PM sets National Committee for direct cash transfer

Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has constituted a committee to coordinate action for the introduction of direct cash transfers to individuals under the various government schemes and programmes.

The National Committee on Direct Cash Transfers chaired by the Prime Minister will provide an overarching vision and direction to enable direct cash transfers of benefits, leveraging the investments being made in the Aadhaar Project, financial inclusion and other initiatives of the government, to enhance efficiency, transparency and accountability.

Apart from determining broad policy objectives and strategies for direct cash transfers, the committee will identify Government programmes and schemes for which direct cash transfers to individuals can be adopted and suggest the extent and scope of direct cash transfers in each case.

Besides, it will coordinate the activities of various ministries, departments and agencies involved in enabling direct cash transfers and ensure timely, coordinated action to ensure speedy rollout of direct cash transfers across the country.

It will also specify timelines for the rollout of direct cash transfers, review the progress of implementation of direct cash transfers and provide guidance for mid-course corrections.

An official release said, the National Committee will have eleven Cabinet Ministers, two Ministers of State with independent charge, Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission, Chairman of Unique Identification Authority of India, the Cabinet Secretary with the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister as the convenor.