Karnataka is all set to roll out the pilot of government of India’s ambitious direct cash transfer (DCT) programme from January 1, 2013, in three districts - Mysore, Tumkur and Dharwad.
While preparations are almost complete in first two districts, there are some last minute arrangements which are still being done in Dharwad for the smooth rollout of the scheme. All banks are taking the steps required to ensure the launch of the scheme.
The government of India has identified 11 districts in South India for the roll out of the DCT scheme. The scheme will be launched in 43 pilot districts of 18 states in the first phase and cover other districts in 18 states from April 1, 2013. The ministry of finance is directly monitoring the implementation of the scheme closely.
As per the guidelines, subsidy, wages, scholarships, social security pensions, among others under various government-sponsored schemes are to be directly credited to the beneficiaries’ accounts to avoid delay, plug leakages and attain more transparency.
“All the banks, in association with line departments in the said three districts have taken steps to open the accounts of various beneficiaries under different schemes on a camp approach in a mission mode and also are in the process of linking Aadhaar numbers to their accounts,” M G Sanghvi, chairman and managing director, Syndicate Bank, and chairman, State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC) for Karnataka, said.
Addressing the 123rd meeting of the SLBC, here on Monday, he said banks have conducted door-to-door survey in their respective service area / wards for opening one account per family based on the electoral roll. Banks are also taking the help of reputed NGOs in this regard. The stress is given not only for opening one account per family but also for ensuring that all beneficiaries under the various schemes identified for implementation with effect from January 1, 2013, are having accounts and Aadhaar numbers linked to the CBS account, wherever available.
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Highlighting the theme of SLBC for the present fiscal, “Comprehensive Financial Inclusion”, Sanghvi informed that the banks have achieved 100 per cent coverage of all the 3,395 unbanked villages with a population of over 2,000 population. Under the population group of 1,600 to 2,000 as per 2001 Census, 1,562 villages in the state under Swabhimaan Financial Inclusion Plan have been allocated to the banks based on gram panchayat model, of which banks have already appointed BCAs to 272 villages up to December 20, 2012.
He also requested the participating banks to provide banking outlets in the remaining villages at an early date and also extend the required financial services to achieve meaningful and holistic financial inclusion.
Under Urban Financial Inclusion, the LDMs have already allocated wards to the banks in urban areas and SLBC has allocated wards to banks in Bangalore metro. He requested all the banks to ensure at least one bank account per family.
Sanghvi said 38 unbanked villages with population of 5,000 and above have been allotted to the concerned service area banks for opening brick and mortar branches, of which banks have already opened branches in 30 villages up to November 2012.