Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched an updated version of the National Mobile Monitoring System (NMMS) app to prevent fake attendance under the ‘VB-G Ram Ji’ scheme. Security features have been improved in the new advanced version of the app. Apart from this, arrangements have been made to register attendance through offline mode even in areas without network connectivity. Chauhan said the government’s priority is to provide employment to rural workers, protect their wages and ensure that public funds are used transparently and for the intended purposes. He said accountability should be strengthened through tech, but real workers should not be deprived of their rights because of network or technical issues.

Who made this app?

Developed in technical collaboration with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras and other agencies, the advanced application includes device-level security checks, AI-based face verification, live detection and anti-copy and tampering measures. Chauhan said that in view of complaints of fake attendance being recorded and wages being claimed in the name of other persons, it became necessary to strengthen the verification system.

Alternative arrangements are available for these people

If network is not available, attendance can be recorded offline at workplaces. These entries can be uploaded once the network is restored after the muster roll is closed. Alternative arrangements are also available for older workers, persons with disabilities and those facing technical issues with mobile devices. Chauhan said that those who need employment will be given work, but corruption and malfeasance will not be tolerated. Chauhan also informed that 10.997 crore farmer IDs have been created across the country. With this, the country is now only 30,000 IDs away from achieving the target of creating 11 crore farmer IDs by December 2027.