'Around 51 per cent women participated in MGNREGA'

Women participation in the flagship rural job scheme MGNREGA has clocked around 51 per cent this financial year, which was the maximum in the last three years, Lok Sabha was told today.
In a written reply in the House, Rural Development Minister Birender Singh said the participation of women in MGNREGA in 2015-16 has increased in comparison to last three years.
A total of 331.18 lakh women participated in MGNREGA till March 7 this year, which is 50.94 per cent of the total 650.14 lakh persons having participated in the rural job scheme in 2015-16, as per the figures given by the Rural Development Ministry.

In 2012-13, a total of 797.34 lakh persons participated in the scheme of whom 374.97 lakh were women, constituting 47.03 per cent.
In 2013-14, 738.90 lakh persons took part in the programme and the number of women was 354.48 lakh, accounting for 47.97 per cent.
In 2014-15, a total of 621.69 lakh people participated in the programme, of whom women 312.26 lakh, constituting 50.23 per cent.
Statewise figures show that Puduchery tops the list in women representation in MGNREGA. 85.07 per cent of the total participation in MGNREGA in the state is that of women this year while it was 85.57 per cent in the last financial year.

Women also outnumbered men in Andhra Pradesh in MGNREGA participation. Women participation was 54.64 per cent in 2012-13, 54.84 per cent in 2013-14, 54.03 per cent in 2014-15 and 53.54 percent in this financial year so far.