Safety Net That Works | The Indian Express

Safety Net That Works | The Indian Express

Written by Shonar Lala |Updated: June 4, 2019 3:48:07 am

The writer is a development economist who has previously worked at the World Bank and consults at 3ie

Safety Net That Works

Before contemplating new rural programmes, government must expand MGNREGA

Why reinvent the wheel when NREGA would provide a vital safety net — and the dignity of rightful employment — to those who are most vulnerable? (Shalini Nair)

In the run up to the elections, a plethora of redistributive programmes, including farm loan waivers, cash transfers and minimum income guarantees came to the forefront as campaigners sought to balm rural distress. Amongst these is a proposal to launch a revised NREGA 3.0, in which 150 days of employment would be guaranteed to the rural poor. Almost 15 years after it was enacted, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) still makes waves in the news, but very little is known about its impact on the poor. Has the world’s largest workfare programme worked?