Do the Poor and the Vulnerable Participate more in the Work Fare Programme? Analysis of the Indian Programme

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is targeted to reduce the poverty of the poor and the vulnerable. As the programme is demand based, vulnerable segments of the population are more likely to participate with the likely intent to overcome their vulnerabilities. However, there are other segments of the population who participate in the programme. Hence the programme coverage has the potential to include all those who desire to work whether their vulnerabilities are visible or not. In this regard the programme has greater potential to reduce the poverty in all its forms.