National Rural Employment : Myth and Reality

ABSTRACT Realization of human rights is only possible when there is a scope of substantial access to employment. Lack of employment are the reality for the millions of rural labourers in India. Unemployment is not only a social problem it is an individual problem also. An unemployed person loses self-respect and faces a discouraging and disappointing outlook. His plight affects himself, his family and the society too. Thus, in a democracy, opportunity for employment becomes imperative and this has to be provided by the State through appropriate governmental policies. The government of India in commitment of eradicating poverty and hunger by providing employment to the rural poor enacted NREGA renamed Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 (MGNREGA), initiated on 5th September, 2005. The MGNREGA is enshrined in Article 41 (Right to work) in India’s constitution. However, while implementing the Act, it reveals many drawbacks, which needs urgent attention hence, this paper strives to provide effective measures.