Policy to minimise burden on people soon, says Ahir

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 22

Union Minister of State for Home  Hansraj Gangaram Ahir today said a policy would soon be framed at the national level to minimise the cashless transaction burden on people.

Ahir  was  speaking to the media  after reviewing various centrally sponsored schemes and plans for the promotion of cashless transactions and digital payments at a meeting in Chandigarh.

On extra charges being levied by banks on cashless transactions, the minister said  “The government is aware about it and a policy will be framed to minimise the burden on the people.”   

Appreciating the steps taken by the UT for proper implementation of the cashless scheme by involving students, women, employees and banks, the minister said more efforts should be made for better outcome of the Mudra scheme. He expressed satisfaction over the implementation of centrally sponsored schemes in Chandigarh.

The government is constantly watching the “modus operandi” being adopted by medical stores to enhance the prices of some medicines whose rates had been slashed by the government. He said more Jan Aushadhi stores would be opened in Chandigarh. 

 Parimal Rai, Adviser to the UT Administrator, said after demonetisation, 6 lakh more accounts had been opened by banks. He said the UT Administration had promoted the cashless scheme in Chandigarh through the UPI, the USSD, the AEPS, bank cards and internet banking. Presentations were given on different aspects of cashless transaction and digital payment promoted by the UT Administration and banks. Ahir also reviewed the budget of Chandigarh and assured that more funds would be released for the UT.

Earlier, the minister called on VP Singh Badnore, Punjab Governor-cum-UT Administrator. Anurag Aggarwal, Home Secretary, TPS Luthra, UT DGP, and Ajit Balaji Joshi, Deputy Commissioner, and other senior officials attended the meeting.