Union Rural Development Ministry, ISRO ink MoU for geo-tagging MGNREGA assets

The Union Rural Development Ministry and ISRO, Department of Space have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for geo-tagging the assets created under MGNREGA in each gram panchayat.
Annually around 30 lakh assets are created under the rural job schemes across the country. The MoU was signed after the Ministry had decided that the geo-tagging of such assets will be done on a mission mode to monitor rural development.
Key Facts

• The asset created under MGNREGA and other schemes will be completely geo-tagged with photograph through Bhuvan Mobile Platform by Gram Rozgar Sahayak or Junior engineer.
• The geo-tagging of assets will help to check and curb leakages and for effective mapping of terrain for future developmental works.
• It will also help in using of modern space technology for rural development in planning and execution of projects in a transparent manner.

Background
Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had underlined the importance of online recording and monitoring of assets created under various schemes to check leakages and for effective mapping of terrain for future developmental works.
It also had become necessary for online recording and monitoring of assets to ensure quality as huge amount of funds under the recommendations of 14th Finance Commission are now flowing through to Gram Panchayats which will in turn lead to poverty reduction in rural areas.

Month: Current Affairs - June, 2016