*Discuss how technology-enabled governance under the VB–G RAM G Act addresses the chronic implementation failures of MGNREGA.*

Q. Discuss how technology-enabled governance under the VB–G RAM G Act addresses the chronic implementation failures of MGNREGA. (15 marks, 250 words)

MGNREGA (2005) delivered a rights-based wage guarantee but was dogged by ghost muster rolls, wage delays, leakages and weak accountability. The VB–G RAM G Act, 2025, which replaces it from 01 July 2026, embeds a digital governance stack to fix these structural gaps [1].

Chronic failures under MGNREGA - Ghost workers and fake muster rolls inflating attendance and diverting funds. - Wage delays eroding the guarantee's credibility for the rural poor. - Fund leakage in works and materials, weak asset durability. - Ritualistic social audits, poor bottom-up oversight.

Technology-enabled remedies - Biometric authentication ties attendance to real workers, curbing ghost muster rolls [2]. - Geo-referencing/geo-tagging of works enables real-time verification of asset creation, tackling fictitious projects and durability concerns [2]. - Digital MIS and monitoring improve transparency across the fund pipeline [2]. - DBT to bank/post-office accounts pays wages weekly or within 15 days of muster-roll closure, with mandatory delay compensation [3]. - Institutionalised social audit by Gram Sabhas at least once every six months under Section 20, digitally documented, deepens accountability [3]. - A raised 9% administrative ceiling funds the technical and staffing capacity these tools demand [1].

By converging biometric verification, geo-tagging, DBT and statutory audit, the Act shifts rural employment from leakage-prone welfare toward outcome-driven, auditable governance. If digital literacy and last-mile connectivity gaps are bridged, this tech-first architecture — aligned to Viksit Bharat @2047 — can restore both efficiency and trust in India's largest rural safety net.

(~250 words)

Sources: 1. President gives assent to VB–G RAM G Bill, 2025 (PIB) — replacement of MGNREGA, 125 days, 9% admin ceiling, Viksit Bharat @2047 alignment 2. Backgrounder: VB–G RAM G (Gramin), 2025 (PIB) — biometric authentication, geo-referencing, digital monitoring 3. VB–G RAM G Act, 2025 – inclusive support and accountability (PIB) — DBT, 15-day wage payment with delay compensation, six-monthly Section 20 social audit