Employment guarantee scheme : impact on poverty and bondage among tribals

This book is of great value to students of economics, sociology and rural development, as well as to social and political workers. It attempts an objective assessment of the content and imple mentation of a novel and pioneering scheme-the Maharashtra government's Employment Guarantee Scheme (EGS). While examining the operation of the scheme in the Adivasi areas in the Thane district of Western Maharashtra, it points out serious shortcomings of the otherwise sound scheme, and makes useful sugge stions for improving its implementation. The book also studies the bonded labour system and the enforcement of the law aiming at its abolition. The author has interviewed a number of bonded labourers and tried to identify the circumstances which perpetuate the system. The EGS, the author contends, can be used to liberate and rehabilitate the bonded labourers, only if those implementing it have some tact, imagination and sincerity of purpose.