IT to make job guarantee scheme more transparent

NEW DELHI: Hand-held biometric devices and Internet kiosks are part of the rural development ministry's new strategy to ensure greater transparency and accountability in implementing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

The ministry also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to roll out a biometric database of beneficiaries.

The MoU, titled "Mahatma Gandhi NREGA making ICT (Information and Communication Technology) an instrument for people’s entitlement: A step towards governance reform and transparency", was signed by Rural Development Minister C.P. Joshi and UIDAI chairperson Nandan Nilekani on the 66th birth anniversary of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.

MGNREGA beneficiaries from Bhilwara in Rajasthan gave a demonstration of the potential of the biometric based ICT-process through a hand-held device, which the ministry intends to popularise in the entire country and launch in a phased manner.

Ministry officials said that the hand-held ICT device will improve the delivery mechanism in MGNREGA by capturing various processes such as registration, demand, allocation and measurement of work, attendance at worksite and wage payments.

The biometric data can be used by UIDAI for generating the UID number and by banks and post offices for servicing MGNREGA accounts through the business correspondent model.

The unique identity number, biometric system and ICT will also help connect the 2.50 lakh panchayats spread across the country.

Joshi said biometric system will help address issues such as delay of MGNREGA payments and bogus muster rolls, besides ensuring rights and entitlement of the beneficiaries and promoting transparency and accountability.

Stressing the need to strengthen infrastructure in panchayats, he said construction of 'panchayat ghars' and Bharat Nirman Rajiv Gandhi Sewa Kendras should be given a push.

The minister said panchayats should have dedicated staff which are trained in agricultural and social development.

Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia said that ICT hand-held device, which has the potential to work without power for several hours, can also be used for other development schemes.

Prime Minister's Advisor on Infrastructure Sam Pitroda joined the proceedings from Chicago via video-conferencing.

The job scheme has generated 777 crore person days since its launch in 2006 with women accounting for half the share.