With the launch of 'Cashless Jharkhand' campaign in the State, the Government has begun a mammoth exercise not only making people aware of the intricacies of different modes of electronic transactions but has also started to provide internet connectivity in the far flung areas.
To start with, the Government is planning to train 1.8 lakh families across the State for cashless transactions and install Wi-fi systems on 792 mobile towers in remote areas. The telecom service providers have also been requested to address issues of connectivity.
The department of Information and Technology has taken the task of training 40 people from different families of each panchayat of the State. "We have to train 40 families from each panchayat by training one person from each family. Also, 10 traders from each panchayat will be trained. So, in total we have to train 1.80 lakh families and 45,000 businessmen from 4, 500 panchayats of the State," said Director, IT Directorate UP Sah.
"The Village level Entrepreneurs (VlE) will assist people in learning the modes of transactions in the villages for both android and non-android based devices. Moreover, the target is just for December 31. We will again revise it after the first phase," Sah added.
The Government is working with a 4-pronged strategy to effectively implement the programme and make it a success.
First is to educate citizens for downloading digital payment App on their devices and do electronic transactions. The second area of focus is educating business, especially small business, to receive electronic payments. Thirdly, the government is promoting availability of e-Pos machines, smart phones & similar devices and finally it is focusing on improving mobile and Internet connectivity.
All departments of the state government have been involved to educate and motivate the common masses. The Department of Higher and Technical Education is training five lakh university and college students. Women & Child Development Department is training 50,000 Anganwadi Sevikas and Sahayikas and around 4,000 Pragya Kendra (Common Service Centres) and 4,402 Panchayat Sachivalaya are being used for reaching out to the rural population.
Similarly, 55,000 policemen have been given training in police lines to use Banking Apps. Also, 40,000 health workers, nurses are being trained.
And, over 20,000 bank accounts have been opened for unorganised workers in Special Camps organised by the labour Department.
For incentivising adoption by businesses, the Food and Civil Supplies Department has reached out to all 1200 petrol pump dealers for installing swipe machines. E-Pos Machines have been installed in 20,000 out of 23,000 PDS shops. The Commercial Tax Department, with local Chamber of Commerce, is organising meeting of small businesses to apply for e-Pos or e-Payment systems. Also, the State Government has decided to exempt State VAT on e-Pos machines and Cell Phones below Rs. 5,000.
Commercial Tax Department is now accepting only online payments. Other Government Departments would also ensure online payments by December 25 and cash receipts would be stopped. Above all the government is also encouraging competition among districts, blocks and Banks during the campaign. On the basis of performance, districts, blocks and banks will be rewarded on December 28, 2016.