The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) aims to enhance livelihood security in rural areas by providing at least 100 days of wage employment to households annually. Effective implementation of MGNREGA is critical for inclusive growth and development.
In recent years, the government has focused on harnessing technology to improve the functioning and monitoring of MGNREGA at grassroots level. Analyzing these key innovations is important for UPSC preparation.
GeoMGNREGA Portal
This geospatial portal allows Gram Panchayats to digitally plan location-specific works, ensuring assets are created as per local needs. Satellite remote sensing is used to monitor progress and ensure transparency.
Mobile Monitoring System
A mobile-based application system has been rolled out to enable real-time, paperless recording of attendance and measurements. This reduces delays in wage payments to workers.
Aadhaar Seedin
Linking Aadhaar numbers with job cards has weeded out bogus beneficiaries and ghost accounts, plugging leakage of funds. Biometric authentication ensures wages go to intended recipients.
Bhuvan MGNREGA
This web portal developed by ISRO provides high resolution satellite imagery to supplement ground level monitoring, ensuring effective visualization of completed works.
Other Initiatives
Digital payments via e-FMS, social audits through mobile apps, citizen information boards are other technology interventions enhancing last-mile service delivery.
Conclusion
Leveraging technology has allowed streamlining of processes, real-time monitoring, faster grievance redressal and plugging of leakages under MGNREGA. Critically analyzing such innovations is important for UPSC preparation.