Cash transfer scheme in six Maharashtra districts today

Mumbai: Six districts in Maharashtra are among the 20 districts across the country where ambitious Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme will be rolled out today.

"The scheme will be launched in Mumbai city, Suburbs, Pune, Vardha, Amravati and Nandurbar districts across Maharashtra from January 1, 2013," a release issued by Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said.

[caption id="attachment_574634" align="alignleft" width="380"] Finance Minister P Chidambaram said the scheme will be rolled out in a phased manner. Reuters[/caption]

"In Maharashtra, around five crore people have completed formalities to register themselves for Aadhaar card while 4 crore 20 lakh people have been issued the cards," the release said. According to the communique, guardian ministers and secretaries would launch the scheme in their respective districts.

"The beneficiaries can withdraw the amount by using ATM card. In the villages, where ATM service is not available, the bank business correspondents would make a portable micro-ATM machine available and directly disburse the amount to beneficiaries by visiting their home," it said.

More from Economy

Announcing the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) in Delhi today, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said the scheme will be rolled out in a phased manner, where the benefits of seven central schemes will be directly credited into the bank accounts of beneficiaries across 20 districts from January 1.

However, the government has decided to hold back the "complex" transfer of food, fertiliser and fuel subsidies for the time being.

PTI