The federal government is set to keep vigilance at MNREGA worksites by using drones, Indian media reported. For this, the Rural Development Ministry will deploy and monitor the progress and quality of assets produced.
As per published reports, drones are expected to be used in four types of monitoring -- surveying the ongoing works, inspecting the completed works, impact assessment, and special inspection in case of complaints.
The drones will be used in all schemes under MGNREGA – construction of roads, houses, etc.
A pilot project in the Indian state of Gujarat has already been successfully carried out, and based on the report, the ministry has prepared Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs), etc.
The decision to use the drone was also taken after multiple incidents in several states came to light when the actual number of workers under the scheme was much lower than the reported wage bill. An official said that effective monitoring would help to curtail such irregularities.
The Agriculture Ministry is already using drones for land surveys and spraying insecticides, apart from digitizing land records.