Insta
Helped By Fertilizers, Direct Benefit Transfers Cross Rs 3 Lakh Crore Mark In FY19; 60 Per Cent Jump Over FY18
Swarajya Staff
Apr 23, 2019, 12:10 PM | Updated 12:10 PM IST
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
One of NDA government’s most ambitious schemes direct benefit transfer (DBT) of subsidies in cash and kind crossed the Rs 3 lakh milestone in 2018-19, reports The Hindu BusinessLine (BL).
According to government data, DBT transfers amounted to Rs 3,06,260 crore last fiscal (FY19), a 60 per cent jump from 2017-18 (FY18). A total of 123.8 crore beneficiaries were reached through over 351-crore transactions.
The jump over FY18 can be attributed to the launch of DBT in fertiliser where Rs 39,230.64 crore was transferred in 2018-19.
Helps Eliminate Inefficiencies
DBT is a re-engineered government delivery system in which public goods are directly delivered to the beneficiaries, either in cash or kind. Such direct transfers are effected through the use of Aadhaar.
Former Chief Economic Advisor (CEA), Arvind Subramanian, has noted that DBT has helped eliminate “ghost beneficiaries.” “DBT is important not only for fiscal savings … if the government can deliver these services it would legitimise the state, it would arrest the ongoing trend of de-legitimisation of the state the world over,” he had stated.
Currently, DBT is used in over 434 government schemes, run by over 56 ministries. While estimates suggest that the government will save over Rs 40,000 crores through DBT, some expect that savings will reach Rs 45,000 crores.
Also Read: Why A Victory For Aadhaar Is A Victory For India’s Poor
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
Introducing ElectionsHQ + 50 Ground Reports Project
The 2024 elections might seem easy to guess, but there are some important questions that shouldn't be missed.
Do freebies still sway voters? Do people prioritise infrastructure when voting? How will Punjab vote?
The answers to these questions provide great insights into where we, as a country, are headed in the years to come.
Swarajya is starting a project with an aim to do 50 solid ground stories and a smart commentary service on WhatsApp, a one-of-a-kind. We'd love your support during this election season.
Click below to contribute.