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

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 Cooch Behar-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.