ABSTRACT
The present study analyzes the financial and operational performance of the Mahatma Gandhi
National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in Karnataka from 2014–15 to
2023–24. Using comprehensive data on fund allocation, employment demand and provision,
job card issuance, project implementation, and payment efficiency, the paper highlights key
trends and patterns in the scheme’s execution over the decade. The analysis of fund flow
from 2019–20 to 2023–24 reveals fluctuations in total central releases, availability, and
expenditures, with a peak observed in 2023–24. Utilization percentages steadily improved,
reaching a high of 98.53% in the same year. The allocation between wages, materials, and
administrative expenses remained relatively balanced, and the average daily cost per person
and promptness of payments both showed positive trends. Additionally, job card issuance
among Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and other communities demonstrated
consistent growth, reflecting the state's inclusive approach. Employment trends indicate both
under- and over-achievement in meeting household work demands across years, underscoring
the dynamic nature of rural employment needs. The study observed a significant increase in
completed and ongoing works, peaking in 2022–23, affirming the growing scale of
MGNREGA activities in the state.
Key Words: Employment, Programme, Job Cards, Household, Poverty, Expenditure