In line with the priority of Government of India to promote the Digital Payment transaction in both public and private space, Ministry of Electronics and IT is taking a number of initiatives not only to offer better products in terms of technology and user friendliness but also to inform, educate and enable citizens in the country to make digital transactions. It would contribute to the national goal of making India corruption free, less cash economy.
To realise this objective, Ministry of Electronics and IT under the leadership of Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, Hon'ble Minister of Electronics and IT and Law & Justice, Govt of India, has conceptualized a campaign, 'Digi DhanAbhiyan' to enable every citizen, small trader and merchant to adopt digital payments in their every day financial transactions. During the campaign, citizens as well as small merchants will be informed about various modes of digital payments by educating them to download, install and transact for various modes of digital payment. To reach out to the citizens during the campaign, the Ministry will optimally use both digital modes of communication as well as physical reach outs like camps, companies etc. The Ministry will coordinate and run Digi DhanAbhiyan in effective parternership with other Ministries of Government of India and State Governments. It is expected that during the campaign, the Government will inform, educate and enable transactions for more than 2 crores citizens in both rural and urban areas.
The launch of the DigiShala, DD free DTH channel is the first step in this direction through electronic media. DigiShala will impart information and education, especially in rural and semi urban areas relating to Digital Payment ecosystem, its tools, benefit and processes. The Channel through its user-friendly content will also encourage to use digital payment in their everyday life.
DigiShala is free to air channel, which is broadcasted nationally on DD free DTH service. The channel is available through GSAT15 (DD Direct DTH), 93.5 degree East, Receive frequency: 11590 Mhz. The potential viewership of the channel is more than 2 crores across the country. The channel will be available without any subscription fee and hence, will be affordable to poor people.
On Digishala, citizens will be informed and educated about various digital payment options through step by step demos of making digital payments using UPI, USSD, Aadhar enabled payment systems, e-Wallets, Cards etc. Along with talk shows and panel discussions with experts.
Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, Hon'ble Minister of Electronics and IT & Law and Justice on 9th Dec. 2016 dedicated the channel to the nation. Shri P.P Chaudhary, Minister of State, Electronics and IT & Law and Justice and Ms. Aruna Sundararajan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and IT and other Sr. Officers of the Ministry and a large number of media personnel were present during the launch. Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, Minister of Electronics and IT & Law and Justice informed the media that Ministry of Electronics and IT is fully committed to promote the Digital Payment ecosystem in the country through technology, leadership by creating awareness and enablement programme like Digi DhanAbhiyan. Shr Ravi Shankar Prasad also said that the DigiShala will enable and empower every citizen of the country, especially, farmers, students, dalits and women in rural areas to learn the usefulness and benefits of digital payment in our everyday life and to adopt the same on a mass scale . The Hon'ble Minister also said that in days to come Ministry of Electronics and IT will launch other initiatives also. Hon'ble Minster of State Shri P.P. Chaudhary emphasised the need of moving the nation from cash to less cash society for transparent, accountable and corruption free society.
