Main Article Content
Abstract
The scheme was launched on 2nd October, 1993 in 1775 identified backward blocks situated in drought prone, desert, tribal and hilly areas. Subsequently, the scheme was extended to additional blocks including 722 blocks previously covered under the second stream of JRY. The scheme was universalised to cover all the rural blocks in the country w.e.f. 1.4.1997.The main objective of the EAS is to provide about 100 days of assured casual manual employment during the lean agricultural season, at statutory minimum wages to all persons above the age of 18 years and below 60 years who need and seek employment on economically productive and labour intensive social and community works. The works are to be selected by the District collector and implemented through the line departments in such a manner that the ratio of wages to non-wage component would stand60:40. A maximum of two adults per family are to be provided employment under the scheme. The EAS is a centrally sponsored demand driven scheme under which no fixed allocations are made for the districts/blocks. An initial national allocation are made to districts at the commencement of each year and thereafter depending on the demand for supplementary employment and the actual utilisation of funds, the districts can request for additional funds. The study had evaluated the performance of the EAS to suggest viable measures for successful implementation of Employment Assurance Scheme