On the 126th birth anniversary of Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar and at the concluding ceremony of ‘Digi Dhan Mela’ CM Raghubar Das appealed to the masses to adopt and promote cashless modes of payment to restrain the inflow of black money in country’s economy. Citing the example of Sahebganj district, where approximately 12.5 lakh people are using digital modes of payment, CM said that only with digital awareness, the money saved can be utilised for the welfare of the downtrodden.
Notably, Jharkhand has topped the list among all other States in giving training to the merchants to use digital platforms. Alone in Sahebganj district 44,000 traders have been trained in using mobile wallets for cashless transaction. Terming the launch of ‘BHIM’ mobile application as a milestone in promoting cashless transaction, CM further said, “Taking the PM Narendra Modi’s vision ahead, Jharkhand IT Department is committed and is imparting the training to people residing in rural pockets with utmost efficiency.”
The CM mentioned that due to the increase of cashless transaction, around 30 per cent tax evasion has been controlled nationwide. The CM on the occasion appreciated Bokaro DC and Jamshedpur DC initiatives in training people in digital medium and promised to lay more emphasis on digital modes as well. The State Government in the coming days will distribute smart phones to ‘Sakhi Mandal’ with the aim to connect more people through digital medium residing in local areas.
“Recently after distributing one lakh smartphones to the ‘Sakhi Mandal’, the State Government will soon cover 95,000 ‘Sakhi Mandal’ under the programme so that Jharkhand achieves cashless State title soon. Women too must try and inculcate the habit of cashless transaction. Besides the support of banks and Department of IT, with the co-ordination of each individual the target can be achieved easily,” added the CM.
Addressing the gathering, Urban Development Minister CP Singh said that demonetisation was a right decision and had positive impact on the economy of the nation. Minister Social Welfare, louis Marandi expressed her happiness over Jharkhand leading in digital transaction in the nation.
IT Secretary Sunil Kumar Barnwal said that Digidhan Mela under the ‘Jharkhand Jagriti Yojana’ 40 people from every panchayat were supposed to be trained in using digital medium but the department has trained 40 lakh people. Around 1.19 lakh businessmen have been trained under the programme while more than 4 lakh people have been trained in Digidhan.
The CM on the occasion felicitated those people who have done remarkable job in promoting cashless transaction with tablets and certificate of appreciation. At the State level as well camps were organised outside the branches of banks and training was given to approximately 25 customers visiting the banks including the bankers. Ranchi DC, Manoj Kumar said that with the vision to make Nagri first cashless block, efforts are on and around 80 per cent people have been covered under the training programme at Nagri block.