Third Regional Meeting on Cashless Transaction of M/O Social Justice & Empowerment held in Guwahati

On the directions of Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment had organised a Regional Meeting on 16th December 2016 at Guwahati, Assam, the third of a series of meetings primarily focussing on promotion and awareness generation on cashless transactions for all Citizens especially for Senior Citizens living in rural areas. The earlier two regional meetings were held in Delhi and Bangaluru on 8th December and 12th December respectively. The meeting was attended by Secretaries of the Departments of the North -Eastern States and West Bengal working for the welfare of Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, prevention of drug abuse and senior citizens. Representatives of Regional Resource and Training Centres (RRTCs) and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) of these regions including the State of Orissa were also present. 

The meeting was chaired by Smt. G. Latha Krishna Rao, Secretary Department of SJ&E, and was attended by Sri Arun Kumar, Special secretary and senior officers of the Ministry. 

The officers of the State Governments, RRTCs and NGOs working in the field of Drug Abuse Prevention and Senior Citizens were asked to coordinate the efforts for sensitization of all target groups especially senior citizens living in rural and remote areas of North-East. They have been asked to prepare and forward an Action Plan within a week’s time and to complete the first phase of awareness generation activities by January 15, 2017. Video films on the various types of cashless transactions developed by Niti Aayog were screened and circulated for wider dissemination. They were also requested to translate the films in regional languages in order to create better understanding. 

Speaking on the occasion, Smt. Rao highlighted that the States/NGOs should actively involve themselves for promoting the use of cashless transactions. She observed that Senior Citizens are often not aware of the latest developments in digital payment mechanisms but their participation is essential for the overall growth of the economy. She requested NGOs and other stakeholders to carry forward the message amongst all for promoting cashless transactions.