Facing flak over NREGS rule changes, govt holds talks on its initiatives

Following changes introduced recently in the NREGS attendance and payment system, NREGS workers, under the banner of ‘NREGA Sangharsh Morcha’, are demanding rollback of the two decisions: making the NMMS app mandatory from January 1, and the requirement of wages to be made through Aadhaar-Based Payment System (ABPS).

The order to give effect to the ABPS was issued on January 30, 2023. “Under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS, several Good Governance Initiatives have been taken towards better implementation of the scheme on the ground,” states a background note prepared by the ministry for the dialogue.

While the ministry described the topics under discussion as “Good Governance Initiatives” under NREGA, the main points discussed in the meeting were the NMMS app and ABPS, sources said.

Among civil society organisations invited for the meeting are Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS), Swadesh Foundation, DHAN Foundation, Reliance Foundation, Swayam Shikshan Prayog, and Transforming Rural India Foundation, a source said.

The source said among prominent members of civil society organisations who attended the meeting are MKSS founder-member Nikhil Dey, LibTech co-founder Rajendran Narayanan, and Rakshita Swamy of Social Accountability Forum for Action and Research (Safar).

During the Samvaad, representatives of the organisations are learnt to have urged the government against making the NMMS app and ABPS mandatory. The ministry assured them that it will improve the NMMS, a source privy to the development said.

There was no response from the ministry despite calls and messages to officers seeking the ministry’s response on developments in the meeting.

It is learnt that noted economist Jean Drèze had sent a written submission for the meeting.

Drèze had recently alleged that the Centre had unleashed a “Trishul” attack on the rural job guarantee scheme.

Besides the Rural Development Secretary, among others who took part in the dialogue from the government’s side are Joint Secretary (MGNREGA), Rural Development Ministry, Amit Kataria and representatives from the National Payments Corporation of India, UIDAI, NIC and banks, a source said. Commissioners (MGNREGS) of Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana and Tamil Nadu also attended, it is learnt.