PremiumNEW DELHI : The digitization of the payments system, and the coming together of the Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile (JAM) trinity, in the last six years have not only pushed the government’s financial inclusion agenda, but also come in handy during the coronavirus pandemic.
New-age digital payment modes, such as Unified Payments Interface (UPI), Aadhaar-Enabled Payment System (AePS) and Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS), are playing a crucial role in maintaining social distancing, while ensuring seamless cash transfer to beneficiaries under the recently announced Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY).
Official data shows that as on 13 April, more than 320 million beneficiaries had been given cash support through direct benefit transfers (DBT) amounting to ₹29,352 crore, which is part of the ₹1.7 trillion PMGKY package, announced by the finance ministry on 26 March to help the poor battle the impact of covid-19.
Out of ₹29,352 crore, ₹9,930 crore has been transferred to Jan Dhan account holders of 198.6 million poor women—the first instalment of ₹500 each. As part of the government’s financial inclusion plan, Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana was launched in 2014 to provide bank accounts to the unbanked. As on 1 April, 380 million accounts had been opened under the scheme.
“Fintech and digital technology have been employed for swift and efficient transfer to the beneficiary. Direct benefit transfer, i.e., transfer that ensures that the amount is directly credited into the account of the beneficiary, eliminates leakage and improved efficiency has been employed. This has also ensured credit to the beneficiary’s account without the need for the beneficiary to physically go to the branch," the finance ministry said.
The government has pushed digital payments as a tool for economic development, as it is fast, cost-effective and increases transparency and accountability, thereby reducing corruption.
“These are the times when people are not supposed to touch anything and maintain social distancing. In such uncertain times, Jan Dhan, Aadhaar and mobile-based transactions have turned out to be a blessing," said Madan Sabnavis, chief economist, CARE Ratings.
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