Women’s Participation and MGNREGP with Special Reference to Coonoor in Nilgiris District: Issues and Challenges

The MGNREGA 2005, plays a significant role to meet the practical as well as strategic needs of women’s participation. It is a self –targeting programme, intended in increasing outreach to the poor and marginalized sections of the society such as women and helping them towards the cause of financial and economic inclusion in the society. In the rural milieu, it promises employment opportunities for women and their empowerment. While their hardships have been reduced due to developmental projects carried out in rural areas, self-earnings have improved their status to a certain extent. However, women’s decision for participation and their share in MNREGP jobs is hindered by various factors. Apart from some structural problems, inattentiveness and improper implementation of scheme, social attitudes, exploitation and corruption have put question marks over the intents of the programme. At this juncture, the litmus test of the policy will have an impact on the entire process of rural development and women employment opportunities in India. There is excitement as well as disappointment over the implementation on the Act. The scheme has huge potential for regenerating employment opportunities provided there is the resolution of loopholes. This paper discusses status of women participation in Tamil Nadu, their employment opportunities in coonoor taluk and issues and challenges under MGNREGP.