NMMS App & MGNREGA Transparency Issues:
Latest Update (2024): MoRD flags misuse of NMMS app, risking MGNREGA’s accountability framework.
1. NMMS App: Key Facts
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Launched by | Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) |
| Purpose | Capture geo-tagged, time-stamped attendance of MGNREGA workers |
| Objective | Eliminate fake attendance & ghost beneficiaries |
| Languages | English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam |
| Tech Features | Real-time photo uploads, GPS verification |
2. Concerns Highlighted by MoRD
Mnemonic: "FRAUD"
- Fake uploads: Irrelevant/repeated photos submitted
- Resource exclusion: Due to poor internet/glitches
- Accountability gaps: Manipulation by officials/contractors
- Unverified entries: Bypassing biometric checks (e.g., JAM)
- Data integrity: Weak audit trails enabling fund leakage
3. Implications for MGNREGA
| Issue | Impact |
|---|---|
| Ghost Beneficiaries | → Wage theft; defeats right-based approach of MGNREGA |
| Digital Exclusion | → Marginalizes elderly/low-literacy workers (violates Art. 14) |
| Financial Irregularities | → Undermines Social Audit effectiveness; CAG reports ₹cr. losses |
| Accountability | → Erodes public trust in world’s largest employment guarantee scheme |
5. Current Affairs & Solutions
- 2024 MoRD Directive: States to investigate fake entries; enforce Aadhaar-Based Payment System (ABPS).
- NREGA SoftTech 2.0 (2023): Upgraded app with AI-based photo validation.
- Social Audit+ Initiative: Strengthening grassroots oversight (link to DPSP Art. 40).
6. Data Snapshot: MGNREGA (2023-24)
| Indicator | Statistic | Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Active Workers | 15.4 crore | Scale highlights NMMS necessity |
| Wage Payments | ₹98,468 crore | Fraud risks = significant fiscal drain |
| NMMS Rejection Rate | 6% (due to invalid uploads) | Confirms MoRD’s concerns |