THE BATTLE FOR EMPLOYMENT GUARANTEE-PD

The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act NREGA is a unique initiative in the history of social securityit is not just an employment scheme but also a potential tool of economic and social change in rural areas. This volume presents the first comprehensive account of the battle for employment guarantee in rural India. Staying clear of the propaganda and mudslinging that has characterized much of the NREGA debate so far the book presents an informed and authentic picture of the ground realities. The essays are based on field studies of NREGA by a team of researchers who have been actively involved in the campaign for the right to work. They examine a widerange of issues such as entitlements corruption peoples perceptions of NREGA womens empowerment mobilization of unorganized workers and socioeconomic impact of NREGA. They also provide a comparative analysis of the challenges and successes in the implementation of NREGA in different states including Orissa Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan.