Honourable Prime Minister of India, after meeting 25 best performing Banking Correspondent (BC) Sakhis in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh on December 21, 2021, set tone for DBT payouts channeled through BC Sakhis in a public meeting. In the backdrop, UNICEF and Department of Rural Development (DoRD), Government of Uttar Pradesh (GoUP) entered into an agreement to set in a pilot project to explore possibility of an array of digitisation of provisions of multi-sectoral services made through several schemes of 12 State Government Departments.

BC Sakhi is a community cadre deployed under the schematic provision of DAY-NRLM of Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), implemented by Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission (UPSRLM). BC Sakhis operate as mobile banking agent to provide Micro-ATM-based banking services in UP’s rural areas. The model has stabilised in the rural areas of Uttar Pradesh and despite limitations is showing excellent prospect for financial inclusion.

In a pathbreaking attempt, the UNICEF-DoRD supported DBT pilot project that envisages to set up a digital ecosystem keeping the end-beneficiaries at the centre. The automated data-system through a process flow is expected to pass through; from application submission to approval levels to realization of benefits by the beneficiaries. Despite issues related to digital interface with departmental portals, the pilot project could establish a meaningful case of convergence of multi-sectoral benefits to UPSRLM’s SHG members. The reports on the landing page are dynamic and are subjected to reflect the latest situation on the ground.

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