The Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme is likely to be implemented in 78 more districts in the next phase beginning July 1, as per the Prime Minister’s Office statement. The plan would contain three pension schemes managed by the Ministry of Rural Development for old age persons, widows and the disabled, while, post offices will also be included from October 1.
The Ministry of Home Affairs and the Registrar General of India (RGI) will work towards accelerating biometric collection in select districts in the National Population Register (NPR) states so that coverage of 70-80 per cent is achieved by June and DBT could be rolled out from July 1 successfully.
The government launched its ambitious DBT programme on January 1 this year. The welfare plan was initially rolled out in 20 districts and covered seven schemes, mostly scholarships, and is likely to have benefited more than 2 lakh people. A total of 43 districts in 16 states have been identified for the first round of DBT that will cover 26 social welfare schemes.
The primary aim of this Direct Benefit Transfer program is to bring transparency and terminate corruption from distribution of funds sponsored by the government. In DBT, benefit or subsidy will be directly transferred to the citizens living below poverty line and curbing the subsidy to those who don't require it.
