Technology has contributed significantly to the development of Jammu and Kashmir: BDO Shakeeel Bhatt

Shopian, April 18 (IANS). Technology has contributed significantly to rural development in Jammu and Kashmir. The Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system has secured transparency of the government schemes, which directly benefit from each section of society. Block Development Officer (BDO) Dr. Shakeeel Bhatt, who worked in the Shopian district, spoke to Ians and explained how technology facilitated people. Dr. Shakeeel Bhatt said technology easily transported the schemes to the people, including Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, MnRega, Swachh Bharat Mission and many other government schemes. He described DBT as an important initiative. He said the main purpose of DBT is to ensure that government subsidies and other financial aid directly reach the bank accounts of the beneficiaries. Earlier, subsidy and assistance were given in the form of checks or cash, which could not reach part of the money the beneficiaries due to corruption. According to a report, only 15 Paise from one rupee could reach the right beneficiaries. Shakeeel Bhatt said the government has begun the DBT system to solve this problem, in which all types of government subsidies are transferred directly to the beneficiaries of the beneficiaries. This system is completely electronic, which does not require any kind of physical process, such as check or cash distribution. He said that only 28 schemes were implemented under the DBT system in the beginning (in 2013-14), but so far this number has increased to 320 schemes. This system has helped make the implementation of government schemes faster and transparent. The successful implementation of DBT consists of three most important technical elements. The first is the first Jan Dhan Yojana, below each citizen got a bank account, which took important steps to take financial inclusion. Now almost all citizens have a bank account. The second is Aadhaar card, 99 percent of adults in the country have Aadhaar cards, giving them a unique identity and helps to take advantage of government schemes. He placed mobile connection on number three, saying that the extent of mobile connectivity in India in 2013 was 53 percent, which has now risen to 85 percent. This means that most citizens now have the facility of cell phones and internet, which makes the DBT system more efficient. -Ians DSC/ABM shares this story -tags