Rural Employment in India: A Study in Two Different Geogrphicial Zones

Abstract

In Indiat72.2.per cent of population live in rural areas therefore development ofthe rural people is prime concern of the planners. Since independence (1947). Government of India has been paying attention for overall development of the rural people by implementation of self employment programmes and area development programmes. From 1973-74 onwards Government of India has been concentrating on poverty issues and succeeded to reduce poverty from 54.9 per cent to 23.6 per cent between the gap of thirty years (1973-74 and 2003-2004) but one forth of its population still live belozv the poverty line and because ofthe poverty they are unable to meet their day to day basic requirements. The major strategy adopted for poverty reduction is ensuring improvement in the growth rate with special focus on those sectors, which can generate employment. A key element of employment generation is implementation of targeted anti poverty programmes through selfemployment programmes and wage employment programmes. Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana (SGRY) is amalgamated version of erstwhile }aivahar Gram Samrudhi Yojana (]GSY) and Employment Assurance Scheme (EAS). The primary objective ofthe Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana is to provide additional and supplementary wage employment and thereby provide food security and improve nutritional levels among the rural poor. This study'' concentrates on implementation and effectiveness of the Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana especially in two different geographical zones of India. TJiis study finds that Sampoorna Gramin Rozgar Yojana is unable to create enough employment opportunities as per the requirement ofthe rural people and moreover, unable to prevent migration of the people. The mode of payment in tune of wage and supply of foodgrains found different from one to other areas existing in the same block. The implementing agencies find difficulty to provide enough employment to the needy due to lack of fiinds and misappropriation in supply of foodgrains is primé concern ofthe scheme.