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CHAPTER- 2

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Methodology is a planning or a scheme which is needed in each and every sphere

of life. When we start any research it is necessary to plan all the procedures and

methods to be used. The method employed for the present study was qualitative as

well as quantitative one. The study employed Methodology of interpretative

understanding, whereby, the phenomenon has been studied with its underlying values

and meanings.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

1. To examine the extent and pattern of participation across caste, class and gender

lines under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act

(MGNREGA).

2. To what extent MGNREGA has been able to improve the socio-economic

conditions of the households employed under MGNREGA.

3. To find out the problems faced in the execution of the MGNREGA.

4. To examine the Role of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and other government

functionaries in the implementation of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural

Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

DESIGN OF RESEARCH

For the present study exploratory research design has been employed. This helped

us in exploring and understanding certain issues in the field situations. Further, it enabled

us to gather the information which was not pre-confined in the interview schedule. The

issues in relation to the wage- rates, nature of work, working conditions, worksite

facilities, earning and expenditures etc. were probed in detail by using the exploratory

research design for the present study.

SAMPLING

For the present study, multi-stage sampling has been used. Firstly out of

21districts, two districts of Haryana have been selected, one where the Mahatma Gandhi

National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) was initiated in the beginning

by the government on February 2, 2006 and the other district where the programme was

implemented at the later stage on April 1, 2008. Another reason for the selection of these

two districts was that Jhajjar district has the highest literacy rate and Mahendergarh

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district belongs to less economically developed area. In the beginning, the Mahatma

Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) was started in two

districts of Haryana namely Sirsa and Mahendergarh. From these two districts one district

has been selected through lottery method. From the remaining 19 districts where the

programme of rural employment was started in the later stage, one district has been

selected through lottery method. From each district, one block has been selected through

lottery method (Table 2.1).

Table-2.1

No. of Respondents selected from the studied villages

Haryana

Jhajjar Mahendergarh

Total

Dehkora Chhudani Rajawas Digrota

Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male+

Female

43 59 71 64 40 43 50 40 206+204

Total= 102 Total=135 Total83 Total=90 410

The total respondents were 410 i.e. 204 males and 206 females workers. The

selected four villages under this study were: Dehkora and Chhudani from District Jhajjar,

Rajawas and Digrota from District Mahendergarh. Numbers of respondents were taken

from Dehkora 102 respondents (43 males, 59 females), Chhudani 135 respondents (71

males, 64 females), Rajawas 83 respondents (40 males, 43 females) and Digrota 90

respondents (50 males, 40 females). Age-group of the respondents was 18-60 years. The

respondents were selected from different castes in all the selected villages.

From each of the selected block, all the villages have been divided into two categories

on the basis of population of the village as per census 2011. Another factor considered

was the scheduled caste population in these villages. These two categories representing

each block demarcated as big village and small village category. From these two

categories, one village from the large population village and other the small population

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category has been selected through stratified random sampling method. In all the four

villages have been selected from two blocks of the two districts of Haryana. The four

villages selected from two blocks of the two districts of Haryana have been intensively

studied keeping in mind the objectives of the study.

TOOLS OF DATA COLLECTION

For the collection of data, we have adopted interview schedule and observation as

major techniques. Interview is like a process of social interaction, while schedule is a set of

questions which are asked by the interviewer in a face to face situation. Questions

contained in the interview schedule were about their age; caste; education; income of

family, marital status etc. At the same time worksite facilities; work location; employment

availability in a year and their attitude towards MGNREGA etc. were also studied.

Interview schedule had both open and closed ended questions. The interview

schedule was prepared into two parts, the first part concerned with tracing out information

regarding the socio-economic background of the respondents and later part concerned with

the problem itself. For avoiding the objectivity we were also employed observation method.

The process of data collection through fieldwork was not entirely smooth. During the study

we had to face some unpleasant situations. Although we have explained the purpose of the

study, yet some respondents reserved their knowledge in some aspects.

Apart from the primary data collected through interview schedule, secondary data

have also been collected from the district census reports; district employment reports; state

employment reports; newspaper reports; Haryana statistical abstract reports etc. All the

people employed under MGNREGA in four villages have been studied using interview

schedule method and observation method. Further various formal and informal talks have

been organised, so that the hidden ground reality may be brought out.

LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

The Study is confined to four villages only. That‟s why it becomes difficult to know

all the regional socio-economic disparities of an area. While studying there were some

difficulties and constraints in the field situation. On carrying out this study, we observed

that some respondents were reluctant to give all the required information. Either they used

to hesitate to give information as it was been noticed that the people engaged in

MGNREGA with hesitate to give information regarding the socio- economic status.

Similarly it was difficult to gather information which was having prejudices towards

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government. Often it has observed that the respondents generally give the round figure

information of the wages.

AREA OF THE STUDY

Present study was conducted in four villages of Haryana. Haryana, a part of Indo-

Gangetic plain and a state of northern region of the Indian union, was constituted on

November 1st , 1966 as a result of reorganization of composite Punjab on linguistic basis,

Punjabi speaking Punjab and Hindi speaking Haryana.

Haryana is one of the fastest growing states of the country. It is bonded on North-

West by Punjab, North-East by Himachal Pradesh, on the East by Uttar Pradesh and Union

Territory of Delhi and on the South by Rajasthan (See map). Haryana is a small Indian state

with an area of only 44000 square kms. Amongst it the rural population is 165.31 lacs

(65.21 percent of total) and the population of urban areas is 88.22 lacs (34.79 percent of

total). Haryana‟s rural population accounts for roughly two percent of India‟s total rural

population. Population density of Haryana is 573 per square km. and sex ratio is 877/1000,

total literacy rate in Haryana is 76.64 percent, out of which male literacy rate is 85.38

percent and female literacy is 66.77 percent. Among the total population 73.74 percent lives

in rural areas and 83.83 percent lives in urban areas. Total population of Haryana is

2,53,53,081, among them 1,35,05,138 are male and 1,18,47,951 are females (census 2011).

It consists of 4 divisions, 21 districts, 74 tehsils, 154 towns, 119 blocks and 6841

inhabited villages. Excepting some hills of the Siwalik system in the north and of the

Aravali system in the south, Haryana state is a plain area. The northern part generally

slopes imperceptibly from the north-east to south-west. Both the southern sections are

undulating due to number of small hills of the Aravali system and sand dunes.

Physiographically Haryana can be divided into three physiographic regions namely; the

hilly area and the piedmont region, the flood plain and the sandy undulating plain.

Geologically speaking the state is of very recent age. Its surface has been build up by the

silting action of its wayward streams. The siwalik, it in the north is composed of sand, silt,

clay and conglomerates of ranging in age from the middle Eocene to lower Pleistocene. The

plain of Haryana is formed by the deposition of alluvial sediments brought by the

Himalayan Rivers. The southern Haryana have the Aravali offshoots and have sand dunes

of varying heights and size. The climate of Haryana is semi-arid in the rest of the state. The

underground water in Haryana is beneficial only in parts. About 70/80 percent of the state

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population is depend on agriculture and contribute significant part of the state‟s income and

more than 80 percent of its geographical area is under cultivated crops.

Present study was conducted in four villages of Haryana; two villages were from

block Bahadurgarh in Jhajjar district and other two were from block Satnali in

Mahendergarh district. We have selected two villages named Dehkora and Chhudani from

Bahadurgarh block and two villages named Rajawas and Digrota from Satnali block of

district Mahendergarh in Haryana.

PROFILE OF THE VILLAGES

1. DEHKORA

Geographical Location

Dehkora is one of the two villages of block Bahadurgarh in Jhajjar district. It is located

near about 15 km. in west of Bahadurgarh and about 25 km. in east of Rohtak. It has one

gram panchayat. It is a female headed village and the name of the sarpanch is Kiran Devi.

Population

The total population of village Dehkora is 2902, in which 1555 are males and 1347 are

females. In the village there are 54 BPL families.

Education

The village has a govt. high school, a govt. primary school, a private play school and 3

Anganbadis are also there. Literate persons in the village are 2166 among them 1307 are

male and 859 are females. And illiterate persons in the village are 738 among them 248 are

male and 488 are females.

Occupation

The main occupation of the village is agriculture. There are very few people employed in

regular government or private jobs. Some people are street hawker and many other people

are engaged in construction labour.

Caste Composition

There are 10 castes in the village- Jat, Brahmin, Khati, Luhar, Kumhar, Bairagi, Nai,

Chamar, Dhanak and Balmiki. Among general caste Jats are in majority followed by

Brahmin. Among backward caste the large numbers of people are Khati, Luhar, Kumhar,

Bairagi and Nai. And in scheduled caste there were Chamar, Dhanak and Balmiki.

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Cropping Pattern

The main crops of the village are Wheat, Rice, Methis, Jawar, sugarcane and Mustard.

Many people are engaged in govt. jobs and some people are belonging to business also.

There is a good facility of education in the village. The village has been electrified and

connected with pucka roads. Besides telephone facilities has also been provided.

Religious Place:

There are two temples in the village, one of Lord Shiva and special Pooja taken

place every Monday. The Lord Shiva temple covers about 2 acres of land and other

temple is situated on road in the west of the village.

Other Facilities

In the village there are 2 chaupals, 2 ponds for cattles, a veterinary hospital and a

sewing centre is also there.

2. CHHUDANI

Geographical Location:

Chhudani is one of the two villages of block Bahadurgarh in district Jhajjar for the

study. Chhudani is the village which is situated on the Jhajjar-bahadurgarh Road and falls

on a link road about 2.40 km from the main road. It is at a distance of 20 kilometers from

bahadurgarh and about 13 kilometers from Jhajjar.

Population:

The village has a population of 3533 people, in which male population is 1927 and

female population is 1606.

Caste Composition:

Chhudani is a multi-caste village comprising of Jats, Brahmins, Bairagi, Saini,

Lohar, Nai, Kumhar, Chamar and Dhanak. Jat and Brahmin constitute the higher castes,

Bairagi, Kumhar, Saini and Nai are in other backward castes category. Chamar and

Dhanak are in scheduled castes category. Jats are dominate the village community. At

present the sarpanch of the village is form Jat caste, named Ratan Sagar.

Education:

Literate persons in the village are 2554 among them 1509 are male and 1045 are

females. And illiterate persons in the village are 979 among them 418 are male and 561

are females. The literacy rate of this village is 72.28 percent, in which male literacy rate is

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59.08 percent and female literacy rate 40.92 percent. This village has one government

high school. There is no senior secondary school in the village. There is one private high

school, so the education facility in this village is not very good. For higher senior

secondary study, the students of this village go to jhajjar or other villages and for further

study; the students have to go Bahadurgarh, Sampla or Rohtak.

Religious Place:

There are two old temples in the village Temples are situated in the middle of the

village.

Cropping Patterns:

Kharif and Rabi are the two main seasons in which different crops are grown. In

Kharif crops rice, sugarcane, bajra, jawar are routine is also grow. In Rabi crops, wheat

and mustard are the main crops. The farmers are mostly dependent on south-west

monsoons or tubewells. Tubewells are run by electric and Diesel. Underground water of

the cultivable land is fit for irrigation. Agriculture is totally done by modern machines.

No traditional equipment for agriculture is being used in the village. Tractor and other

equipment are utilized in brick-kilns after the harvesting season.

Occupation:

Main occupation of the villages is agriculture. During the time, when crops are not

grown in the fields, mostly people do labour work, in which even higher castes people are

involved. There are very few people employed in regular government or private jobs.

Many people are street hawker in the village and many other are performing labour work.

Other Facilities:

The village has totally Pakka houses. The street of the village are made of bricks

and cemented. There are street lights in the village. The transportation facility in the

village is very good. For the transportation facility villagers upon their own vehicle and

private vehicle as auto and jeep and also used by them but there is no government facility

available for public transportation. For child immunization, it is done through

„Anganwaris‟. There is also a veterinary hospital in the village to care for cattle. There are

5 chaupals in the village. There are 4 anganwadi centers in the village. There are 2 ponds

for cattle in the village. There are 2 private filter plants for drinking water in the village.

Popular Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag is also from village Chhudani.

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3. RAJAWAS

Geographical Location:

The village Rajawas is also taken for the study which is situated in Mahendergarh

district in Haryana. This village is situated on Mahendergarh- Satnali Road and falls on a

link road about 10 km from the main road. It is at a distance of 20 kilometers from

Mahendergarh and about 13 kilometers from Satnali.

Population:

The village has a population of 2675 people, in which male population is 1418 and

female population is 1257.

Caste Composition:

Rajawas is a multi-caste village comprising of Jats, Brahmins, Bairagi, Saini,

Lohar, Nai, Kumhar, Chamar and Dhanak. Jat and Brahmin constitute the higher castes;

Bairagi, Kumhar, Saini and Nai are in other backward castes category. Chamar and

Dhanak are in scheduled castes category. Jats are dominating the village community. At

present the sarpanch of the village is from Dhanak caste.

Education:

The literacy rate of this village is 72.78, in which male literacy rate is 86.23 and

female literacy rate 59.33. This village has one government high school. There is no

senior secondary school in the village, so the education facility in this village is not very

good. For higher senior secondary study, the students of this village go to Mahendergarh

or other villages for further study.

Cropping Patterns:

Most of the population of the village is directly or indirectly depends on

agriculture. Kharif and Rabi are the two main seasons in which different crops are

grown. In Kharif crops rice, sugarcane, bajra, jawar are routine is also grow. In Rabi

crops, wheat and mustard are the main crops. During the dry summer season, most of the

land remains uncultivated except a very small part in which green fodder for cattles is

grown. Agriculture is totally done by modern machines. No traditional equipment for

agriculture is being used in the village. Tractor and other equipment are utilized in brick-

kilns after the harvesting season.

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Occupation:

Main occupation of the village is agriculture. During the lean season, when crops

are not sown in the fields, mostly people do labour work, in which even higher castes

people are involved. In remaining time mostly people to carry Poultry farming as well as

animal husbandry. There are very few people employed in regular government or private

jobs.

Other Facilities:

The village has totally Pakka houses. The street of the village are made of bricks

and cemented. There are street lights in the village. The transportation facility in the

village is not good. For the transportation the villagers uses their own vehicles and some

government buses comes time to time.

4. DIGROTA

Geographical Location

Digrota is one of the two villages of block Satnali in Mahendergarh district. It is located

in west of Mahendergarh. It has only one gram panchayat. It is a female headed village.

Population

The total population of village Digrota is 3310 in which 1721 are males and 1589 are

females.

Education

Literate persons in the village are 2050 among them 1249 are male and 801 are females.

And illiterate persons in the village are 1260 among them 472 are male and 788 are

females. The village has a govt. high school, a govt. primary school.

Caste Composition

There are 9 castes in the village- Jat, Brahmin, Khati, Luhar, Kumhar, Bairagi, Nai,

Chamar, Dhanak. Among general caste Jats are in majority followed by Brahmin. Among

backward caste the large numbers of people are Khati, Luhar, Kumhar, Bairagi and Nai.

And in scheduled caste there were Chamar, Dhanak.

Occupation

Main occupation of the villages is agriculture. During the time, when crops are not

sown in the fields, mostly people do labour work, in which even higher castes people are

involved. In remaining time mostly people to carry animal husbandry. There are very few

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people employed in regular government or private jobs and some people are belonging to

business also.

Cropping Patterns:

The main occupation of the village is agriculture. The main crops of the village

are Wheat, Rice, Methis, Jawar, sugarcane and Mustard. Kharif and Rabi are the two

main seasons in which different crops are grown. In Kharif crops rice, sugarcane, bajra,

jawar are routine is also grow. In Rabi crops, wheat and mustard are the main crops.

During the dry summer season, most of the land remains uncultivated except a very small

part in which green fodder for cattles is grown. Agriculture is totally done by modern

machines. No traditional equipment for agriculture is being used in the village. Tractor

and other equipment are utilized in brick-kilns after the harvesting season.

Other Facilities:

The village has totally Pakka houses. The street of the village are made of bricks

and cemented. There are street lights in the village. The transportation facility in the

village is average. For the transportation facility villagers use their own vehicles and

private vehicle as auto and jeep and also some government facility available for public

transportation. In the village there are 3 Anganbadis. In the village there are 2 chaupals.

The socio-economic condition of the village is good. There are many facilities available

in the village. Village has been electrified and connected with pucka roads. Besides

telephone facilities has also been provided.

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Table 2.2

Caste-Composition of the respondents

Sr.No.

Higher Castes

No. of Respondents

Percentage

1. Jats 22 05.37

2. Brahmins 19 04.63

3. Rajputs 12 02.93

Total 53 12.92

Sr.No.

Other Backward Castes

No. of Respondents

Percentage

4. Ahirs 19 04.63

5. Sunars 12 02.93

6. Khatis 14 03.42

7. Bairagis 10 02.44

8. Luhars 20 04.88

9. Nais 24 05.85

10. Kumhars 23 05.62

11. Telis 08 01.95

Total 130 31.72

Sr.No.

Scheduled Castes

No. of Respondents

Percentage

12. Dhanaks 83 20.24

13. Chamars 80 19.51

14. Balmikis 64 15.61

Total 227 55.36

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According to table 2.2, the caste-composition of the MGNREGA workers reveals

that out of the total sample, 5.37 percent respondents were Jats and 4.63 Brahmin

respectively as well 2.93 percent were Rajpoot, 4.63 percent Ahirs, 2.93 percent Sunar

and 3.42 percent were Khati respectively. And 2.44 percent respondents were Bairagi,

4.88 percent Luhar, 5.85 percent respondents were Nai, 5.62 percent were Kumhar and

1.95 percent were Teli respectively. Majority of the respondents were from Dhanak

20.24 percent followed by Chamar 19.51 percent and Balmiki 15.61 percent. So the

majority of the sample workers were from the scheduled castes (55.36 percent).

5.37% 4.63%

2.93%

4.63%

2.93%

3.42%

2.44% 4.88%

5.85%

5.62% 1.95%

20.24%

19.51%

15.61%

Caste-Composition of the respondents.

Jat

Brahmin

Rajpoot

Yadav

Sunar

Khati

Bairagi

Luhar

Nai

Kumhar

Teli