Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)
Updated
Mangaluru Jan 25: "Lucky Grahak Yojana is a government scheme where thousands of customers can get rewards by making digital payments. Till date, we have give away nearly Rs 60 crore to five lac consumers across the country," said minister for law and information technology Ravi Shankar Prasad.
He was speaking after inaugurating NITI Ayog's 'Digi Dhan Mela' at Town Hall here on Wednesday January 25.
"This Digi Dhan Mela in Mangaluru is the 30th such programme in the country to promote the cashless digital payment. The government is rewarding people who opt for digital payments. India is emerging as a digital economy.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a transformative leader who wants the country to be powerful, digitalised and honest. Modi introduced the concepts of Digital India, Skill India and Swacch Bharath to make this country a supreme leader of the world, and digital payment is part of this process," he said.
On demonetisation, he said, "Nearly Rs 25,000 crore has been deposited in Jan Dhan accounts. Jan Dhan account is linked to Aadhar and through this, subsidy can be provided to the deprived. We have prevented up to Rs 36,000 crore from getting diverted to corrupt officials. Demonetising high value currencies broke the backbone of terrorism, Maoism and Naxalism in the country. Human trafficking, where brokers pick girls from Bangladesh, North East, Nepal and push them to brothels, has drastically come down. Demonetisation has paralysed the entire network of human trafficking. It can be said that this is the biggest achievement of demonetisation.
"By making digital payments we will become honest. I have noticed that temples are becoming digital which is appreciable. If street vendors, chaiwala and paanwala go for digital payment and get around 200 customers a day, then they can easily avail loans.
"Modi government is a transformative government. When BJP came back to power SIT was formed to curb black money. We also took the initiative to negotiate and signed treaties with Mauritius, Singapore and Cyprus to contain black money. We also negotiated with Switzerland and signed an agreement, according to which, Switzerland will share every information on Indian accounts in that country.
"Modi government has never been charged with corruption. Decisions are taken in a fair manner. Digital payment is designed for a better society," he added.
"We are introducing Aadhar-based payment which is a new digital innovation. The whole world is surprised to see India's progess. Mangaluru is known to be an educational hub. Educated students of the country are expected to take the lead for a better India," Prasad said.
Minister for drinking water and sanitation Ramesh Jigajanagi said, "Digi Dhan Mela is a historic step towards making India a cashless economy. On November 8, the Prime Minister demonetised Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes with the prime objective to contain the black money. Every citizen should extend full support for this move and prefer to go cashless. If people opt for cashless transactions, then automatically corruption will be contained."
MP Nalin Kumar Kateel said, "Prime minister Narendra Modi came up with the strong motive to build the nation and introduced Udyog Mela to curb unemployment and provide jobs for the youths in the country. I feel proud about the way Mangaluru has switched over to digitalisation, with even PM Modi appreciating the owner of Hotel Vardhaman in his Mann ki Baat. This indicates how Mangaluru has supported demonetisation by Prime Minister Modi.
"Even auto rickshaws and holy places in Mangaluru are going cashless and prefering digital payments. Even the Swacch Bharath Abhiyaan is followed in full swing as Ramakrishna Math, Madrasas and the churches have extended their full support in cleaning the city which is appreciable. Recently, Belapu village became digitalised, and before March 30, entire Dakshina Kannada district will be transformed in a similar manner," he said.
"The centre has already sanctioned over Rs 10,000 crore for the purpose of development in various sectors of Dakshina Kannada. Mangaluru is known to be an educational hub having 18 engineering colleges, 5 universities and 10 medical colleges. I urge minister Ravi Shankar Prasad to grant IT Park in Mangaluru and also help protect Kambala which is the ancient sport of Dakshina Kannada," the MP entreated.
On the occasion, Ravi Shankar Prasad handed over laptops to five rural entreprenuers for promoting digital payments in their respective villages. They were Umar Farooq, Ravi Shankar from Bidar, Kailash from Davangere, Shivu from Dharwad and Ganga from Bengaluru.
A documentary on digital payment prepared by NITI Ayog was presented.
Earlier in the day, Ramesh Jigajinagi inaugurated an exhibition on digital payments. There were nearly 40 participants, including nationalised banks, private banks and public sectors to inform people about the technicalities and create awareness on Digi Dhan.
Deputy commissioner Dr K G Jagadeesha, Moodbidri MLA Abhaychandra Jain, MLA Mohiudeen Bava, MLC Capt Ganesh Karnik, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, zilla panchayat president Meenakshi Shanthigodu, deputy mayor Sumithra and others were present.
Earlier Report
Udupi: Ravi Shankar Prasad visits Krishna temple, says BJP confident of winning elections
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Jan 25: Union minister for law and information technology Ravi Shankar Prasad and his wife Maya Shankar on Wednesday January 25 visited Sri Krishna Temple here and sought blessings from Paryaya Sri Vishweshateertha Swamiji.
Speaking to reporters, Prasad said, "I have come here not as a minister but as a devotee. After this, I will be visiting Mangaluru to inaugurate the Digi Dhan Mela. We are organizing Digi Dhan Melas all over the country to create awareness among people about digital payments.
"I am a devotee of the most powerful Goddess Mookambika and Lord Sri Krishna, who are part of the spiritual heritage of India. I seek blessings only from two gods. I am privileged to meet Sri Vishweshateertha Swamiji of Paryaya Pejawar Math. I had earlier come here in 2010.
"Let the country prosper and let India become strong," he added.
On the upcoming assembly elections in different states, Ravi Shankar Prasad said, "We have won in municipality elections in Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Chandigarh, and we have won Lok Sabha by-elections in Madhya Pradesh. I am confident that BJP will win the elections, because people of the country want to move foward, led by the Modi government."
On the issue of ban on Kambala, he said, "I have spoken to the district BJP president who has given me a memorandum. Mangaluru MP Nalin Kumar also met me to discuss the issue. The union government's stance is very clear. The Modi government respects local customs, the cultural traditions and the diversity of India, be it Tamil Nadu or Karnataka. I have been given to understand that there is some interim order by the court. I will have to examine that.
"If the government of Karnataka undertakes a legislative move like issuing an ordinance or passing a law, and if it comes to us (union government), we will support it fully without any objection. We are awaiting the ordinance document from chief minister Siddaramaiah. Modi government respects culture, tradition and heritage of India and all these sports are a part of cultural folklore of the states," he said.
Replying to a question on triple Talaq, he said, "The government of India has explained its position to the Supreme Court. Our position is that triple Talaq is bad on the grounds of gender justice, gender dignity and gender equality. Our Constitution respects the right of women and upholds their dignity. Secondly, we respect the freedom of conscience and worship. But every bad practice is not a part of religion and it should not be. Triple Thalaq is being regulated in 20 Islamic countries including Pakistan. If these countries can regulate Talaq without any problem, how can an argument be raised in the case of India, which is a secular country?"