RURAL TRANSFORMATION THROUGH MGNREGA: A GEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS IN CONTEXT OF SDGs IN INDIA

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is one of the programmes which is regarded as world’s largest Social Safety Net. By offering guaranteed wage employment, the programme seeks to expand the security of livelihood for households in rural India. Sustainable assets that support the growth of the economy and infrastructure have been produced through the scheme. Approximately 8.06 crore assets were built through MGNREGA covering 739 districts in India. These assets are spread out in 2,69,755 Gram Panchayats with participation of more than 26.67 crores workers. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) seeks to eradicate poverty, safeguard the environment, and guarantee that everyone lives in peace and prosperity. The 17 goals address poverty’s fundamental causes to enhance both human life and environmental sustainability. While the assets were being developed, ecological regeneration or rejuvenation produced a wide range of immediate and long-term advantages for the community. Directly or indirectly, using a decentralized approach, MGNREGA is performing its role in achieving four goals of sustainable development in India. In this paper, the concepts and outcomes of MGNREGA directly linked to SDGs are correlated and mapped in a holistic manner. The paper emphasizes local communities’ need to actively participate in planning and development processes at the regional level will positively influence the biosphere, society and economy at the national level.