Congress says Modi government is ‘arming’ Aadhaar and technology to deny MGNREGA workers benefits

The rural development ministry has said that the progress of the Aadhaar-based payment system has been reviewed and the mixed route of wage payment has been extended until December 31 or until further notice.

The extension has been given for the fifth time, Congress Secretary General Jairam Ramesh said in a statement.

Despite four extensions, 41.1% of the total 26 crore job card holders are still not eligible for this mode of payment, Ramesh said.

“The Prime Minister’s contempt for MNREGA is well documented. Still, the Modi government was forced to turn to MGNREGS during the COVID-19 pandemic and even now, due to the ongoing rural distress, record numbers of workers have demanded work under MGNREGA this year,” he said.

The Modi government, especially in the case of MGNREGA and soon-to-be pensions and other social benefits, has used it as a “weapon to exclude citizens from their guaranteed rights,” he said. “By letting them fall victim to her ‘experiments’. with technology, the Modi government has damaged the incomes of the most vulnerable and the poorest of the poor.”

Earlier, the Modi government had ruled out further extensions as the fourth extension expires on August 31, saying only 18.3% of active workers are no longer eligible, the congress leader said.

According to the government’s own data, more than 2.6 crores of active workers are said to have failed to receive their legally required wages as of Sept. 1, Ramesh said, adding that this number does not include the crores of workers whose job cards have been removed due to various errors. of negligence and commission.

Congress has demanded that the Modi government stop “weaponizing” Aadhaar and technology to deny MGNREGA workers their social benefits and release their payments, and instead implement open muster rolls and social audits to increase transparency to improve.

(with input from PTI)

Updated: August 30, 2023, 7:50 PM IST