Cashless Transactions: A Distant Dream for Rural India

Abstract

With a dream to make India a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy, Government of India introduced ‘The digital India’ programme. As part of promoting cashless transactions and converting India into less-cash society, various modes of digital payments are made available. Government of India initiated many schemes in order to achieve maximum digital literacy especially in rural areas. This paper highlights hurdles in generating digital literacy amongst rural people thus making it a dream to introduce cashless transactions as a trend in rural areas. This research paper mainly details issues identified in generating digital literacy. The Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyaan (PMGDISHA) scheme was initiated by Government of India in February 2017.The primary target of the scheme was to make 6 crore people digitally literate in a course of 2 years since inception, i.e to reach to around 40% of the rural household. The sanctioned budget for this project is Rs. 2,351.38 crore which it to be used for digital literacy in rural India. The emphasis of the scheme is to make at least one person of every household digitally literate in rural India. The training is imparted through identified training centers with an objective to empower citizens with access to knowledge, information, and skills for operating digital device. Learning outcomes include understanding basics of digital device, use of digital device for creating, accessing, managing and sharing information, using internet to browse in effective and responsible manner. This public policy has many shortcomings which might come through during the implementation of the same. In this study the authors has tried to identify some issues and have recommended some suggestions thereon. The paper also explores some of the problem areas which the government needs to reconsider for the success of the scheme.