At a time of when the extension of panchayati raj to the entire country is frequently cited as a major achievement of India's democracy, there are thousands of villagers who are still deprived of the coverage of panchayati raj and its numerous benefits. These villagers are called taungya settlers.

The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, which entitles rural households to 100 days of casual employment on public works at the statutory minimum wage, contains special provisions to ensure full participation of women. This paper, based on fieldwork in six states in 2008, examines the socio-economic consequences of the nrega for women workers.

An appraisal of the report of the central government committee set up to look into credit-related issues under the Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana.