Direct Benefit Transfer system to eliminate leakages: FM

"It will lead to seamless transition. We believe that the new system, which we will introduce, will be more transparent. It will eliminate leakages, delays, duplicacies and falsification. Government firmly believes this will introduce a very high degree of efficiency and transparency," he said.

Chidambaram was replying to a short notice question by Prakash Javadekar (BJP) as to whether government has taken a decision of direct cash transfer in beneficiary accounts for 29 centrally sponsored schemes.

He said a decision has been taken to shift to a system of Aadhar enabled Direct Benefit Transfer of funds under 34 identified central sector/centrally sponsored schemes.

The schemes will be implemented in a phased manner starting with 43 districts with effect from January 1 next year, he said.

"The scheme was not devised in a hurry. It will not be implemented in a hurry. Our watchword for the scheme is we will not hasten, will implement it slowly, step by step," he said.

Seeking to allay apprehensions of members over lack of infrastructure and training to implement the shift in the system of transferring the benefits, the Finance Minister said, "Technology will help us roll out (the cash transfer). There will be some hiccups in the beginning but these hiccups will be overcome....Training is being provided. Bank managers, business correspondents are being trained." (MORE)