Given the huge sums being spent on rural development schemes like Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY), Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SBA) and Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), the government is doing well to keep a close watch on them and modifying them so that they are effective. The rural development ministry?s latest initiative??photo kheench, mantralaya bhej??to geotag photographs of the houses built under the IAY scheme is yet another way to use technology to ensure proper implementation. The larger idea is to create the infrastructure to digitally monitor all durable assets built under the government?s social sector schemes?be it the PMGSY roads or latrines constructed under SBA or MGNREGA. Photographing pictures of the houses built under IAY and posting them on the ministry?s website will provide government with evidence of the scheme coming along and allow it to crack the whip if progress is tardy. To be sure, photographs alone won?t ensure the houses come up as planned but they are a good tool with which to track the schemes.
Since the inception of IAY in 2005, about 3.25 crore houses have been constructed at a cost of R1.07 lakh crore till March 2014. Allocations are now planned to be upped for each unit, from R70,000 to R1.25 lakh so as to enable the construction of a toilet also; the plan envisages an additional 3 crore houses by 2022. Given how construction costs have risen, the additional funds will surely be needed. Geotagging will also help the government track how fast roads are being built, important; given that target for the 12th plan is 50,000km. The government has already done well by pushing for Aadhaar-based cash transfers for schemes to curb leakages; applying new-age tools will facilitate implementation. To be sure, digital connectivity needs to be up to the mark.