Cabinet Secretary tells ministries to junk cash, make digital transactions

NEW DELHI: Even as the demonetisation of high-value banknotes remains a political flashpoint, offices in South Block are battling to provide financial access to people.

Over a month after the announcement, the public is flooded with conflicting reports about whether the note ban has brought any profound effect. As there have been few specifics about the damage to black money cartels, the government wants ministries and departments to launch a large-scale campaign for digital economy and report to the Cabinet Secretariat by Tuesday.

A note by Cabinet Secretary P K Sinha, accessed by Express, reveals that all ministries and departments have been asked to junk cash and make digital transactions even in subordinate offices.

Sinha has asked the ministries to draw up an action plan to involve offices and PSUs for promoting digital payments. The note makes it clear that demonetisation for the government now is to go digital. It said the decision presents an opportunity to transform India into a less cash economy.

“All payments and receipts of your department may be done only through digital options. Specific targets may be laid down for boarding your target groups and beneficiaries and the progress be monitored on regular basis,” Sinha wrote in the note.

The welfare ministries, which have a direct interface with the public, have been told to launch a massive campaign to educate all segments of the population on digital financial transactions.