Economic development remains the major objective of any economy and rural
development is an integral part of overall development programme. Similarly, one of
the major objectives of the development planning in India, since independence, is
"Growth with social justice". Upliftment of villages has always remained and will
continue to remain to be the major area of achievements in all the discussions
pertaining to economic growth of the economy. India is country of villages and
according to census 2011, about 68.85 percent of its population reside in villages out
of which 25.70 percent live below the poverty line.
Majority of rural population of India depend on agriculture and allied activities for
their livelihood. Creation of employment opportunities in rural areas is affected by the
low rate of growth of agricultural sector. The poor, who are at the below subsistence
level, largely depend on the wages earned through unskilled casual manual labour.
The inadequate labour demand in lean period in agricultural sector and events like
natural calamities and personal ill-health, adversely affect the level of employment,
income and livelihood of rural population.
Employment generation in rural areas, therefore, becomes crucial for reducing
poverty. The quantum of unemployment helps to decide the action plan to be framed
and followed.
The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) was introduced in
Anatpur District of Andhra Pradesh by Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh on
February 2, 2006. NREGA had been renamed as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural
Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) on the occasion of 50th Anniversary of
launching of Panchayati Raj and observing 2009-10 as year of Gram Sabha in New
Delhi on 2nd October, 2009.
