DMs raise issue of lack of bank infrastructure for rollout of DBT

NEW DELHI: The issue of lack of banking infrastructure hindering the rollout of direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme in districts was raised at the review meeting of the scheme here today.

In the meeting, which was called to discuss ways to address hitches that are impeding the implementation of the cash transfer scheme, the district magistrates raised concerns over slow progress in opening of new accounts by business correspondents which is leading to delay in linking to Aadhaar platform, sources said.

DMs were not happy with the pace of opening new bank accounts and cited lack of banking infrastructure as an impediment in the rollout of the scheme.

The meeting to review the rollout of DBT 121 targeted districts was attended by districts megistrates, bankers and lead bankers of various districts.

Finance Minister P Chidambaram, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh addresed the review meeting.

The DBT scheme is to be rolled out in 78 more districts on July 1, after which it would have covered one fifth of the country.