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Workfare programs and children’s meals intake: Evidence from India

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  • Bagavathinathan, Karan Singh
  • Chaurey, Ritam

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of the Indian workfare program (MGNREGA - Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) that promotes female participation, on the food consumption of children. Using nationally representative data from the National Sample Surveys between 1999–2007, and a difference-in-differences strategy stemming from the staggered roll-out of the program across districts of India, we find that MGNREGA resulted in a decrease in the number of meals for preschool and school-going children. The negative effects on the number of meals are partially attenuated in larger households.

Suggested Citation

  • Bagavathinathan, Karan Singh & Chaurey, Ritam, 2020. "Workfare programs and children’s meals intake: Evidence from India," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jfpoli:v:95:y:2020:i:c:s0306919220301469
    DOI: 10.1016/j.foodpol.2020.101942
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Workfare programs; Child nutrition; Female employment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I15 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Economic Development
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development

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