Lok Sabha Question No. 3172 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-04
Subject: Mode of Payment under MGNREGS
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: NARANBHAI KACHHADIA, (SMT.) RATNA DE(NAG)

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO .3172

TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.0 8.201 6

## MODE OF PAYMENT UNDER MGNREGS

## 3172. SHRI NARANBHAI KACHHADIYA: DR. RATNA DE (NAG):

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  G overnment  has  started  the  use  of  Automated  Handheld  Devices  fo payments  and  verification  of  works  being  done  under  Mahatma  Gandhi  Nationa Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS);
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the other steps taken/being taken to bring accountability and transparency in scheme?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT ( SHRI RAM KRIPAL YADAV )

- ( a) &(b):  Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have started use of handheld devices/mo phones for payment and verification of works under the Scheme.
- (c): The major steps taken by the Government to improve the programme imple entation under MGNREGA are given in the Annexure.

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## Annexure  referred  to  in  reply  to  part  (c) of  Lok  Sabha  Unstarred Question No. 3172 dated 04.08.2016

## Major steps taken by the Government to improve the  programme implementation under MGNREGA

## Better planning and asset identification

- An Intensive Participatory Planning Exercise (IPPE) /Mission Antyodaya has been launched in 2569 most backward blocks. This exercise has helped in identifying better quality assets that need to be created.
- For improving convergence with the line departments, and thereby to improve the quality of assets, the State Convergence Plans have been formulated.

## Improving the quality of works

- The  associated  outcomes  of  each  work  are  being  recorded  before taking up  the work, and  the same  is being measured  after completion of the work-thereby bringing in more focus  on outcomes.
- The States/UTs have been asked to deploy State Quality Monitors to inspect the quality of assets created under the Scheme.
- Ministry  has  conducted  training  of  Technical  Resource  Persons from the States/UTs on different technical aspects of works which can be taken up under the scheme. States have been asked to train Block  resource  persons  and  district  resource  persons  to  from technical teams.
- States  have  been  advised  to  engage  technical  assistants/barefoot engineers  for  better technical  planning  and  supervision  of works under MGNREG.

## Better transparency, accountability and grievance redressal

- States/UTs have been asked to strengthen Social audits of MGNREGS works in accordance with the provisions of the Audit of Schemes  Rules  2011  issued  in  consultation  with  the Comptroller and  Auditor  General  of  India. Social  Audit  Action  Plan  has  been formulated and shared with States.
- The Ministry has established a comprehensive system of monitoring and  review  mechanism  for  MGNREGA,  which,  inter  alia,  include visits of the Officers of the Ministry and National Level Monitors.
- All  States  have  been  requested  to  set  up  an  independent  Social Audit Unit (SAU) and appoint Ombudsman at the district level for grievance redressal.
- With a view to avoid bogus attendance and to check instances of tempering and misuse of muster rolls, the e-Muster system has been introduced.

## Fund management and avoiding delays in payment

The  Ministry  has  initiated  Electronic  Fund  Management  System  (eFMS)  which  directly  credits  the  wages  into  the  respective  beneficiary's accounts  using  the  core  banking  system.  The  Central  Government  has  also started National  Electronic  Fund  Management  System (NeFMS) in  11  States (Assam, Bihar, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala Odisha Punjab, Rajasthan, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and Uttrakhand) and launched Dashboard for tracking of pending Fund Transfer Orders, Public Fund Management  System, electronic Fund Management System, Direct Benefit Transfer etc.

## Monitoring and Review Mechanism

- The Scheme is regularly reviewed in the Performance Review Committee meetings, Video conferences and Regional Review meetings. State specific reviews are also undertaken from time to time. Officers of the Ministry and National Level Monitors also visit various districts to oversee the performance of MGNREGA.