What is the objective of MGNREGA and how is technology impacting it

This question aims to understand the objective of MGNREGA and how the use of technology is nullifying its objectives, as commented by Jairam Ramesh, a Congress leader in India.
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) was established in 2005 with the objective of providing at least 100 days of wage employment to rural households every year. Here are the points about MGNREGA and the impact of technology:
  • Technology has allowed for better communication between government officials and villagers, which has improved the implementation of MGNREGA programs.
  • However, despite the use of technology, corruption and mismanagement remains a major problem in the implementation of MGNREGA.
  • Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has argued that scams related to fake job cards and wages have nullified the benefits of MGNREGA.
  • Technology has also led to the centralization of the decision-making process in MGNREGA, which has undermined the program's objective of empowering communities.
  • Furthermore, the use of technology has resulted in a lack of accountability, with officials using technology to manipulate data to show an increase in work while not focusing on the quality of work created.
Overall, while technology has brought some improvements, it has also contributed to the failure of MGNREGA in meeting its objectives, mostly due to the lack of transparency and accountability. Hence, there is a need to address the challenges faced with the implementation of technology to ensure that MGNREGA reaches its intended beneficiaries.
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