Promote cashless transactions among people, KCR tells district collectors

Hyderabad: Having decided to promote cashless transactions in a big way, the Telangana government on Wednesday asked District Collectors to promote awareness among people, especially in rural areas.

"Ordinary people should be made aware of the cashless transactions. More swiping machines and ATMs should be made available in the rural areas," Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao said in a conference of district collectors.

"I have been talking to the bankers and I want you to have periodical meetings with the bankers to evolve strategies. The idea is to make the state totally cashless in the near future," he said.

Noting that the state government has taken up a pilot project to make Siddipet Assembly constituency totally cashless, Rao said the model should be replicated in other districts.

According to the Chief Minister, the 'T-wallet' mobile app being developed by the state government would soon be in place.

"Involve teachers, lawyers, students in educating the general mass on the cashless transactions," he told the Collectors, according to a release from his office.

Wednesday's meeting is the first Collector's conference held after the recent reorganisation of districts in the state. The number of districts has been increased from 10 to 31 in the re-organisation.

He said re-organisation of the districts has been done to decentralise administrative wings so that the fruits of development and welfare schemes effectively reached the beneficiaries.

"The State has become number one in the implementation of welfare schemes. We are spending more than Rs 30,000 crore on this. We are successful in eradicating all the social evils. With the same spirit, all the government programmes and policies should be implemented," Rao said.

He said about Rs three crore would be placed with each district collector. "Powers will be given to the district collectors to utilise these funds for an emergency work and other important issues. Utilise the constituency development funds of the Legislators and Parliament members. Focus on improving conditions in hospitals and hostels," he said.

Rao gave directives to the district collectors on the implementation of various welfare and development programmes.