‘No card, no work’: MGNREGS deletions hit rural workers hard

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Last Updated09/12/2024

Between April and September this year, as per a study released by Lib Tech, a consortium of academics and activists, 84.8 lakh workers registered under MGNREGS found their names deleted from the programme.

A study by Lib Tech, a consortium of academics and activists, has revealed that 84.8 lakh workers under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) had their names deleted between April and September 2024, while 45.4 lakh new workers were added, resulting in a net deletion of 39.3 lakh workers.
This alarming trend has sparked widespread protests, highlighting systemic challenges in the implementation of the scheme.

Under the banner of NREGA Sangharsh Morcha, hundreds of workers gathered at Jantar Mantar, Delhi, for a two-day protest. Their demands include:
- Addressing delayed wages.
- Reinstating deleted job cards.
- Ensuring adequate fund allocation for MGNREGA.
- Revoking the app-based attendance system causing non-payment issues.
Workers criticized the government for policies perceived as “anti-worker” and “anti-poor,” citing job card deletions as a primary concern.

The Aadhaar-Based Payment System (ABPS), implemented nationwide in January 2023, has been linked to the high rate of deletions. To qualify for ABPS, workers must:
- Link Aadhaar to their job card.
- Ensure the name on Aadhaar matches the job card.
- Seed their bank account with Aadhaar and map it to the National Payments Corporation of India.
While the government has denied a correlation between ABPS and job card deletions, activists and workers argue otherwise, emphasizing the challenges faced due to 100% Aadhaar seeding pressure.

Workers shared their struggles, emphasizing how job cards serve as their identity and a vital lifeline for employment. Many, like Mayanand from Bihar, have faced livelihood crises after their job cards were deleted. Ms. Devi, another worker, noted the arduous process of reapplying for a card, which is often delayed due to Aadhaar-linked complications.
The mandatory app-based attendance system has added to their woes. Poor Internet connectivity frequently prevents workers from marking their attendance, resulting in non-payment for work done.

Job Card Deletions: Workers remain unaware of the reasons for deletions and the process to reapply, which involves delinking Aadhaar from previous job cards.
Connectivity Issues: App-based attendance relies on stable Internet, which is often unavailable in rural areas.
Dependence on MGNREGS: Many families rely solely on MGNREGS for sustenance, with limited alternative job opportunities.