NITI Aayog to lead initiative of cashless transactions at govt offices

New Delhi: In wake of demonetisation, NITI Aayog on Friday said that it will convert 100 per cent transactions between government and citizen through digital platforms.

In an attempt to transform India into a cashless economy, the Centre has constituted a committee, under the leadership of NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant, who will identify and operationalize the earliest possible time frame for user-friendly digital payment options in all sectors of the economy.

In this regard, NITI Aayog will establish and monitor a framework with strict timelines to ensure that nearly 80 per cent of the transaction in India moves to the digital-only platform.

The committee will identify various digital payment systems appropriate to different sectors of the economy and will make them accessible and user-friendly.

The committee will also estimate costs involved in various digital payments options and oversee implementation to make online transaction cheaper than cash transaction.

For expeditious implementation of the scheme, NITI Aayog will engage with all government bodies including central ministries, regulators, state governments, district administration, local bodies, trade and industry associations, etc. to promote rapid adoption of digital payment systems.

Transforming India into cashless currency, Prime Minister Narendra Modi during demonetisation move had urged the citizens to go cashless and use digital platforms to make payments of various utility bills.