Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the biggest public push for a ‘cashless economy’ on his monthly ‘Mann ki Baat’ radio address. He acknowledged that while a ‘cashless’ society is not immediately possible, and appealed to the people to work towards it by being part of a ‘less-cash’ society immediately.
The Prime Minister also asks for suggestions from the people on issues he could take up in his radio programme. While he has not taken up the burning issue the country was facing at the time of his past Mann Ki Baat, speculation is rife that Modi may speak on demonetisation and link it to black money and as a big step to curb terrorist activities in the country.
“Everyone has asked me to speak in detail on the Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 notes. I repeat what I told earlier, it will take 50 days to completely imbibe the change,” PM Modi said.
But meanwhile, young people, who were the agents of change, should take the initiative to usher in a cashless society, he said. They should take to online transactions which are safe and secure and instruct others around them, especially the elderly on the processes to book tickets and make purchases online.
The prime minister said the decision on demonetisation is tough “but (the) future will be bright”.
He advised people, including villagers, to take the e-wallet route to withdraw money in order to counter problems while withdrawing money.
“Era of wallet has gone, you can use your mobile phone as your bank branch with the same ease with which you take snaps and send them to friends,” Modi said.
“Learn about card payments and other electronic modes of payment. Look at the malls and see how they functioning. A cashless economy is secure, it is clean. You have a leadership role to play in taking India towards an increasingly digital economy,” he added.
“You can teach your folks at home. Not just that, you could teach five neighbours a day. More importantly, if you could teach a push-cart vendor or your vegetable vendor, there is no reason we cannot move towards a cashless India,” he said.
PM Modi emphasised, “I took this decision for the country’s poor, farmer, labour, deprived and for those who are suffering. Workers are not paid minimum wages; get less than written on paper. Opening bank accounts will help solve this problem.”
“There has been 300% increase in the use of Rupay card since poor people started using it, it is as simple as sending a WhatsApp. I want to urge men and women in small businesses that the time is right, you too enter the digital world. Common man will be trouble free if they are made aware of the digital financial transaction options, youths can do this quickly,” he said.
