Analysing the Socio-Personal and Economic Profile of MGNREGA Beneficiaries in Cooch-Behar District

Abstract

Rural development is the process of improving the quality of life and economic well-being of people living in relatively
isolated and sparsely populated areas. The need for rural communities to approach development from a wider perspective
has created more focus on a broad range of development goals rather than merely creating incentive for agricultural or
resource based businesses. The MGNREGA ranks among the most powerful initiatives ever undertaken for
transformation of rural livelihoods in India. The study was undertaken to analyse the socio-personal and economic profile
of MGNREGA beneficiaries. The study was conducted in Kokoabari and Dakkhin Kalarayer Kuthi villages of CoochBehar-II block of Cooch-Behar district in West Bengal. Purposive as well as simple random sampling procedures were
followed in the present study. The results showed high degree of female participation and more income generation in the
villages after the implementation of MGNREGA.