Lok Sabha Question No. 2518 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-10
Subject: Aadhaar-based Payment System under MGNREGS
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Shri G Kumar Naik

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2518 ANSWERED ON 10/12/2024

## AADHAAR-BASED PAYMENT SYSTEM UNDER MGNREGS

## 2518. SHRI G KUMAR NAIK:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENTbe pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  issues  faced  by Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) workers due to the mandatory implementation of the Aadhaar-Based Payment System (ABPS) and the National Mobile Monitoring System (NMMS), if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the  number  and  percentage  of  MGNREGS  workers  who  have become ineligible for wages due to ABPS, including the number of worker names deleted since the  implementation of ABPS;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps  to  address wrongful exclusions of eligible workers under ABPS, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  assessment  on the impact of these digital mandates on MGNREGS's effectiveness  in  guaranteeing  rural  employment  and  timely wages,  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  if  not,  the  reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI KAMLESH PASWAN)

(a):  To ensure timely payment of wages to the beneficiaries under Mahatma  Gandhi  National  Rural  Employment  Guarantee  Scheme (Mahatma Gandhi NREGS)  and to address the issues arising due to frequent change of Bank account numbers by the beneficiaries and subsequent non-updation by the Programme Officers, it was decided to implement Aadhar Payment Bridge System (APBS). This has been made mandatory with effect from 1st January 2024. APBS helps in

improving the transparency and accountability of wage distribution under  the  scheme.  Aadhar  Authentication  reduces  leakage  and corruption  and  ensures  that  only   legitimate  beneficiaries  with verified  identities  receive  wages.   In  case  of  failure  in  payment through  APBS,  an  alternative  route  to  make  payment  is  available Automated Clearing House (NACH). In case States/UTs face any kind of issues or problems in respect of APBS the same are resolved on a priority through account based payment that is National basis.

National  Mobile  Monitoring  System  (NMMS)  App  was  made mandatory  from  23-01-2023  to  ensure  more  transparency  in  the implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (Mahatma Gandhi NREGS) in the States/UTs. In case  of  any  connectivity  issue  the  attendance  along  with  the photograph can be captured in offline  mode and can  be  uploaded once the device comes into network areas within a day. In case of exceptional  circumstances  due  to  which  attendance  could  not  be uploaded,  the  District  Programme  Coordinator  (DPC)  has  been authorized to upload the manual attendance.

The Ministry regularly organizes review meetings and workshops to provide ongoing support to the States/UTs. Technical challenges faced by the States and UTs in using the application is consistently  addressed  by  the  Ministry.  Additionally,  the  Ministry schedules  training  sessions  as  needed  to  ensure  that  States  and UTs remain updated on the NMMS app's usage.

(b)&(c):     Aadhar Payment Bridge System (APBS) is only a mode of payment  and  demand  for  work  cannot  be  denied  due  to  APBS. Updation/deletion of Job Cards is a regular exercise conducted by the  States/UTs  under  Mahatma  Gandhi NREGS. The Job cards are not  deleted  due  to reason  of  non-linking  of Aadhaar  with  bank accounts.

In the current financial year 2024-25 (as on 06.12.2024), a total number of 35.08 lakh job card have been deleted for the following reasons: (i) fake job card (incorrect job card), (ii) duplicate job card, (iii)  Households  not  willing  to  work,  (iv)  family  shifted  from  Gram Panchayat permanently and (v) single person in job card and that person is expired. Further, total number of 36.21 lakh new job card

have been issued in current financial year 2024-25 (as on 06.12.2024).

If  a  beneficiary  whose  name  has  been deleted  from  the database  of  NREGASoft  with  reason  of  unwillingness  to  work  or permanently  shifted  to  another  place  out  of  the  Gram  Panchayat, but later-on shows willingness to work, State Government has been provided  with  an  option  to  resume  such  worker's  job  card.  After successful resumption, the beneficiary can demand and work again under the scheme.

(d): The  focus on digitalization of payment  and  verification processes  aims  to  enhance  transparency,  efficiency,  and  timely disbursement of wages, and ensuring safeguard of workers' rights. To address any challenges faced during this transition, the Ministry provides  support  through  local  grievance  redressal  mechanisms, training  programs   and  on-ground  assistance  to  ensure  that  all eligible workers can seamlessly access the scheme  and  its benefits.

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