This paper examines the use of existing cash transfer programs and the payment infrastructure used for the timely delivery of PMGKY benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic in India. Additionally, the paper draws insights from PMGKY beneficiaries’ cash withdrawal/access preferences and experiences during the pandemic.

Delayed wage payments and rejected transactions continue to plague the system and compromise the goals of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. The second in a two-part series, this blog examines the causes of such delays and ways to alleviate process inefficiencies in the future.

The Government of India (GoI) had introduced the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in 2005 to provide livelihood security to the rural poor. This blog examines the MGNREGA program and its accomplishments. It also provides an overview of the delay in wage payments to workers.

Nations worldwide have responded to COVID-19 through 1,100 social protection programs to help 1.8 billion-plus people. Yet recipients are largely in the dark about the programs and do not know how to access funds. This blog examines the importance of better communication around social protection programs, particularly for the vulnerable population.

The blog highlights the road ahead for the Indian government’s new program—One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC). The objective of the program is to build upon the digitization of the Public Distribution System (PDS) with a focus on beneficiary-centric reforms.

The blog examines the role of food fortification as a measure against the prevalence of malnutrition in India. Further, it highlights the potential of providing fortified food grains through the Public Distribution System to provide micro nutrients to over 800 million beneficiaries.