TL;DR: Over 5 crore MGNREGA job cards were deleted in 2022-23, largely due to Aadhaar-related complications. The Union government mandates Aadhaar-Based Payment System (ABPS) compliance, but many workers face challenges linking their Aadhaar, leading to wrongful deletions. Activists urge an immediate halt to these deletions to protect workers' livelihoods.
Hey folks! 🌟 Let's dive into a pressing issue affecting our rural comrades. The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), our lifeline for rural employment, has seen a whopping deletion of over 5 crore job cards in the 2022-23 financial year! 😲
What's Going On? 🤔
The Union government has made the Aadhaar-Based Payment System (ABPS) mandatory for MGNREGA wage payments. This means workers need to link their Aadhaar to their job cards and bank accounts. Sounds simple, right? But for many, especially in remote areas, this process is a Herculean task. Due to mismatches or technical glitches, countless genuine workers are being marked as "not willing to work" or even "deceased" in official records! 😡
Who's to Blame? 🧐
While the Union government points fingers at state authorities for these deletions, activists argue that the central mandate for ABPS without adequate support is the real culprit. The push for digital compliance, without considering ground realities, has led to this crisis. It's like setting a trap and then blaming the trapped! 😤
The Human Cost 💔
Imagine being a daily wage worker, depending on MGNREGA for your family's next meal, only to find out you're no longer eligible due to a technicality. This isn't just a bureaucratic hiccup; it's a direct assault on the livelihoods of millions. The very system meant to uplift the rural poor is now pushing them deeper into poverty. 😢
What Needs to Be Done? 🛠️
Activists are calling for an immediate moratorium on these deletions. They demand thorough verification processes, proper guidelines, and, most importantly, a human-centric approach. It's high time the government steps up to protect its most vulnerable citizens. ✊
Join the Conversation! 🗣️
What do you think about this issue? Have you or someone you know been affected by these deletions? Share your thoughts and stories in the comments below. Let's amplify the voices of our rural brothers and sisters! 🗨️👇
