Jean Drèze

Jean Drèze is a prominent Indian economist and social activist known for his work on poverty, welfare economics, and social justice. He has been a strong advocate for the rights of the marginalized in India and has played a significant role in the formulation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), which provides a legal guarantee for at least 100 days of unskilled wage employment in a financial year to every rural household. Drèze's research often highlights the importance of targeted subsidies and welfare programs to alleviate poverty, while also emphasizing the need for accountability and transparency in government spending.