The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) was introduced to prevent distress migration by providing employment opportunities in rural areas. The use of technology has had both positive and negative effects on this objective.

• Positive Effects:
• Digitization of records and wages has reduced corruption and ensured timely payment to workers.
• Tech-based monitoring tools have allowed authorities to keep track of the implementation of the scheme and prevent leakages of funds.
• Geotagging of MGNREGA sites has facilitated transparency and accountability in the selection of work sites.
• Negative Effects:
• The use of technology has ironically led to the exclusion of vulnerable groups such as the elderly, women, and illiterate workers who lack knowledge or access to electronic devices.
• There is also a danger of relying too heavily on technology, which could lead to ignoring the ground reality and the actual needs of the local population.

Despite these challenges, the use of technology in MGNREGA has largely resulted in positive outcomes such as increased participation, transparency, and accountability.