Karnataka launches DBT app, status of payments now at one’s fingertips

Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Thursday launched the direct benefit transfer (DBT) app to leverage technology to address a number of challenges beneficiaries are facing in Karnataka.

The state government gives cash relief under a number of schemes as well as one-off payments to targeted low-income families. They have been receiving the money through their bank accounts linked to their Aadhaar numbers.

A number of beneficiaries, however, had been facing some challenges like knowing if their bank account is linked to Aadhaar without which DBT is not possible. Or, even if they are linked, many with two or more accounts would not know which account had been linked and getting the cash.


Since the government has switched to transferring cash to people based on their eligibility, without an application from them, many would not know their account has received money. The DBT app, developed by the government, would solve these problems as beneficiaries can check the status of payments at their end, the chief minister said.

The government’s intention to increase transparency will be fulfilled only when citizens use the app and keep themselves updated on the cash credits, he said, and added the DBT app contains details of payments made under 120 schemes.

The government has credited about Rs 12,000 crore to Aadhaar-seeded accounts of beneficiaries in the last two years, additional chief secretary (e-governance) Rajeev Chawla said.

The DBT app, its project director MN Srivatsa said, can be downloaded through google play store and registered through e- KYC. The app will connect to NPCI and will update on the present status of bank seeding.

The DBT mobile app will also provide scheme-wise information regarding instalments of transferred amount, date of payment, bank account number and unique transaction reference number, he added.