Women empowerment through Mahatma Gandhi National rural employment guarantee scheme in Himachal Pradesh: a study of Mandi district

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) provides a legal Guarantee of 100 days of wage employment in a financial year to every rural household. It is also committed to ensure that at least 33% of the workers shall be women. The study aims to analyze the relevance of MNREGS on women empowerment in the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh State. Data were drawn from 250 responders through a field survey in 2016 using the random stratified sampling technique. Keeping the objective of study in mind, an elaborate interview schedule was designed to search out information from respondents. It helped in meeting the beneficiaries, investigating motives and feelings, etc. Significant benefit reported by the study includes success in raising the level of employment and income of the rural household women, thereby enhancing their purchasing power, satisfaction, confidence etc.