Cash transfer scheme launched in AP

The direct cash transfer scheme is not a jaadu ki chhadi (magic wand) to reform a broken down delivery

system and problems are there in its implementation, Union Minister Jairam Ramesh said on Sunday. It (Direct Benefits Transfer Scheme) is not a single 'jaadu ki chhadi' (magic wand). It is an experiment. The world's largest experiment in administrative reforms, he told reporters at Gollaprolu in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. The Union Rural Development Minister's remarks came against the backdrop of criticism that in the absence of proper infrastructure, the scheme cannot be operationalised successfully and that the benefits may not reach the intended beneficiaries. The scheme to provide cash benefits to the needy through Aadhar-linked bank accounts was launched on January one in 20 districts in six states and three union territories.  The scheme is proposed to cover the entire country by the end of this year. Ramesh admitted that there were hitches in the implementation of the scheme but was confident that it would be overcome. It has problems on the ground. It will have problems with banks, post offices and online connectivity. We have embarked on this. We will resolve these issues as we go along, he said after launching DBTS for MGNREGS at Gollaprolu. No solution is without ten problems in India. You can always find ten problems for one solution. The key to avoiding corruption at the beneficiary end is to give the beneficiary the choice of business correspondents, the minister replied, when asked if the business correspondents (BCs) could be a source of corruption.
While launching the scheme, Ramesh paid the pension amount to Nilla Satyanarayana, a physically challenged person, using a micro ATM. The minister also paid wages using micro ATM to MGNREGP workers on the occasion. He said a sum of Rs 3,000 crore was being distributed as wages to 55 lakh MGNREGP workers per annum in the state. Similarly, Rs 425 crore was being given as social security pensions to 16 lakh beneficiaries. This amount will now come directly to the beneficiaries' hands without having to run to banks or post offices. The amounts will be distributed through business correspondents using micro ATMs, the Minister said. Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, state Home Minister P Sabita Reddy, MPs Undavalli Arun Kumar and G Harsha Kumar, ministers, legislators and senior officials were present on the occasion.

-Sakshipost