Shillong, August 30 : The Central Government has extended the use of the Aadhaar-based payment system (APBS) for wage payments under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA) till December 31, 2023.
The ABPS is a more efficient and secure way of making wage payments, as it eliminates the need for beneficiaries to provide their bank account details. It also helps to avoid rejections of wage payments due to outdated or incorrect account information.
The government has requested that beneficiaries provide their Aadhaar numbers, but they will not be refused work if they do not have one. The Aadhaar number is only used to verify the identity of the beneficiary and does not affect their eligibility for work under the MGNREGA.
In July 2023, about 88.51% of the wage payments under the MGNREGA were made through the ABPS. This shows that the system is becoming increasingly popular with beneficiaries and officials.
The government is committed to providing timely and accurate wage payments to all MGNREGA beneficiaries. The Aadhaar-based payment system is a step in the right direction and will help to ensure that all beneficiaries receive their dues.
