Tech-Fixes and Accountability in India
The use of technology in government accountability measures has been increasingly prevalent in India. However, these so-called tech-fixes have raised questions about their effectiveness and the broader implications for work culture.
Digital Tools and Accountability
- Cleaning staff and other government employees are often monitored through digital tools such as biometric attendance systems to ensure punctuality.
- In some cases, such as in Khunti Block, Jharkhand, employees had to work beyond office hours due to connectivity issues to complete digital paperwork.
- A study in Rajasthan found that the introduction of biometric attendance actually resulted in lower attendance among government nurses over time.
Challenges with MGNREGA and NMMS
- The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) faces challenges with inflated attendance records to siphon off wages.
- The National Mobile Monitoring System (NMMS) app was introduced in 2022 to combat this issue by requiring photographs of workers at worksites.
- Despite this, malpractices persisted, with random photographs being uploaded to bypass the system.
Facial Recognition Technology and Other Initiatives
- The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD) mandated Facial Recognition Technology (FRT) for Take Home Rations (THR) to ensure rightful distribution.
- However, loopholes persisted, similar to those observed with Aadhaar-Based Biometric Authentication (ABBA) in the Public Distribution System (PDS).
- Some people, especially the elderly and disabled, faced exclusions due to the need for personal authentication.
Impact on Workers
- Applications requiring geo-tagging or photographic evidence, like those used by Auxiliary Nurses and Midwives (ANMs), sometimes label sincere workers as fraudulent due to technical errors.
- Surveillance apps demotivate workers, focusing more on compliance with tech systems than effective service delivery.
Broader Implications and Criticism
- Economists Jean Drèze and Amartya Sen argue for a shift from mere accountability to fostering responsibility among workers, which tech-fixes cannot achieve.
- The over-reliance on technology diverts attention from enhancing work culture and changing social norms.
- Despite official acknowledgment of the failures of these tech initiatives, government policies continue to enforce them without addressing new problems like exclusion, inefficiency, and corruption.
Conclusion
The infrastructure required for these tech-fixes is costly and potentially driven by vested interests. There is a need for a balanced approach that addresses both technological and cultural aspects of accountability in welfare programs.
