Launch of SARATHI App by Ministry of Rural Development for Vulnerable Households

New Delhi: In a significant move towards leveraging technology for effective implementation of rural development programs, Secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development, Shri Shailesh Kumar Singh, launched the “SARATHI” app at Krishi Bhawan. The app, developed in partnership with The/Nudge Institute, is positioned as the national tech solution for the strategy targeting the most vulnerable households under DAY-NRLM (Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission).

Key Points:

1. National Tech Solution: The SARATHI app is designed as a comprehensive tech solution to enhance the strategy for working with the most vulnerable households. It aligns with the Ministry of Rural Development’s focus on saturation and inclusion in its programs.
2. Partnership with The/Nudge Institute: The app has been developed in collaboration with The/Nudge Institute, showcasing a collaborative approach between the government and external expertise to create impactful solutions.
3. Immediate Deployment: SARATHI will be immediately deployed in six states where DAY-NRLM’s Innovation funding is driving special projects for 24,000 of the most vulnerable households.
4. Role of Technology in Graduation Program: The Joint Secretary, Rural Livelihoods, emphasized the multifaceted role of technology in ensuring the timely, effective, and efficient implementation of the Graduation program targeting the most vulnerable.
5. Components of SARATHI App:
   • Consumption Grant Monitoring
   • Livelihood Grant Monitoring
   • Livelihood Coaching
   • Real-time Monitoring and Tracking
6. Benefits of SARATHI Tech Solution:
   • Reducing cognitive load for field workers
   • Lowering administrative burden on SRLM (State Rural Livelihoods Mission) staff
   • Ensuring transparency at all levels
   • Real-time monitoring to prevent leakage of benefits
   • Facilitating consistent tracking of livelihood planning and progress
7. Community Testimonies: Voices from the community and states shared positive experiences with the SARATHI app, highlighting increased effectiveness in work, accuracy in targeting vulnerable households, and the quality of analytics provided through the dashboard.
8. Secretary’s Confidence: The Secretary expressed confidence in the SARATHI tech solution, particularly appreciating its integration into the LokOS system.

The launch of the SARATHI app marks a significant step in the digitization of rural development programs, showcasing the government’s commitment to harnessing technology for the benefit of the most vulnerable households. The app is poised to streamline processes, enhance transparency, and contribute to the success of DAY-NRLM’s initiatives.