Berhampur: Guided by the pathbreaking 5T Initiatives of the Government of Odisha, the Ganjam District administration has moved a step ahead towards digital transformation by promoting digital transactions through m-POS devices to be operated by members of the Mission Shakti Women Self Help Groups. As part of its efforts to promote digital transactions and empower the WSHGs, the district administration has started distribution of the modern m-POS devices to book keepers of various SHG groups under Project Money Purse. It aims at Digital transformation of WSHGs and promote digital transactions on the ground level. Initially, the Project Money Purse has been taken up in ten GPs of Ganjam on a pilot basis.
The basic objective of this project is to provide doorsteps financial transaction services to WSHGs, JLGs, Federations and Individuals through SHG members who will be trained to act as Human Banking Specialists (HBS). The Human Banking Specialists can also get financial incentives by providing financial services at the doorstep of the common man thereby adding to their regular income.
This project also helps SHG/JLGs to repay their loan in time through HBS without going to banks.
The Project Money Purse will also help SHGs, JLGs and individuals to do all kinds of financial transactions through digital mode without depending on going to the banks.
The pilot project was launched today by the district administration in the presence of the Chief Development Officer-cum-EO, ZP, Ganjam Keerthi Vasan. Initially, 10 Gram Panchayats have been identified across the district for the pilot and m-POS devices were distributed to the SHG members.
One SHG group each from Khallikote, Beguniapada, Ganjam, Chatrapur, Rangeilunda, Chikiti, Patrapur, Sheragada, Surada and Kukudakhandi blocks were trained by Anniyam Payment Solution Ltd, Bhubaneswar, regarding the modalities to use the m-POS device to make all types of financial transactions.
The SHG members welcomed the initiative of the administration which is in line with the 5T Initiatives of the state government, leveraging Technology to achieve digital transformation. The SHG groups have assured to provide quality services to SHG, JLG and individuals and also to achieve the overarching objective of providing doorsteps financial services through digital mode. The m-POS machines will allow SHG banking as well as public banking in every village with complete accounting and Ebook keeping service. It is very easy to use and needs little training.
Commenting on the initiative, CDO Keerthi Vasan says “The aim is to bring modern technology nearer to the common man. The Self Help Groups will ensure that real time digital transactions help the people who are far from the banking services. We aim to reciprocate the success of the pilot project throughout the district in the coming days. As the thrust is on Women Self Help Groups, it will add to their empowerment and financial independence.”