Evaluating The Financial Performance of MGNREGS in Uttarakhand: An Analytical Study of Budget ‎Allocation, Expenditure Patterns, and Fund Utilization Efficiency

  • Authors

    • Tahawwar Husain Research Scholar, Department of Economics, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh
    • S.M. Jawed Akhtar Professor, Department of Economics, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh
    https://doi.org/10.14419/ha1g4881

    Received date: September 3, 2025

    Accepted date: November 6, 2025

    Published date: November 10, 2025

  • MGNREGS; Rural Development; Social Inclusion; Rural Sustainability; Women Empowerment

  • Abstract

    Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) is a ‎comprehensive and effective programme introduced by the Government of India in 2006 to ‎reduce poverty and unemployment in rural India. It has two objectives: one is to provide 100 ‎days of guaranteed wage employment to every rural household whose adult members are ‎willing to do unskilled manual work, and the second is to ensure a minimum of 33% ‎employment for women under the programme. This study aims to analyse the inclusiveness of ‎the programme and the employment opportunities it provides to marginalised communities, ‎such as Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and women, in Uttarakhand, India. ‎The study takes the secondary data from official websites of MGNREGA covering 2020-21 to ‎‎2024-25 on three broad parameters, such as (1) Financial Progress, (2) Physical Progress, and ‎‎(3) Inclusiveness of the programme. The study takes data from 2020–21 to 2024–25, and found ‎that MGNREGS experienced significant growth, characterised by increased budget allocations ‎and effective fund utilisation, indicative of strong implementation. The timely processing of ‎payments has consistently been outstanding, strengthening the confidence of the workforce. ‎The overall increase in employment days per household and infrastructure projects indicates a ‎beneficial effect of the scheme on rural livelihoods. Nonetheless, reductions in average wages ‎and variations in project completion highlight difficulties in wage advancement and task ‎execution. The consistent majority participation of women highlights the programme's ‎significance in promoting gender inclusion. Meanwhile, the stable involvement of Scheduled ‎Castes and the fluctuating participation of Scheduled Tribes indicate the influence of social and ‎regional dynamics. Changes in spending habits related to agriculture and resource management, ‎however, indicate a transformation in priorities. To ensure continued effectiveness, it is essential ‎to concentrate on enhancing wage rates, completing projects on schedule, and distributing ‎resources fairly‎.

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  • How to Cite

    Husain, T. ., & Akhtar , S. J. . (2025). Evaluating The Financial Performance of MGNREGS in Uttarakhand: An Analytical Study of Budget ‎Allocation, Expenditure Patterns, and Fund Utilization Efficiency. SPC Journal of Social Sciences, 6(1), 9-21. https://doi.org/10.14419/ha1g4881