Initiatives for Digital Payments Promotion

Bokaro District in Jharkhand was created on 1st April, 1991. It is one of the most industrialized zones in India. According to 2011 Census, the population of the District is 20,62,330. The District covers an area of 2883 sq. km and has a literacy rate of 73%.

Implementing Digital Payments Promotion Strategies

• The District Administration created a roadmap with the objective of increasing the digital literacy and digital payments in Bokaro.
• Informational advertisements were published in newspapers, and a large scale District-wide awareness camps and training programmes were conducted for all District level officers and staff. ‘BHIM Sena’ was created with a group of volunteers, Master Trainers to promote digital payments.
• The District officials conceptualised and implemented a Chai-Samosa training model and universal training programme of all Government school teachers. Administration conceptualised and implemented a Chai-Samosa training model based on the ‘learningby-doing’ principle. Each person in the training was encouraged to complete two cashless transaction of one rupee each through swiping card or using UIDAI enabled Micro-ATM or transacting through an e-Wallet. Upon completion of the task the learner was rewarded with a training completion certificate and transaction receipts. These two one-rupee receipts entitled the learner to Chai and Samosa, providing an instant emotional bond that Cashless Means of Payment can result in tangible goods.
• A two day workshop was conducted in the District to promote digital payments. Special camps were organised at every village and Block office. Door-to-door visits were undertaken by banking correspondents and team of volunteers.
• The ‘Cashless Walk’ was introduced in the District. The ‘Cashless walk’ was led by the Deputy Commissioner or a senior district level officer along with other district officials, bank employees, BHIM Sena volunteers, local public representatives and members of civil society. The merchants who had adopted digital payments were appreciated and felicitated to encourage and motivate them.
• Public awareness was targeted through social media including WhatsApp group for every block.
• As information can be disseminated faster and more efficiently through audio-video means, the Digi Rath or Digital LED vans were launched on designated route maps to enable adequate coverage across the District. The vans publicised details of digital payments, its benefits, ease of use, etc. Finally, financial literacy camps were also organised in all Panchayats.

Using Technology

Public awareness was targeted through social media viz Twitter, Facebook and WhatsApp. Additionally, a WhatsApp control group was created for every Block in the District.

Monitoring Mechanism

Weekly review meetings were conducted at District and Block level to monitor progress and identify and negate the gaps in implementation. Moreover, a control team was deployed at District and Block level to monitor awareness programmes conducted as part of the scheme.

Impact (01.04.2016 to 31.12.2017)

Payment to Pensioners was 100% done through digital medium and 100% labours payment under MNREGA was made digitally. Further, 100% Revenue Offices and 42 Fertiliser Shops have digital payment facility. Two cashless Panchayats at Dugda West and Dugda South and two Digi Gaon at Kura Village and Chandankiyari East were set up in the District, which were the first in Jharkhand. By the end of July 2017, all Government services in the District were provided to citizens where digital transactions were enabled.

Additionally, 69% of bank accounts were seeded with mobile phones and 81% of bank accounts were seeded with Aadhaar. The percentage of electricity bills paid through digital payment mode increased from 1% to 10% in last 20 months.

Source : Emulating Excellence - Takeaways for replication - PM Awards 2017 & 2018