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Introduction: High Priority and Focus to Push Towards Digital India
With the sheer size of the country and along with that the majority of the people still living in villages not connected with better infrastructure facilities, the Government of India implemented the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme to help hundreds of millions of people by transferring the funds under the various social welfare scheme directly into their account without the involvement of any middlemen. The scheme tries to help people at the low-income levels, women, elderly and farmers living in the remotest corners of our country. The DBT scheme is considered to be the high priority and focus area of the government.
What Is Direct Benefit Transfer?
The Direct Benefit Transfer scheme is a programme initiated by the Government of India to transfer funds under various welfare schemes directly to its receipt. The delivery process under this scheme is simpler and faster, ensuring accurate targeting of the beneficiaries and reduction of fraud. The amount is transferred directly to the people through their linked bank accounts. From its initiation, the government has disbursed a total of Rs 8.22 lakh crore, which is almost 60% of welfare and subsidies budget of the Union Government, directly into the accounts of beneficiaries.
Initiation of Direct Benefit Transfer
The Direct Benefit Transfer scheme was launched on January 1, 2013. The DBT mission was created under the Planning Commission to serve as the nodal point for the operation of the DBT programmes. It was transferred to the Department of Expenditure and finally it has been placed with Cabinet Secretariat under Secretary (Co-ordination and PG).
The Central Plan Scheme Monitoring System (CPSMS), now Public Finance Management System (PFMS), being implemented by the Office of Controller General of Accounts, acts as the common platform for routing funds under the DBT scheme. The CPSMS is involved in preparing of the beneficiary list, digital signing and processing of payments in the bank accounts of the beneficiary.
Governments Initiative to Connect with the People
In the first phase, the DBT scheme was introduced in 43 districts and later 78 more districts were added under 27 schemes that were pertaining to scholarships, women, child and labour welfare. The scheme was expanded further through out the country, with 7 new scholarship schemes introduced. The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) was brought under the DBT scheme in 300 districts that had higher Aadhaar enrolment.
A Electronic Payment Framework was introduced in 2015. This framework should be followed by all ministries and departments and it is applicable to all Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) where transfer of cash is involved to individual beneficiaries. It is not mandatory to have Aadhaar under the DBT schemes, but beneficiaries are encouraged to have Aadhaar as it is a unique identity and helps in targeting the intended beneficiaries.
Objectives of Direct Benefit Transfer
Restricting Pilferage and Minimizing Delay and Multilevel
The main objectives of the DBT scheme are as follows: restricting pilferage and duplication, accurately targeting the beneficiary, minimizing delay in payments to the beneficiary and minimizing various levels or middleman in the transfer of benefits.
Advantages of the Direct Benefit Transfer
Safe Delivery of Funds, Reduce of Theft and Direct Credit to Beneficiary
The DBT reduces the chances of fraud and brings in safe delivery of information and funds. The subsidy amount is directly credited into the beneficiary accounts without the involvement of the middlemen. The incidence of theft from government-sponsored schemes are reduced. It provides government a platform to communicate with both citizens and program participants. The DBT scheme helps in the distribution of funds to citizens who are in need of it. It seeks to provide assistance to people living in poverty.
Important Schemes Under DBT
There are 318 schemes under DBT. Some important schemes under the Direct Benefit Transfer initiative are: Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, National Food Security Mission, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana, National Livestock Mission, Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin, Atal Pension Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana, Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) and Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan (PM-SYM).
JAM, An Enabler of DBT
JAM (Jan Dhan, Aadhaar and Mobile) is a DBT enabler that refers to more than 22 crore Jan Dhan accounts, more than 100 crore Aadhaar cards and about 100 crore Mobile connections that provide a unique opportunity for implementing DBT in all welfare schemes of the government through out the country. The DBT schemes bring efficiency, transparency and accountability in the government system and the confidence of citizen in the governance will increase.