Impact of MGNREGA on Tribal Livelihood: A Case Study of Santhal Households in Pakur District of Jharkhand, India

Abstract

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is a pivotal welfare program in India, designed to ensure 100 days of guaranteed wage employment for rural households. The Santhal, a major Scheduled Tribe of eastern India, combine traditional indigenous practices with modern development in their socio-economic organisation, customary institutions, and livelihood strategies. For tribal communities like the Santhals of Pakur district (Jharkhand), MGNREGA has the potential to function as both a safety net and a catalyst for livelihood security. The study aims at finding out the extent of participation of MGNREGA among Santhal households in Pakur. This study assesses the influence of MGNREGA on income, migration, and household consumption within Santhal households in Pakur district. Primary data were gathered from 150 households across six blocks utilising a structured questionnaire. The data were examined through descriptive statistics and Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test methodologies after testing the data for normality. The results indicate a statistically significant upward shift in income categories and a reduction in reported seasonal migration following participation in MGNREGA. The research concludes that MGNREGA has favourably impacted the socio-economic status of Santhal households. The research highlights the necessity for MGNREGA to focus on the development of productive community assets, including irrigation facilities, land development structures, and water harvesting systems, to improve the livelihood resilience of tribal households. It advocates for enhancing execution to achieve more comprehensive livelihood advancements.