In order to reduce the level of poverty by providing job opportunities to the rural poor, the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGA) was introduced in 2005 under National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), 2005. On 2nd October 2009, NREGA has been renamed as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Act (MGNREGA). The MGNREGA provides 100 days of guaranteed employment opportunity in a financial year to any rural household whose adult members are willing to do unskilled manual work at the statutory minimum wages prescribed by the government. It is an important step towards the realisation of the Right to Work. It is also expected to enhance people’s livelihoods on a sustainable basis by developing the economic and social infrastructure in rural areas. A social audit is a process by which the people, the final beneficiares of any scheme, programme, policy or law, are empowered to audit such scheme, programme, policy and law. A social audit is an ongoing process by which the potential beneficiaries and other stakeholders of an activity or project are involved from the planning to the monitoring and evaluation of that activity or project. It thereby tries to ensure that the activity or project is designed and implemented in a manner that is most suited for the prevailing local conditions, appropriately reflects the priorities and preferences of those affected by it, and most effectively serves the public interest.

Diving into an original and unusually positive case study from India, Patching Development shows how development programs can be designed to work. How can development programs deliver benefits to marginalized citizens in ways that expand their rights and freedoms? Political will and good policy design are critical but often insufficient due to resistance from entrenched local power systems. In Patching Development, Rajesh Veeraraghavan presents an ethnography of one of the largest development programs in the world, the Indian National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), and examines NREGA's implementation in the South Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. He finds that the local system of power is extremely difficult to transform, not because of inertia, but because of coercive counter strategy from actors at the last mile and their ability to exploit information asymmetries. Upper-level NREGA bureaucrats in Andhra Pradesh do not possess the capacity to change the power axis through direct confrontation with local elites, but instead have relied on a continuous series of responses that react to local implementation and information, a process of patching development. Patching development is a top-down, fine-grained, iterative socio-technical process that makes local information about implementation visible through technology and enlists participation from marginalized citizens through social audits. These processes are neither neat nor orderly and have led to a contentious sphere where the exercise of power over documents, institutions and technology is intricate, fluid and highly situated. A highly original account with global significance, this book casts new light on the challenges and benefits of using information and technology in novel ways to implement development programs.

Empower yourself with knowledge and inspiration with "MGNREGA and Women Empowerment" by Annita Ranjan, a groundbreaking exploration of the transformative impact of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) on women's empowerment in India. Join Annita Ranjan as she delves into the profound implications of MGNREGA, a landmark government initiative aimed at providing employment opportunities and social security to rural households. Through meticulous research and insightful analysis, Ranjan sheds light on the ways in which MGNREGA has empowered women by enhancing their economic independence, social mobility, and political agency. Delve into the themes of gender equality, social justice, and grassroots democracy as Ranjan examines the role of MGNREGA in challenging traditional gender roles and empowering women to take control of their own destinies. From the empowerment of rural women as wage earners to their increased participation in decision-making processes at the local level, "MGNREGA and Women Empowerment" offers a comprehensive and nuanced exploration of the multifaceted dimensions of women's empowerment in rural India. Character analysis focuses on the countless women whose lives have been transformed by MGNREGA, from agricultural laborers and domestic workers to entrepreneurs and community leaders. Through their stories and experiences, readers gain insight into the challenges and triumphs of women's empowerment in India and the vital role that government policies can play in effecting positive change. The overall tone and mood of the book are one of hope, optimism, and empowerment, as Ranjan's insightful commentary and inspiring anecdotes illustrate the transformative power of grassroots activism and social welfare programs. From the bustling streets of rural villages to the corridors of power in New Delhi, "MGNREGA and Women Empowerment" offers a compelling and uplifting portrait of a nation on the path to gender equality and social justice. Critically acclaimed for its depth of research, clarity of analysis, and passionate advocacy for women's rights, "MGNREGA and Women Empowerment" has earned praise from scholars, policymakers, and activists alike for its ability to shed light on one of the most pressing issues of our time. Its enduring relevance as a seminal work on women's empowerment in India speaks to its universal appeal and timeless significance. Whether you're a student, scholar, policymaker, or activist, "MGNREGA and Women Empowerment" offers valuable insights and inspiration for anyone interested in promoting gender equality and social justice in India and beyond. Join Annita Ranjan on a journey of discovery and empowerment, and learn how grassroots initiatives like MGNREGA are transforming the lives of women in rural India. Don't miss your chance to be inspired by "MGNREGA and Women Empowerment" by Annita Ranjan. Order your copy today and join the movement for gender equality and social justice!

The book aims to explore South Asian third sector – the nonprofit organizations as provider of social services. The book defines social welfare and describe its relationship to social service programmes and individual well-being; understands the social policy development from the problem identification to policy implementation; describes the range of organization of social service agencies that are responsible for providing social welfare programmes; explores the various roles that professional and non- professional helpers provide in the delivery of social welfare and their influence in promoting change in policy development; and understands the umbrella concept of Child welfare, welfare of people with disability and elderly welfare in welfare policy.