Madhya Pradesh has written a new chapter in the development of rural areas by launching direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme. With this MP has become one of the few selected States in the country, which have this scheme that would transfer all the Government schemes directly to the beneficiaries, specially those under below poverty line.
Officials said that this new economic transformation has been made through State’s financial inclusion model.
The primary aim of the scheme is to bring transparency and terminate pilferage from distribution of funds.
Officials disclosed that development in the remote and cut-off districts of the State had been a very challenging task and to meet this difficulty, it was necessary to ensure communication linkage with remote areas. For accomplishing this goal, a 3-tier communication system was introduced in remote areas. These included communication facility, information technology and arrangement for fiscal institutions and resources. This has resulted in a new and rapid journey of development in all 23,006 Gram Panchayats and 53,000 villages across the State.
Now, almost all the Gram Panchayats in the State are connecting with the rest of the country and world through e-Panchayats. Priority is being given to contact sources for integrated development of rural areas. Work is under progress at a rapid pace on road contacts, banking facility and e-Connectivity. Work of e-Panchayat has been started in all Gram Panchayats in the State, officials added.
For this, the State Government has already allocated Rs 230 crore at the rate of Rs 1 lakh each to every Gram Panchayat for purchasing computer, printer, monitor and lCD TV. Not only this, ultra small banks have set up at every Panchayat buildings with internet connectivity. E-panchayat rooms are being constructed in all new buildings of Panchayats. At e-panchayat room, villagers will get facilities of ultra small bank, post office and citizen facilitation centre.
Easy access of banking facility at villages has been ensured with expansion of road and communication facilities to remote areas. This success has been made possible through Madhya Pradesh’ financial inclusion model. An ultra small bank is being opened in 14679 villages. Earlier banking facilities did not exist from 20 to 90 kilometers.
Due to ultra small banks amounts of pensions for BPl families, destitute senior citizens, destitutes, widows and disabled from the Union and State Governments are being deposited directly in their bank accounts. Similarly, rural people are also receiving various Government assistance and subsidies, student scholarships and health assistances scheme easily through ultra small banks.
They have also given facility to retain savings in their accounts in nearby ultra small banks. Over Rs 600 crore savings and loan transactions have been made during one year through ultra small banks. About 3,000 ultra small banks are being set up in the State. So far, villagers are getting benefits within 5 km radius of their village. Now, they are able to avail assistance amounts due to this facility in their village itself.