Carswell-De Neve. Transparency exclusion and mediation.pdf (200.73 kB)
Transparency, exclusion and mediation: how digital and biometric technologies are transforming social protection in Tamil Nadu, India
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 22:59 authored by Grace CarswellGrace Carswell, Geert De NeveGeert De NeveWhat are the effects of biometric and digital technologies on social protection for the poor in India? Drawing on ethnographic research from rural Tamil Nadu, this paper presents evidence of how new technologies are experienced by beneficiaries of the Public Distribution System (PDS), and analyses the impacts of technology innovations on transparency, exclusion and mediation. The authors focus on the implementation of ‘smartcards,’ new digitised and Aadhaar-enabled ration cards, introduced in ration shops across Tamil Nadu in 2017. They first document how digitised smartcards and mobile text messages transform transparency for beneficiaries by introducing new opacities and information gaps. They then demonstrate how a lack of transparency (re)produces forms of exclusion that remain a challenge under the automated PDS. Finally, the paper highlights how novel forms of kin and non-kin mediation play a mitigating role in accessing PDS, and constitute a vital part of the infrastructure underpinning social welfare delivery.
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- Published
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- Accepted version
Journal
Oxford Development StudiesISSN
1360-0818Publisher
Taylor & FrancisExternal DOI
Department affiliated with
- Anthropology Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2021-02-05First Open Access (FOA) Date
2022-10-01First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2021-02-04Usage metrics
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