Govt rolls out Direct Transfer of Benefits in 20 districts in first phase

Jan 1,  2:10 PM The government today launched Direct Transfer of Benefits into beneficiaries's accounts in 20 districts today in 16 states including Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala. The scheme aims at providing benefits of several government welfare schemes directly to the beneficiaries’ bank accounts to plug leakages and reduce delays in their transfer. The scheme will begin in 11 more districts from 1st of February and in another 12 districts from 1st of March this year. Initially there will be a direct benefit transfer in 7 schemes. These include pre-matric scholarships for SCs and post-matric scholarships for SCs, STs and OBCs, Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahayata Yojana and stipend to SCs and STs for coaching-cum-guidance and vocational training. The scheme will benefit around two lakh people in the country. Food, fertiliser, diesel and kerosene subsidies are not covered under the scheme. It will be rolled out in phases in other parts of the country during 2013 after its succesful implementation in 43 districts. The scheme will be launched in Puducherry district tomorrow. Talking to All India Radio Puducherry Union Territory Chief Secretary ,Mrs.Sathyavathi said today being a holiday for Banks in Puducherry, the scheme will be launched from wednesday. Three of the districts identified in Punjab for Direct Transfer of Benefits include Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar also known as Nawan Shehar, Gurdaspur and Fatehgarh Sahib.