Information Asymmetry, Exclusion and Inclusion Errors and Elite Capture of MGNREGA: Critical Examination of IEC Strategies in Karnataka and Ways Forward

This paper investigates the relationships between inequality, elite capture, and information asymmetry of one of the largest rights-based workfare programme, MGNREGA. Study concentrates on the design of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities, awareness and access level about the programme by all stakeholders particularly poorest, weakest and the illiterate. Using Primary data collected during 2018, from 320 beneficiaries and 160 non beneficiaries and also data collected from implementing stakeholders in Karnataka State, study finds a conclusive evidence of information asymmetry, inclusion and exclusion errors and elite capture of the MGNREGA programme.