Aadhaaar-based payment enabled for 96% of total active workers under MGNREGS
By TIOL News Service
NEW DELHI, JAN 31, 2025: THE government's vision of a 'Viksit Bharat 2047' embodies the concept of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas', as it lays emphasis on improving the quality of life, ensuring equitable and inclusive development in rural areas. It reflects a comprehensive 'Welfare for All' approach being achieved through a 'Whole of Government' strategy, highlights the Economic Survey 2024-25. The document was tabled in Parliament today by Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman.
Various measures have been taken in this regard by focusing on infrastructure, encompassing rural housing, drinking water, health and sanitation, clean fuel, social protection, and rural connectivity, along with enhancing rural livelihoods. The Survey highlights that taking digitization and technology to the rural economy has also been a key aspect of the rural development agenda, be it in agricultural activities or governance.
Rural Infrastructure
The summary of progress made under various schemes and initiatives for rural infrastructure development is as follows:
Giving special thrust to infrastructure development in Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) areas, a separate vertical has been launched under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) by relaxing the population norms upto 100 to provide the connectivity to unconnected PVTG habitations. A total of 8,000 KM of Road length is targeted to be constructed under this vertical.
Rural Housing: A Milestone for identity and economic growth
Providing housing for economically deprived rural households has long been integral to India's development strategy states Economic Survey. Aligning with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11.1 on 'Safe and affordable housing' and India's vision of 'Housing for All,' construction of 2.69 crore houses has been completed under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) since 2016. Construction of a house under PMAY-G generates direct employment of approximately 314 person-days, which includes 81 skilled, 71 semi-skilled, and 164 unskilled person-days. The total direct employment generated for houses completed in the first two years of the scheme was 4.82 crore person days for skilled labour and 7.60 crore person days for unskilled labour (NIPFP 2018).
Localizing SDGs: Powering rural progress
The Economic Survey notes that the localization of SDGs ensures that rural development aligns with global goals, addressing basic amenities such as housing, sanitation, water supply, and electrification. India's call for 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' and the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047 lays the roadmap for achieving the SDGs. A 'whole-of-the-government' strategy with an emphasis on cooperative and competitive federalism among states is being followed.
Enhancing Rural Incomes
Multiple efficiency reforms have been introduced to fully utilise the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme , states the Survey. To ensure probity and elimination of leakages, geotagging before, during, and after the work is being done, 99.98% payments are through National Electronic Fund Management System, wages are transferred under DBT. Aadhaar-based payment has been enabled for 96.3% of total active workers, while 99.23% of total successful transactions for wage beneficiaries has been processed through APBS (Aadhaar Payment Bridge System) in December 2024. The Survey highlights that social audit units have been set up in 28 states/UTs.
DAY-NRLM (Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihood Mission) , is a flagship poverty alleviation programme, enabling poor households to access gainful self employment and skilled wage employment opportunities, resulting in sustainable and diversified livelihood options for the poor, states the Survey document.
Other Measures towards Rural Welfare
To address health, nutrition, hygiene and sanitation issues, DAY-NRLM implements Food, Nutrition, Health and WASH (FNHW) interventions that are being implemented in 5369 blocks across 682 districts.
State Rural Livelihood Missions (SRLM) have developed state-specific strategies to address Social Inclusion and Gender issues. Currenly, 32 SRLMs are implementing gender interventions.
The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), established under the Legal Services Authorities (LSA) Act of 1987, provides free legal services to disadvantaged sections of society in remote and rural areas to ensure equal access to justice. The Gram Nyayalayas Act, 2008 aims to provide access to justice at the grassroots level in rural areas. As of October 2024, 313 Gram Nyayalayas have disposed of over 2.99 lakh cases from December 2020 to October 2024.
The Survey concludes that the government's focus on rural infrastructure, housing, and livelihoods reflects a comprehensive 'Welfare for All' approach. By improving rural connectivity, sanitation, housing, access to drinking water, and social inclusion, alongside supporting microfinance, SHGs, and localization of SDGs, these initiatives ensure inclusive development. Together, they uplift rural communities, bridging gaps in equity and quality of life.
