In Dhadgaon, the last mile is actually the signal

In the remote villages of Dhadgaon block in Nandurbar district, Maharashtra, availing government schemes is increasingly becoming difficult due to e-KYC verification. The Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Behen Yojana, which aims to provide financial assistance of INR 1,500 per month to eligible women aged 21 to 65 years, is one such scheme.

Receiving a one-time password (OTP) on a mobile phone, which is necessary for verification of e-KYC, is an arduous task for the community. To get mobile network, one has to walk for two to three hours through rugged terrain filled with narrow paths and steep hills. Some even climb on trees or trek up small mountains. Many women do this while carrying their children or balancing bags of food and water, hoping that the OTP message will come through.

Often, a small hill or a tree in the village becomes a network spot. Women gather there holding their phones up high, waiting under the hot sun for the message. Sometimes the OTP doesn’t arrive at all, and they have to return the next day to try again. For many families in Dhadgaon, this means losing a day of work and income. While Anganwadi workers are sometimes able to help women fill offline forms, OTP verification is still mandatory not only for the women, but also for their fathers or husbands.

Some women also try to travel to nearby towns and villages that have better connectivity. But reaching there means paying for transport, which can cost up to INR 300 for a round trip—a big amount for families already struggling to meet daily needs.

Kalpesh Pawar is a grassroots mobiliser at Aadiwasi Janjagruti. Nitesh Bhardwaj leads Aadiwasi Janjagruti.

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Know more: Learn how poor internet affects children’s education in Palghar, Maharashtra.