ShodhPatra: International Journal of Science and Humanities

Impact of MGNREGA on Rural Income and Employment in the Basar Area of Leparada District, Arunachal Pradesh

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) represents a landmark intervention in India’s rural development strategy by legally guaranteeing wage employment and strengthening livelihood security. In geographically remote and economically vulnerable regions such as Arunachal Pradesh, the programme assumes heightened significance due to limited non-farm employment opportunities and seasonal instability in agricultural income. This study examines the impact of MGNREGA on rural income and employment in the Basar area of Leparada district, using primary survey data collected from beneficiary households. The analysis focuses on employment generation, income security, social inclusion, migration dynamics, and implementation challenges. The findings indicate that MGNREGA has played a stabilizing role in rural livelihoods by providing supplementary income, enhancing employment opportunities for women and weaker sections, and reducing dependence on seasonal migration. However, persistent challenges related to wage delays, planning inefficiencies, and institutional accountability constrain the programme’s effectiveness. The study argues that while MGNREGA functions as an important social safety net in the Basar area, its transformative potential depends on improved governance and local-level implementation.