How does the digital attendance system impact the effectiveness and transparency of MNREGA?

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) aims to provide wage employment and ensure livelihood security in rural areas. The introduction of a digital attendance system, like the National Mobile Monitoring System (NMMS), is intended to improve the monitoring and transparency of the scheme. However, its impact is mixed, especially considering rural technological limitations.

Positive Impacts:
• Enhanced Transparency: Digital attendance, often with geo-tagged and time-stamped photographs, reduces chances of fake attendance and ghost workers.
• Real-time Monitoring: Authorities can track attendance and work progress instantly, helping in timely wage payments and better project management.
• Accountability: Digital records make it easier to hold officials and contractors accountable, reducing corruption and leakages.

Challenges and Limitations:
• Limited Digital Access: Many rural areas face poor internet connectivity and lack of smartphones, making it difficult to implement digital attendance smoothly.
• Technological Literacy: Workers and local supervisors may not be familiar with smartphones or apps, leading to errors or exclusion of genuine workers.
• Operational Delays: Technical glitches or network failures can delay attendance marking, which may affect wage payments and worker morale.
• Exclusion Risks: Some genuine workers may be left out if they cannot be digitally documented, undermining the inclusivity of MNREGA.

Overall Impact:
• While digital attendance can strengthen transparency and reduce corruption, its effectiveness depends on digital infrastructure and capacity building in rural areas.
• Without addressing digital divide issues, there is a risk of hindering MNREGA’s primary goal of providing employment to the most vulnerable.