© IJARW | ISSN (O) - 2582-1008 October 2019 | Vol. 1 Issue. 4 www.ijarw.com IJARW1055 International Journal of All Research Writings 12 MGNREGA: A SILVER BULLET PROJECT FOR WOMEN EMPOWERMENT A CASE STUDY OF KHARGRAM BLOCK OF MURSHIDABAD DISTRICT, WEST BENGAL Sri Shibu Paul Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Sripat Singh College, Jiaganj, Murshidabad, West Bengal ABSTRACT After independence a lot of poverty alleviation programme launched in India but there is no doubt to accept of the fact that MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Guarantee Act) has become the largest employment programme in the world now. Another aspect of this programme is that there is a provision which has given a space to the women to take part in the scheme and earn their livelihood. This is an opportunity to empower themselves economically because economic security and economic freedom is one of the main component of human life. It has a great impact on the women empowerment and development of rural population. With the participation of women to this project, gender inequalities in society are being eradicated rapidly. Thus the programme acts as a tool of transformation of the scenario of rural women and their lifestyle. Hence, this study aims at analysing the women’s participation on MGNREGA with special reference to Khargram Block, District of Murshidabad, West Bengal. Keyword: MGNREGA; women’s participation; empowerment; challenges. 1. INTRODUCTION Once Dr.A.P. J Abdul Kalam, the former president of India said that “Empowerment of women leads to development of a good family, good society and ultimately, a good nation”. In this sense, women empowerment means overall development of women and it include social, economic and political development of life. And economic independence is inter-related to other needs of life. Because Economic security and freedom increases purchasing power, increases social dignity, power of decision making and capacity of earning money. And economic security requires employment and an assured source of basic income adequate for meeting one’s basic needs. It is true that women occupy almost 50% of total economy of India. But the picture of the rural area is quite different. Rural women are traditionally homebound. They didn’t have no space to come out of their daily life and women engaged in any job was seemed as an offence. But the introduction of National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005 which was renamed as MGNREGA or Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act has given a space to them to make their lives better. This Act was brought into force by the Union Government in February 2006 and playing a significant role for the betterment for the women empowerment and development of rural population. The scheme is attractive especially for women because it stipulates that 1/3 rd of the total workers should be women. 2.REVIEW OF LITERATURE There are many studies done on evaluation of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. The literature reviewed here focused on the impact on rural women and their development after engaging into the scheme. Richard Mahapatra in his article “How Women Seized NREGA” mentions that unique features of the public wage programme turned it into a magnet for women. More women than men work under the national programme that guarantees employment to the rural people. Trishna Kalita in her article “Women’s Participation in NREGA” shares that women like NREGA work for various reasons. Firstly, it is locally available. Secondly, there is less chance of exploitation. Thirdly, there are regularity and predictability of working hours. Fourthly, such works are socially acceptable and dignified. And finally, they are better paid in comparison to the other works.