Biometric database of workers under MNREGA

To bring more transparency and accountability in implementation of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Gurantee Act which faced charges of corruption, the Rural Development Ministry joined on Friday hands with Unique Identification Authority of India to prepare a biometric database of workers under the flagship social sector scheme.

A memorandum of understanding was signed between the Ministry and UIDAI in the presence of Rural Development Minister C P Joshi and UIDAI chairperson Nandan Nilekani for this.

While UIDAI will use the data in issuing unique identity number to NREGA workers, it will be used by the ministry to bring transparency in the implementation of NREGA, especially maintenace of records, a ministry official said.

Joshi said the use of biometric database linked with other ICT (Information, Communication and Technology) tools will help check fudging of NREGA records.

"There are still instances of delay in payment of wages to MNREGA workers, duplication in entry of the names of the workers. . . we have taken a step forward (to bring more transparency in record maintenance of NREGA) by signing the MoU with UIDAI," he said.

The MoU was signed during a national workshop on 'ICT for People's Empowerment: One More Step Towards Governance Reforms and Trasparency' organised in New Delhi by Rural Development Ministry on the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

Forest and Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh and Planning Commission Deputy Chairperson Montek Singh Ahluwalia, also attended the programme besides Ministers of State for Rural Development Agatha Sangma, Pradeep Jain Aditya and Sisir Adhikari. Ahluwalia said linking of ICT with UID will bring 'huge' transparency in implementation of MNREGA.

Nilekani said 'Adhar' model would help in identification, maintenance of attendance registration and payment of wages to MGNREGA beneficiaries.