Tripura opposes direct cash transfer

AGARTALA, INDIA: The Left Front government in Tripura Wednesday opposed the central government's direct cash transfer scheme saying banking was not available in most villages.

"Only 102 bank branches are functioning in Tripura though it has 1,038 panchayats and village committees. The network is inadequate," Tripura Finance and PWD Minister Badal Chowdhury told reporters here.

He said the number of ATMs was also insufficient.

"How will people get subsidies without banking," he asked.

Under the scheme, the central government will transfer cash for scholarships, pensions, rural job guarantee wages, to bank or post office accounts of beneficiaries.

Among the seven north-eastern states, the scheme will be implemented in two districts in Sikkim -- Sikkim East and Sikkim West -- from Feb 1 and in four districts of Tripura -- Khowai, Dhalai, West Tripura and North Tripura -- from March 1.

"The government said the cash transfer will be based on Aadhaar cards (bearing the 12-digit Unique Identification number). Most people in Tripura are yet to get the cards," Chowdhury said.