“India a cash-mukt Bharat” – Modi government’s next big plan
NEW DELHI: According to senior government officials, the Centre is discovering methods to make it compulsory for all government agencies and departments — including services like road transport corporations and railways — to accept digital payments at points of customer interface.
The officials told ET about the plans, which are on drawing board, for large scale integration of various gateways of online payment of the state-owned agencies with modes of official payment like BHIM and Bharat QR code. The government is considering enticements for those citizens who opt for digital payments.
A senior official mentioned that, there might be a launch of a big-ticket campaign by the government on Gandhi Jayanti announcing some of the measures to achieve the goal of a cashless economy. This campaign will run till January 26 (Republic Day).
“Of the overall transactions, government payments account for a large proportion and if done digitally, there will be a massive growth in electronic payments,” said the official.
The mandate of promoting digital payments has been given to the ministry of electronics and IT. At their internal review meeting, Ravi Shankar Prasad (union minister) asked officials to roll out the campaign from October 2.
The inter-ministerial committee on digital payments is discussing the details of the proposals.
A top Railway Board official said, “In order to accept digital payments, we have decided to equip all the ticket counters. As per the recent procedures, across all 14 lakh reservations counters in the country, Bharat QR code will be put up. Our target is to make half the transactions digitally enabled at ticket counters”.
He added, “For freight bookings also, the same will be done. Already, 90% payments are cash free for freight”.
Passenger tickets worth Rs 52,000 crore are sold by Indian Railways every year wherein 60% are through the online booking portal and rest are sold for cash at reservation counters.
Another official mentioned, “One thing to focus upon is how can Bharat QR code be made universally accepted payment infrastructure”. He added that a lot of background work is required since Bharat QR code still reject payments from individuals without a debit or credit card.
The official stated, “Still digital is not the primary payment mode. Regarding the reduction in dependence on cash, lots of ideas are discussed but they are still to be finalized”.
Integrating BHIM and UPI with all online payment options of public sector undertakings (PSUs) and government departments is one of the proposals being discussed.
All points of government-public interface, like train, bus, passport offices and metro ticket counters may well be asked to receive payments through Bharat QR code. Bharat QR code should be printed as a prominent payment option on all utility bills, like water and electricity.
Added to this, there is another proposal which includes incentivizing the state road transport corporations to switch to digital payments and compel them to offer discounts. This should be done along with a missive to all PSUs and ministries to promote digital payments.
Senior roads ministry official mentioned that for all cars from October, the government is planning to make RFID toll tags compulsory.
The official also said, “We’ll prepare all toll lanes also to accept payments through digital mode. The focus will be to have electronic toll collection, but also there will be a display of Bharat QR code for people willing to pay through BHIM app“.
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, is also focusing on digital payments because currently a majority of its card recharges and token sales happens through cash.
The DMRC spokesperson said, “All recharges are made online or through cards. It can even be done through banking apps. Handling cash is difficult, hence it’s better to be as cash-free as possible”.
Dear Sir
I have been the practitioner of digital payment for over a decade and was over whelmed by demonetization. I downloaded BHIM app and used it extensively though it comes with lot of limitations. For quiet a long time I am getting errors while transacting on BHIM. Last week i raised the complaint which is still to be addressed. I am left with no options than to go for cash payments as my bank charges me for every transaction.
Now it is for the government to work upon high quality technology and delivery systems are in place and grievances are addressed on time. Please check the link attached which highlights the commercial exploitation by the banks.
Sir..
It’s bhim….
If it’s Krishna then everything will be easy..
Learnt from mahabharat..?
It is all very well to talk about cards – both debit and credit. But what about the percentage charged by banks for credit/debit card transactions. I draw the particular attention to booking of reserved tickets. Banks/Card/Cash card agencies charge 1.8 percent on the total amount. Secondly on reversal of the transaction, the cost is NOT refunded. Who will want such a situation ? Why such a high rate of interest ? Answers to these must first be addressed by the senior bureaucrats who come out with such great announcements, as this ….. as if they don’t know all this .
I axepted your plans
For using our computer and internet hours and save the booking clerk’s salary for railways,there should be a discount in the fare.
I agree with Mr. Muralidhar. We need cash mukt Bharat but the current charges by Debit/credit cards should be nominal. Also there should be some ceiling on interest charges. Government should convince the service provider about the volume game.
First step they can make all government transactions should be digital with out transaction fee.
Yes i totally agree with mr uday shetty .in order to get india cash mukht, government should encourage people by providing all these digital services free to everyone . I don’t understand why banks charges fee for services like transferring money from one bank acc to another bank acc . Banks in Countries like united kingdom never charge fee for transferring money. They even provide free card replacement if it is reported lost or stolen.. I find it difficult how then our country will pursue cashless banking if they are not provided these services for free… make india cash mukht with charges mukht…
I BOOKED RAILWAY TICKETS USING IRCTC SBI PLATINUM CARD. THE BOOKING FAILED AND NO TICKET WAS ISSUED STILL I HAD TO PAY DOUBLE THE SURCHARGE AMOUNT NEITHER SBI NOR IRCTC RESPONDED TO MY REQUEST. EACH ONE DIRECTED ME TO THE OTHER FOR RESOLUTION. NOW I DO NOT BOOK ANY RAILWAY TICKETS.
Still common man suffers,
Who is common man today? if mobile phone can penetrate 51% in Urban and 16% in rural. Digitisation too can reach. Cash mukt means – through Cheque, Debit/Credit card, Pay wallets etc. One can get prepaid card through banks which does not require pin for transaction. One can add limit for each transaction/swipe. If there is will there is a way
Railways must allow us to purchase unreserved ticked also through online digital payment and also for any extension of ticket as wifi are available on most of the big railway station.
IF WE GO BY THE APPROACH OF THE PRESENT GOVERNMENT WE WILL RETURN TO THE OLD SYSTEM OF BARTER TRADING & LOOSING IN THE PROCESS OUR FREEDOM & PRIVACY EVEN THE ONE OF THE MOST DEVELOPED COUNTRY FRIENDS OF MODI DO NOT HAVE ON THEIR AGENDA CASHLESS ECONOMY WE TRIED DEMONETISATION & THE RESULTS ARE BEFORE ALL OF US TO SEE.EXPORTS HAVE GONE DOWN EMPLOYMENT RELATED EXPORTS IS DISMAL AND THE MANPOWER IS FORCED TO GO TO NATIVE PLACE FINDING NO ALTERNATIVE SOURCE TO SUSTAIN THEM. G.S.T. WAS A GOOD STEP BUT THAT REQUIRED MORE TIME FRAME& TRADERS & OTHER PROFESSIONAL CONNECTED ARE A CONFUSED LOT & EVEN THE GOVERNMENT HAS NO ANSWER TO THE QUESTION RAISED BY THE TRADING COMMUNITY. PRODUCTION WAS HAMPERED DUE TO CONFUSION
The biggest barrier in digital payment is ease of access of mode of digital payment, though they are available but the cost of using is very high. If charges or rental become zero this will promote to an extent which probably no one can imagine. Seriously Government should think on this.
All insurance companies are refusing to accept cheques for third party motor insurance.
How is this justified?
I have sent an email to the PMO but with zero response.
Useless excercise.
ofcourse ….don’t know abt we but m going to be cashless definitely (minimum account balance scheme, last mo they debited my 257 Rs, ho gaya na cashless), and this noble work to be fulfilled by dear bank n govt….
done
i will go to for your done
Very good
अगर ऐसा होता है तो अच्छे दिन तो आएंगे ही
तभी कहलायेगा *राम राज्य* ।।
जै हिन्द
aadhar card charge rs 200 is small issue, yes it is an issue.. people in govt offices (i have seen this in govt registrar office) are opening accepting/wanting money in cash on top of the fees (we already pay stamp duty and registration charges) the whole system is corrupted.
putting digital system, using smart phones or enrolling to aadhar card is not progress or development.
people have to change, thinking have to change. not to give and not to take bribe.
if not, then it will be same India or call it Bharat or Hindustan.
This is a good idea for government, i think this plane is very good succsess for government every buddy opportunity of country progress and sabka sath sabka vikas is good slogen for helth of country
1)Howmany people know e-transaction system ?
2)Who is give missing amount?
3)Who had told open zerobalance account for poorpeople now who gave permission debit non maintain min balance punishment to poorpeople?
Ans- You are a great frauder.
Chutiya banaya sabko
Making everything cashless is a good action taken by Govt.but official should make it with no charge as some banks, and other agencies are still charging .0.25to1.5%of transaction amount
Well thought but govt.should look after to minimise the transaction charges
It’s a very good idea but cash mukt should be accompanied with charge mukt devices. Then only we can expect masses to cashless modes. In addition there should be some incentives like discounts on cashless modes of payment.
WHILE THE MOVEMENT IS WELL APPRECIATED & SOMEONE NEEDS TO START IT I AGREE, BUT GROUND REALITY IS AS FOLLOWS:
IN ORDER TO CATCH THE CROCODILES IN THE LAKE – THEY DRIED UP THE LAKE!! THEY FORGOT THAT THE CROCS ARE AMPHIBIANS & CAN SURVIVE VERY WELL ON LAND AS WELL…
AS A RESULT ALL SMALL ‘FISH’ IN THE LAKE DIED DUE TO LAKE BEING DRIED UP!!!
MANY RESTAURANTS STILL ACCEPT “ONLY CASH”…target them now!
Good initiative. However the card charges and service charges factors to be considered and waived to encourage common man who support this effort…
India needs to cut on cash transaction to a large extent. However, it should only be implemented in a phased manner. For example, All Asset(property, vehicle, gold,etc.) purchase irrespective of the amount must happen through a bank account. Make all air ticketing and AC class railway ticketing, school fee payments to be done only online or by Card. All Salaries irrespective of the sector should only happen through the bank. All Malls must transact only on credit card. Cash Card or Debit card with no transaction charge should be introduced for all transactions below Rs 5000.00. This will take care of many transactions. All digital transactions must be incentivised with some percent benefits..say using the card for bus tickets, rail tickets, electricity bill payments etc. There can be much more areas to go on. However, some areas should also be exempted – like daily need purchase of milk vegetable etc. Also, Sr citizens, should be exempted from use of cards..it is technically not correct at this stage. We all want India to come at par with the world.
sir(P.M) i know that in this is lunching rual aginest ford and taxes cheating stop in futcher. but as small businessmen and poor daily work and earning people look after that help..
but highest class taxes cheating many ears frad and loss of government income hold. not any discount any panility. he don’t many project lunch for development every month he do not know that taxes help that project, so happy for advance taxes rule is very good decision,many people only our income. he not know when india developing is needed this time’
regards
hemant kumar verma
small person startup india
Cash less bharath, sounds good.but all transactions will be by debit/ credit card & again BRIBE by CASH only. it will be compulsory in Cash in govt offices. How to STOP this Cash movement in govt offices?what plan/step is taken to stop CASH movement as bribe?
SIR (P.M)
CASHLESS BHARAT IS GOOD BUT ALL GOVT. OFFICERS DEMAND CASH SO HOW TO STOP THIS CASH SYSTEM. SO YOU KNOW E-TRANSACTION BUT OTHERS PEOPLE DOES NOT KNOW ABOUT E- TRANSACTION . YOU ARE A GREAT FRAUD AND LIER
1) Local market sale without bill need to be stopped
2) Income tax on deposits/saving need to stopped when such low interest are paid by banks/financial companies ,which
only update value of money,and not additional income to persons
3) Transport of good/products/food articles/ materials on road without taxable documents
4) Relief to old persons above 60 and 80 by recent govt.is pain full and adversely results in next election
If Bharat is cash mukht,what do we give to beggars? How do we pay to corrupt officials?The business of politicians is all on cash basis
Respected sir ,
I am working in HT Media LTD , working from. October-2007 I am getting salary 7999/- only , I asked my re times they not increase , they telling it is not possible . Then how to work about . Please understand
Rgds Shankar
nice plan
YOUR PLAN IS ACCEPT
MANO HAR NAYAK BANGALORE.
I am interested the cashless transaction should increase to strengthen our country,but one incident I will tell you
Recently I went to recharge my mobile with Data, shopkeeper recharged as per my request and charges were Rs
429/- I did not have full cash to pay and I gave my debit card, shop keeper told me 2% Please tell me charges I have to pay on the transaction amount. Please tell me who is benefited in this cashless transaction…
Hhhi
Is India ready to go digital? Indian police is not ready to fight digital crime. Common man is put to great risk by this lope sided approach. Prepare Indian police to fight and neutralise cyber crime before forcing common citizens to go digital. Is digital literacy not must before practice ? Fraudsters have a heyday in the present system ( no fear of being caught by cyber illiterate police, Innocent illiterate users)
there should not any transaction charge for debit/credit card and money transfer on line then ONLY more and more people will join this CASH MUKT ABHIYAN
Start withdrawing cash form the current market in phases. Like 10% there after 5% , 3%” & 2% manier or design something like other. Traders are not accepting nor transportation sector accepting. Ones cash disappeared from the market they will have no other options to opt e-payment.
Thanks & Regards
TO ENCOURAGE CASH LESS TRANSACTIONS:
1.Remove all Transaction charges on Cards/ On line Transfers.
2.Provide Swipe machines to all establishments free of cost.
3.No Swiping charges.
4.Give bonus points for using cards..every 1000 rupees spent.1 point.All points can be reused for transcations/ settling bills.
5.Ensure all have bank accounts and cards.
& Most Importantly…
Give ourselves time of 3~5 years..
things will change slowly.