To raise awareness about digital payments in rural parts of India, Google India has collaborated with Tata Trusts.
Under this programme, Google India will use trained women from Internet Saathi programme, which it runs across different states, to impart training to the rural masses, the Times of India reported.
The modes of digital payment covered in the training includes debit/credit/prepaid cards, Unified Payment Interface, Unstructured Supplementary Service Data, Aadhaar-enabled payment systems, e-wallets among others.
A training official said demonetisation has led to two significant challenges in rural India. “The scrapping of old notes had coincided with the harvest and sowing season.
Also, inadequate awareness and availability of agencies to facilitate cashless transactions simply added to the problems in the rural areas.
” Tata Trusts is keen to be a part of the Government of India’s initiative for the cashless economy. Executives from local banks have imparted training to Internet Saathis on activation of mobile banking and various applications.
Apart from Internet Saathis, Mobikwik has also extended its support towards the cause. The company has already made milk cooperative Amul go cashless in Gujarat.
Now it is collaborating with Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) in the State to facilitate smooth cashless transactions for agri- commodities trading. The company plans to further penetrate the market by covering rural market through its m-wallet services at APMCs and offline stores.
Keeping in mind the locals, Mobikwik has launched the app in Gujarati after launching it in Hindi earlier. Similarly, Mobikwik has also partnered with AIIMS, Delhi to make its all payment facilities cashless. Initially, the resident doctors, staff and visitors can utilise MobiKwik in the institution’s cafeteria. Soon, doctor’s consultation fee, tests and other services will also be made cashless as well.
“We are proud to support Indians during the current situation of cash crunch and lead India’s transformation into a less-cash economy. AIIMS is the foremost medical institution in India and we are glad to have partnered with them,” said MobiKwik co-founder Upasana Taku.
Mobikwik has also received an in-principle approval from the RBI last month to setup a Bharat Bill Payments Operating Unit (BBPOU) that will allow users across India, including those from rural and semi-rural areas to pay their utility and convenience bills using the wallet.
