Public Works Programs as a Development Strategy for Marginalized Groups: A case study of tribal MNREGA-participants in Wayanad, Kerala

Abstract: In recent years, the practice of adopting Public Works Programs (PWPs) as a development strategy has increased in developing countries. Successful PWPs have the potential to act as a social protection scheme for the poor and stimulate their economic development. In 2006, the Indian government launched the yet largest PWP, as a way to create a more inclusive growth in the country – the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA). As a PWP is most needed by the weakest sections of the society this study has grasped the opportunity to investigate how MNREGA is faring as a development strategy for one of the weakest sections of the Indian society, the Scheduled Tribes. Based on a qualitative field study in Wayanad – the district with the largest tribal population in the South-Indian State Kerala – the study investigates how MNREGA is affecting the personal economic situation of its tribal participants. Through its qualitative approach the study sets out to understand the effects of MNREGA-participation in practice, an important factor to understand in order to understand the overall effects of the scheme. Within the focus of MNREGA as a PWP, three features have been given special emphasis: the wage level, the timing of the scheme and the outcome of ‘self-targeting’ in relation to access to the created assets of the program. The findings suggest that while MNREGA has succeeded in creating more work opportunities, the program is not optimally designed as a PWP concerning its too low wage level, and that the implementation falls short concerning the current poor timing throughout the year and inadequate creation of productive assets.