It is a poverty reduction measure in which government subsidies and
other benefits are given directly to the poor in cash rather than in the
form of subsidies.
What are its benefits?
It can help the government reach out to identified beneficiaries and can plug leakages. Currently, ration shop owners divert subsidised PDS grains or kerosene to open market and make fast buck. Such Leakages could stop. The scheme will also enhance efficiency of welfare schemes.
How is it implemented?
The money is directly transferred into bank accounts of beneficiaries. LPG and kerosene subsidies, pension payments, scholarships and employment guarantee scheme payments as well as benefits under other government welfare programmes will be made directly to beneficiaries. The money can then be used to buy services from the market. For eg. if subsidy on LPG or kerosene is abolished and the government still wants to give the subsidy to the poor, the subsidy portion will be transferred as cash into the banks of the intended beneficiaries.
What are the scheme's disadvantages?
It is feared that the money may not be used for the intended purpose and men may squander it.
Has it already been implemented in India?
Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) has already begun on a pilot basis in Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Karnataka, Pondicherry and Sikkim. The government claims the results are encouraging.
Are there any other drawbacks?
Yes, because only Aadhar card holders will get cash transfer. As of today, only 21 crore of the 120 crore people have Aadhar cards. Two other drawbacks are that most BPL families don't have bank accounts and several villages don't have any bank branches.
These factors can limit the reach of cash transfer.
What about elsewhere in the world?
Many Latin American countries have conditional cash transfer schemes in which money is transferred to poor families through women. The money is given, subject to them ensuring that their children attend school regularly, take preventive healthcare measures and provide better nutrition to their children. The Indian scheme is unconditional.
On 1 January 2013 The governMent launched its scaled down Cash Transfer Benefit (CBT) in 20 districts,but food, fertiliser And fuel subsidies will not be covered in the initial phase. All 26 schemes are ready for rollout. On 1 January 2013 the seven schemes in which payout is due in the (20 selected) districts, the money will be transferred through the direct benefit transfer system using the UIDAI platform.The scheme is going to be rolled out in 43 districts by 1 March 2013, 20 districts from January 1, 11 districts from February 1 and 12 districts from March 1. By end of 2013, the direct cash benefit transfer will be rolled out in all the districts of the country.
What are its benefits?
It can help the government reach out to identified beneficiaries and can plug leakages. Currently, ration shop owners divert subsidised PDS grains or kerosene to open market and make fast buck. Such Leakages could stop. The scheme will also enhance efficiency of welfare schemes.
How is it implemented?
The money is directly transferred into bank accounts of beneficiaries. LPG and kerosene subsidies, pension payments, scholarships and employment guarantee scheme payments as well as benefits under other government welfare programmes will be made directly to beneficiaries. The money can then be used to buy services from the market. For eg. if subsidy on LPG or kerosene is abolished and the government still wants to give the subsidy to the poor, the subsidy portion will be transferred as cash into the banks of the intended beneficiaries.
What are the scheme's disadvantages?
It is feared that the money may not be used for the intended purpose and men may squander it.
Has it already been implemented in India?
Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) has already begun on a pilot basis in Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Karnataka, Pondicherry and Sikkim. The government claims the results are encouraging.
Are there any other drawbacks?
Yes, because only Aadhar card holders will get cash transfer. As of today, only 21 crore of the 120 crore people have Aadhar cards. Two other drawbacks are that most BPL families don't have bank accounts and several villages don't have any bank branches.
These factors can limit the reach of cash transfer.
What about elsewhere in the world?
Many Latin American countries have conditional cash transfer schemes in which money is transferred to poor families through women. The money is given, subject to them ensuring that their children attend school regularly, take preventive healthcare measures and provide better nutrition to their children. The Indian scheme is unconditional.
On 1 January 2013 The governMent launched its scaled down Cash Transfer Benefit (CBT) in 20 districts,but food, fertiliser And fuel subsidies will not be covered in the initial phase. All 26 schemes are ready for rollout. On 1 January 2013 the seven schemes in which payout is due in the (20 selected) districts, the money will be transferred through the direct benefit transfer system using the UIDAI platform.The scheme is going to be rolled out in 43 districts by 1 March 2013, 20 districts from January 1, 11 districts from February 1 and 12 districts from March 1. By end of 2013, the direct cash benefit transfer will be rolled out in all the districts of the country.
