IMPACT OF MGNREGA ON SOCIOECONOMIC CONDITIONS OF BENEFICIARIES OF SRIKAKULAM DISTRICT OF ANDHRAPRADESH

The study was conducted purposively Selected Pathapatnam block in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh. Six villages selected purposively and from each selected village 20 respondents were selected randomly thus 120 respondents constituting the sample size for present study. Ex-post facto research design was followed and data was collected by using personal interview method. The collected data were tabulated, analyzed and interpreted with the appropriate statistical tools. Majority of beneficiaries (46.66 percent) was under the age group of 40 and above years. (48.33)per-cent non beneficiaries was exposed to magazines which was translated into local dialect. It was found from the present study that had an annual income of above 35000.It was noted that socioeconomic status of beneficiaries was better than non-beneficiaries. majority of the beneficiaries had most favorable attitude towards MGNREGA as compared to non-beneficiaries.it was also concluded that majority of the beneficiaries had a much better empowerment level as compared to non-beneficiaries. Majority of the beneficiaries had agreed that purchasing capacity had been improved as compared to non-beneficiaries which shows MGNREGA has played an important role in upliftment of economic status of the MGNREGA labours. Majority of the respondents faced the problem of delayed payment and bias attitude of panchayat members. On the whole it can be concluded that MGNREGA plays an effective developmental role in the lives of rural villagers.