The intended direct cash transfer scheme from the Indian government seems to be logically not thought through. cant we think of a better solution that solve the real issues?
First let me ask some basic questions
1. People below poverty line may not have a bank account. How these people can be included financially?
2. Will the money transferred to the male member of the family or female member? You may know why its an important question?
3. How the government can make sure the money is spent for intended purposes?
4. Because of these cash transfer, in which areas the government spending will be reduced?
5. How the government can ensure the availability of quality food grains at optimum prices?
6. What will happen to PDSs across country and the Food Corporation of India?
7. In what measure, future beneficiaries will be included? Will the future inclusions be done in a proper way without any kick backs to the local authorities?
What can be the alternative?
How about a points scheme like a credit cards rewards programme? If we work out a points transfer scheme towards the Aadhar numbers of the beneficiaries, there would be minimum loop holes in the entire scheme. Every month, a specified points should be credited to the Aadhar cards (say 600 points equivalent of Rs 600 value), these points should be redeemable at PDS or any associated chain of stores. Accounts shops In this way, the benefit will be utilised properly. Bio metric validation is essential while redemption.
Slowly the PDS can be abolished. The retail chains can be mandated to provide cheaper food grains as part of their every store. With this method, people need not hold any bank account.
In future, these points should be redeemable at any schools instead of school fee and in any hospitals for treatment. To attract these points, government schools and private schools should compete. Similarly, Government hospitals and private hospitals should vie for collecting these points. Government institutions that cant attract a particular threshold on the overall points awarded to that area should be closed. It will make the government institutions more competitive with their counterparts in private sector.
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