Hyderabad: The conditions set by the Centre to promote digital payments through bank accounts as part of the Information, Education and Communication activities has added to the work burden on district collectors. The Centre has released Rs 74.66 lakh to the collectors of the 31 district in the state (on the basis of population) to take up IEC activities. In its sanction order, the Centre said that this was the first instalment for undertaking IEC activities to promote digital payments through bank accounts for day-to-day financial transactions.
The incentive for undertaking IEC activity is at the rate of '10 per individual who shifts to digital payment mode. For this, the Centre has set some conditions on the district collectors. It said that the IEC activities’ achievement would imply seeding of Aadhaar and mobile numbers to bank accounts, issue of Rupay cards and PIN wherever necessary and finally achieving two successful transactions.
The collectors would have to provide documentary evidence of actual achievement of the purpose giving name of the beneficiary, Jan Dhan account number, branch and date of activation of actual electronic transactions. The funds would be adjusted subsequently against the total achievements for which documentary evidence is submitted and for which the money, if due, may be released and excess if any is required to be refunded by district collector.
The collectors will also have to furnish physical and financial progress reports and utilisation certificates for first instalment to NITI-Aayog by January 31, 2017 to facilitate release of the second instalment. Officials said that district collectors, particularly in TS, are already over-burdened with work following the reorganisation of districts. “To send reports sought by the Centre on digital campaign will add to the work burden on the collectors,” an official said.
Hyderabad Medchal and Rangareddy districts received '5 lakh each from the Centre to take up the digital transaction campaign. Komaram Bheem district received the least (Rs 1.18 lakh) among all districts.
