Cash transactions not banned in Goa: Govt

Goa government today clarified that cash transactions are in operation and not being banned though the state has set the deadline to go cashless by December 31.
"Goa is likely to become the first state in India to shift to cashless transactions from December 31. Though cash transactions are not being banned, it's in interest of the state to encourage cashless transactions," State Commissioner of Commercial Taxes Dipak Bandekar said in a circular issued today.
The coastal state has begun working towards "cashless society" with the bank officials reaching out to the traders and businessmen asking them to shift from the traditional way to plastic or e-money.

"Government of Goa has decided to take the next step of enabling cashless transactions for various receipts and payments being done in the course of day to day business and market related transactions including domestic and commercial purpose," Bandekar said.
The circular stated that an appeal is being made to the manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers, dealers and other members of the trade to encourage cashless transactions "by making the use of other available modes of payments or cash transfers like the point of sale (POS) machines, QR code recognition and payment devices, swipe card enabled payment system and others."
"The system of transferring money over mobile phone would also be introduced in near future. Banks are also requested to create awareness regarding the ease of doing cashless transaction," Bandekar said.

The commissioner said the Commercial Tax officers who are in-charge of each ward shall visit the business places of dealers to verify compliance and submit report.