Drones will be used to monitor MNREGA works, Ministry of Rural Development has prepared SOP
The Central Government will not provide additional funds to the State Governments for these drones, rather the amount for the drones will be fixed from the allocation for contingency expenditure out of the amount given to the States for MNREGA. These include the use of machines in place of workers and some people getting paid without doing any work.
The Union Ministry of Rural Development has formulated a new policy for the use of drones for monitoring works under the Mahatma Gandhi National Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA). Monitoring of ongoing works with the help of drones, checking of completed works, assessment of works, and investigation of complaints will be done.
However, the central government will not provide additional funds to the state governments for these drones, rather the amount for the drones will be fixed from the allocation for contingency expenditure from the amount given to the states for MNREGA. The Rural Ministry said that complaints of corruption are continuously being received in MNREGA. These include the use of machines in place of workers and some people getting paid without doing any work. In such cases, drones will be helpful in gathering evidence.
It is proposed to use drones for quality monitoring and inspection of works under MGNREGA, said the circular containing the standard operating procedure (SOP). Before the work starts and after it is over, photographs will be taken and monitored by drones. Special inspections will also be carried out using drones to check complaints against work done or construction, the circular said.
Whereas, the Lokpal will use the drone. For this, an ombudsman will be appointed in each district, who will take suo moto cognizance and register complaints and settle them within 30 days. The ministry has directed in its SOP that the drone being used should have a high-quality camera. Partial avoidance of strong winds has also been suggested.
The drone should be able to stay in the air for at least 30 minutes. It states that all videos and photographs taken through drones should be shared with the online system 'NREGASoft'. Data should be collected for comparative study.
Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the 77th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed the use of science and technology in rural development. The PM said that 15,000 women self-help groups will be given loans and training to operate and repair drones.
