Mgnrega Implementation Issues and Problems Faced by Beneficaries of Doaba Region of Punjab

The study aimed at assessing implementation of MGNREGA in Doaba region of Punjab state. Two districts from this region were selected for the study i.e. Hoshiarpur and Nwanshaher. Further, two blocks per district, two villages per block and nine beneficiaries per village were selected to complete a sample of 72 beneficiaries. Interview schedule in five parts was prepared to elicit information regarding implementation procedure i.e. issuance of job cards, employment record, wage records, social audit and complaint redressed system. The major findings revealed some irregularity in implementation of MGNREGA such as documents verification never done before issuance of job cards, late payments to workers, lack of worksite facilities, non-maintenance of work and complaint registers and non-conductance of social audit. Workers got maximum 40-45 days of work which was much below the prescribed 150 days of employment. To make the scheme successful in improving quality of life of rural poor, it is very necessary that they should regularly participate in programme and share their difficulties and complaints regarding implementation of scheme. So, it can therefore be concluded that awareness needs to be generated amongst the beneficiaries through mass media and other campaigns for effective implementation and success of the scheme.