The UDF government in Kerala has tom-tommed its decision as the game changer of all times. Come 01 Jan '13, a set of subsidies will be paid directly into the bank accounts of individuals to ensure speedy disbursement, avoid duplication and also to prevent exploitation by middlemen! The idea seems to have germinated from the late Rajiv Gandhi's lament that only 15 paise out of every rupee, spent by the government on an individual's welfare, reaches the beneficiary!! By end '13, the central government intends to have this scheme extended to the entire country.
The first list of subsidies will have 29 items, the notable among them being the widow pension, the old age pension, pension for the handicapped and the educational scholarships.
Much of the beneficiaries would belong to the families living below poverty line who do not boast of having a personal bank account. And what's on offer to tide over this difficulty? The following steps have been mooted:-
(a) 'Aadhaar' documents would suffice to open an account.
(b) No money is required as initial deposit.
(c) If direct access to the bank is difficult, the account holder can operate by proxy. The bank reps
will visit such homes for direct disbursement through portable 'mini ATMs'.
(d) The 'anganwadi' workers, teachers and 'self help groups' can assume the role of bank reps!
Their remuneration would be determined by the volume of their business. Post Offices and
hospitals can also do the duties of bank reps.
(e) No minimum amount, will be insisted upon, in the account!
At one look it looks a fine idea with noble intentions. Let's see how it rolls!
Tailpiece.
Being a thoroughbred Malayalee and having been witness to many a grandiose scheme turning out to be duds, I've the following doubts:-
(a) Wouldn't the poor people be open to exploitation by a new breed of population in the form
of bank reps?
(b) How many of the 'bpl' population have the 'aadhaar' documents?
(c) And mind you, the project is being taken up just before a general election. Isn't it another
poll gimmick?
(d) Who's the greatest beneficiary? The banks. And the banking system is gonna encompass the
entire Indian population.
(e) A small question, finally. What about the illiterates, though Kerala seems to be on a good
wicket here?
The first list of subsidies will have 29 items, the notable among them being the widow pension, the old age pension, pension for the handicapped and the educational scholarships.
Much of the beneficiaries would belong to the families living below poverty line who do not boast of having a personal bank account. And what's on offer to tide over this difficulty? The following steps have been mooted:-
(a) 'Aadhaar' documents would suffice to open an account.
(b) No money is required as initial deposit.
(c) If direct access to the bank is difficult, the account holder can operate by proxy. The bank reps
will visit such homes for direct disbursement through portable 'mini ATMs'.
(d) The 'anganwadi' workers, teachers and 'self help groups' can assume the role of bank reps!
Their remuneration would be determined by the volume of their business. Post Offices and
hospitals can also do the duties of bank reps.
(e) No minimum amount, will be insisted upon, in the account!
At one look it looks a fine idea with noble intentions. Let's see how it rolls!
Tailpiece.
Being a thoroughbred Malayalee and having been witness to many a grandiose scheme turning out to be duds, I've the following doubts:-
(a) Wouldn't the poor people be open to exploitation by a new breed of population in the form
of bank reps?
(b) How many of the 'bpl' population have the 'aadhaar' documents?
(c) And mind you, the project is being taken up just before a general election. Isn't it another
poll gimmick?
(d) Who's the greatest beneficiary? The banks. And the banking system is gonna encompass the
entire Indian population.
(e) A small question, finally. What about the illiterates, though Kerala seems to be on a good
wicket here?
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