various research studies found that the

adverse impact of MGNREGA on women health.
Prabavathy.M (2013) pointed out that women in
India have three areas to mange- house, child and
office. This multiple role of her causes problems at
domestic front, professional front or both. Rebecca
Holmes et al., (2011) notes that while women work
more hours than men, by combining domestic and 6. Conclusion
productive work, MGNREGA has no provision for
NREGP is widely acclaimed that it
flexible working hours to ease their time pressures
provides employment, income and help the rural
or support their duel responsibilities. Kiran Bhatty
people to come out of the poverty. In Sivaganga
(2006) claimed that women worker in NREGP are
district, MGNREGA generated 31, 30,809
forced to take medicine every day to get some
cumulative persondays during the FY2013-14, out
physical relief. The CAG report, 2013 chapter 13
of it, majority of the beneficiaries 86.06 per cent
stated that about eighty per cent of the beneficiaries
are women. The study finds that in Kalakkanmoi
reported that one or more of worksite facilities
panchayat, majority of the women respondent
were not provided in the worksites.
(43.3%) earned Rs.3072 income during the late
People in Kalakkanmoi panchayat are not
harvesting (April 2013). This increased income
only doing MGNREGA related work but also
through MGNREGA helps to fulfill the regular
perform agriculture operation in their own lands
needs of the household viz., food items, soap, cloth,
during the non-working days in NREGP. This has
utensil and essential healthcare items like
considerably reduced their leisure. Reduction of
painkiller, tablets. The majority of the women
leisure time and lack of worksite facilities
respondents 68.3 per cent are using MGNREGA
compound the problem and they easily succumb to
income to satisfy their family food consumption.
illnesses like headache, physical pain, malaise and
giddiness. The dark side of the scheme shows that it
takes away the leisure time enjoyed by the women
and forced to work during the hot climate. Lack of

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 SSRG International Journal of Economics and Management Studies (SSRG-IJEMS) – volume1 issue1
August 2014
worksite facility is also pushing women workers in
to risk both in physically and mentally. As a result,
they suffer due to various health related problems
viz., headache, physical pain, malaise and
giddiness. Nearly 33.3 per cent of the respondents
suffer due to physical pain. The study concluded
that despite these shortcomings, this programme
enhance their standard of living of the vulnerable
section of the society, particularly women who are
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