MNREGS, the UPA government's flagship rural employment guarantee scheme, has benefited women and unskilled labourers the most, an official said Tuesday.
The MNREGS has also had a positive impact on agricultural wages and wages in general in rural areas, which had been stagnant for a long time, the official said.
MNREGS wages have been revised from April 1 to factor in inflation. A maximum wage of Rs.214 has been fixed for Haryana and a minimum of Rs.135 for the northeastern states.
The National Sample Survey Office's 66th round confirms that the MGNREGS has reduced the traditional gender wage discrimination, which was apparent in several states across the country, the officials said.
Gains from the rise in wages are more for the poor and marginalised, including women.
An average of five crore households have been given employment every year since 2008. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes account for 50 percent of the total person-days generated.