Digital India
The Government of India launched the Digital India campaign to make government services available to citizens electronically through online infrastructure improvements and also by improving internet connectivity in rural areas and semi-urban areas. The main aim of the Digital India campaign was to empower the country digitally in the domain of Technology. It was launched by the Prime Minister of India on the 1st of July 2015. It was implemented as a beneficiary to other government schemes which include Sagarmala, Startup India, BharatNet, Stand up India, Bharatmala and Make in India.
The primary focus of Digital India’s mission is in three areas:
- services and governance on demand
- look after the digital empowerment of every citizen of India
- provide digital infrastructure as a source or utility to every citizen
It launched the vision of inclusive growth in areas of electronic products, manufacturing, job opportunity and services.
Pillars of Digital India
Digital India aims to provide the much-needed thrust to the nine pillars of growth areas. Each area is a complex program in itself and spans multiple Ministries and departments. The nine pillars are:
- Broadband highway
- Public Internet Access Programme
- e-Governance
- e-Kranti
- Information to all
- Universal Access to Mobile Connectivity
- Early Harvest Programmes
- IT for Jobs
- Electronics manufacturing
Digi Dhan Abhiyaan
In order to promote cashless transactions, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology launched a new campaign called DigiDhan Abhiyaan.
DigiDhan Abhiyaan was launched to enable every citizen, merchant and smart trader and promote digital Payment in their day to day financial transactions.
Under the Digi Dhan Abhiyaan, The ministry also launched a free air channel called Digi Shala, which will impart information in rural and semi-urban areas on the digital payment ecosystem.
Digi Shala will be broadcasted nationally on DD and free of cost DTH services. The estimated viewership of the channel is calculated to be more than 2 crores across the country.
Digi Shala will educate people through a step by step demo of making digital payments using USSD, UPI, Aadhaar enabled payment systems, cards, e-wallets, etc The channel will also broadcast talk shows and panel discussions with experts.
The ministry has also launched a new website named cashlessindia.gov.in Order to promote awareness about digital transactions. the website or portal will be a repository of information on different initiatives in digital payment methods.
The journey from Pathshala to Digi Shala is a sign of transforming India. Digital payment is described to be honest, transparent and accountable which also widens the tax base that is currently very narrow. The government will also involve 1,75,000 Common service centres for CSCs in order to promote, spread awareness and educate people about cashless transactions.
Result
The government digital purchase is already yielding tremendous results. According to statistics, within a month digital wallet usage has increased from 17 lakhs to 63 lakhs each day.
Transactions conducted through Rupay have also increased from 3.85 lakh to 16 lakhs each day.
Transactions through UPI have also increased from 3722 to 48238 daily transactions. Moreover, the usage of swipe machines have also increased from 50.2 lakhs a month to 98.1 crores.