DRONES ARE TO BE USED FOR MONITORING MNREGA WORKS
To tackle the continuous complaints of corruption in Mahatma Gandhi National Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA), the Ministry of Rural Development has given green signal to a new drone technology which will be helpful in gathering evidences in cases like using machines instead of labour and some people getting salary without doing any work. Under the guidelines of the Ministry of Rural Development, MNREGA works in Bihar will be monitored through drones.
DRONES ARE TO BE USED FOR MONITORING MNREGA WORKS
6-OCT-ENG 1
RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL
BUXAR---------------------------To tackle the continuous complaints of corruption in Mahatma Gandhi National Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA), the Ministry of Rural Development has given green signal to a new drone technology which will be helpful in gathering evidences in cases like using machines instead of labour and some people getting salary without doing any work. Under the guidelines of the Ministry of Rural Development, MNREGA works in Bihar will be monitored through drones.
The Central Government has issued guidelines according to which drone technology will be used in MNREGA to inspect the work and quality of assets. The Rural Development Department, Bihar has also been asked to implement it. according to these guidelines, two types of drones can be used for surveillance in MMREGA, one will be a Nano drone and will be equal to or less than 250 grams apart from this, micro drones which will be more than 250 grams and less than or equal to two kilograms.
Drones can be used to capture geo-referenced images while initiating ongoing work and during implementation of these works. Inspection of works can also be done. These drones can also be used to investigate complaints regarding MNREGA funds but an agency that uses drone technology will be hired for this. It will be done from the funds of administrative contingency under the MNREGA using drone technology. Anyone can see the activities on the ground without interference. Deputy Development Commissioner (DDC), Buxar Dr. Mahendra Pal said that it is a matter of great pride for Buxar district. The scheme here has set an example for the entire country. Certainly, drone technology can be used in MNREGA scheme with transparency.
Under the instructions of the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, New Delhi, letter No 380988 dated July 27, 2023, Sanjay Kumar Singh, Chief Operating Officer giving instructions to use drone technology for monitoring of MNREGA schemes. He issued letter to all the District Magistrates cum Programme Coordinators and Deputy Development Commissioners cum Additional District Coordinators on September 15, 2023 SOP regarding use of drones has also been provided in the issued guidelines.
The Ministry of Rural Development has issued instructions to all the States to use drones to monitor the works under the Mahatma Gandhi National Employment Guarantee Act, saying that there are frequent complaints of corruption in MNREGA including use of machines in place of labours. In such a case, drones will be helpful in collecting data. The proposal to use drones for inspection is stated in the standard operating procedure under the MNREGA. It is proposed to use drones to monitor and inspect the quality of work and assets. The same work will be monitored from beginning to the end and the drones will be used by the Lokpal who will be deployed in every district for the purpose. The Lokpal will take suo-motto cognizance and register the complaints and dispose of them within 30 days. The Ministry has also directed in its SOP that the drones being used should have a high quality camera. Partial protection from strong winds is also suggested. The drone should be able to stay in the air for at least 30 minutes. It is also proposed to create a centralized dashboard to collect videos and images collected from drones for data analysis and reporting.
What's Your Reaction?
