Published Paper Details:

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) has been a significant policy initiative aimed at generating employment opportunities in rural India. This research paper presents a comparative analysis of the employment generation impact of MGNREGA in two districts of Jammu and Kashmir - Poonch and Kupwara. The study aims to assess the effectiveness of the scheme in providing livelihood security and reducing poverty in these distinct regions. The research adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. Secondary data from official government records and reports, including the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) and the respective state governments, are utilized to analyze the employment generation outcomes of MGNREGA in both districts before the year 2018. The findings reveal variations in the employment generation outcomes of MGNREGA between Poonch and Kupwara districts. While both regions have witnessed an increase in employment opportunities, the factors influencing the extent and effectiveness of employment generation differ significantly. The paper concludes by highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of MGNREGA's implementation in Poonch and Kupwara, offering policy recommendations to optimize its impact on employment generation and rural development in the region.