Primary Objective: The main goal of the JRY (later renamed Jawahar Gram Samridhi Yojana or JGSY) was to create employment opportunities, particularly in rural areas, thereby contributing to poverty alleviation.
Focus on Rural Employment: The scheme aimed to generate demand for employment in villages and ensure that at least 40% of the employment generated was for the rural poor, including women.
Poverty Alleviation: By providing employment, the scheme sought to increase the income levels of the rural poor, which is a direct method for poverty reduction.
Decentralized Planning: The implementation of JRY/JGSY involved the Panchayati Raj institutions, promoting decentralized planning and execution of rural development projects.
Infrastructure Development: Funds from the scheme were utilized for creating durable community assets like roads, schools, health centers, and other rural infrastructure.
Evolution of the Scheme: JRY was a significant rural employment scheme in India, and its objectives and implementation strategies evolved over time with schemes like JGSY and later Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana (SGRY).
Historical Context: Launched in 1989, JRY was a successor to the National Rural Employment Program (NREP) and the Rural Landless Employment Guarantee Program (RLEGP), consolidating their efforts to boost rural employment.
Financial Allocation: The scheme was funded on a 75:25 basis between the Central and State governments, highlighting the shared responsibility in rural development.
