Promote digital transactions: Chief Secy to bankers

Tribune News Service

Shimla, December 28

Additional Chief Secretary Narender Chauhan today asked banks to arrange point of sale (POS) terminal in government offices, hospitals and public utility services to reduce dependence on cash. He asked them to create a conducive environment for the use of digital mode of transaction.

At the 142nd meeting of the State-Level Bankers Committee (SLBC) convened by UCO Bank to review the banking sector performance, he said the state government was quite sensitive towards the demonetisation move of the Centre and remained vigilant towards the situation so that the common man was not made to suffer. He said the state government had arranged for transportation of cash through helicopter to difficult and remote areas of Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti in order to mitigate the problem of cash shortage faced by residents in these far-flung areas. He urged the banks and stakeholders to encourage the use of the digital payments in the field for building up of a strong cashless society for which public awareness and training camps be organised in every corner of the state. He lauded the banks for efficiently handling the situation post-demonetisation. Chauhan stressed the need for the use of Aadhaar platform for making payments. He added that the state government was making payments of benefit due under various schemes like MGNREGA and pensions under the social security scheme.