To ensure timely payment of wages to the beneficiaries under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS and to address the issues arising due to frequent changes in bank account numbers of the beneficiaries and subsequent non-updation, it was decided to implement Aadhar Payment Bridge System (APBS). This has been made mandatory with effect from 1st January 2024. Payment of wages through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode has had positive impact on the livelihood of the beneficiaries as it ensures that the payment reaches directly into the accounts of the intended beneficiaries. Currently, against total of 130.55 million active workers Aadhaar seeding of 99.49 per cent have already been completed. State/UTs are continuously being monitored by the Central Government for achieving 100 per cent Aadhaar Seeding and APBS conversion in NREGASoft. As and when any issue is flagged by the State/UT or any other stakeholders, same is resolved on priority basis.

As per section 6(1) of Mahatma Gandhi NREGA, the Central Government may, by notification, specify the wage rate for unskilled work for Mahatma Gandhi NREGS workers. Accordingly, the Ministry of Rural Development notifies wage rate for unskilled workers under Mahatma Gandhi NREGA every financial year. To compensate the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (Mahatma Gandhi NREGS) workers against inflation, the Ministry of Rural Development revises the wage rates every financial year based on Consumer Price Index for Agricultural Labourer (CPI-AL). The wage rate is made applicable from 1st April of each financial year. There is around 7 per cent increase in the average notified wage rate during the FY 2024-25 compared to FY 2023-24.

Each State/UT can provide wages over and above the wage rate notified by the Central Government. In order to ensure transparency and accountability in the implementation of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (Mahatma Gandhi NREGS), the Ministry has decided that States/UTs shall ensure capturing of attendance at the worksite through National Mobile Monitoring System (NMMS) App with two-time stamped, geo-tagged photographs of the workers in a day for all the works (except Individual Beneficiary Work) through NMMS w.e.f 1st January, 2023.

Further, to avoid any inconvenience to the workers due to NMMS, it has been decided that in case any worksite is not located in network covered area or attendance could not be uploaded due to any other network issue then attendance can be captured in offline mode and can be uploaded once the device comes into network covered area. In case of exceptional circumstances owing to which attendance could not be uploaded, the provision for exemption also exists which has been further decentralized to the level of Block administration.

To make the NMMS App more robust and user friendly, new enhancements have been done such as the provision of Eye blink facility, Head Count facility, Mate id mapping with Muster roll and relaxation in proximity range in linear types of community works (permissible) etc. in the NMMS application. Usage of NMMS app has also helped to ensure timely payment of wages to the workers.

Any issue brought to the notice of Ministry concerning NMMS are attended on top priority basis and efforts are to made to resolve the same at the earliest. Further, continuous awareness campaigns and training programs are being organized across States/UTs to familiarize workers/officials with the NMMS app.

News source: PIB