IMPHAL, April 2 - To promote cashless transaction and spread awareness about digital payments in Manipur, Chief Minister N Biren Singh inaugurated the Digi-Dhan Mela at the City Convention Centre (CCC) here today.
The inaugural function was attended by Union Minister of State (Home Affairs) Kiren Rijiju and Union Minister of State (Railways), Rajen Gohain, besides Deputy Chief Minister Y Joykumar Singh, Parliamentary Secretary (Finance), Th. Satyabrata Singh and Parliamentary Secretary (IT), Dr Sapam Ranjan Singh as chief guest and guests of honour respectively. Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), MC Mary Kom also attended the function as special guest.
A first of its kind in the State, the Digi-Dhan Mela seeks to promote cashless economy through digital mode of transactions.
Speaking at the function, Chief Minister N Biren Singh said that it is necessary to create awareness about digital payments throughout Manipur so as to bring about a digital revolution and corruption-free State. Considering the steps taken by the banking sector, N Biren Singh further said the digital mode of transaction would enable the people living in the remote areas of the State to be a part of the banking system. More bank branches and micro ATMs should be opened in rural and far-flung areas, he added.
Biren Singh then said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as India has seen many transformations in various sectors, Manipur should not be left out in this transformation. �However, to usher transformation and change it should begin from ourselves�, he added. He further said the Centre has given approval for a 100-bed cancer hospital at the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), besides a 60-bed mental hospital in the State. To have better healthcare services in the State, the Union Home Ministry has also approved mobile or helicopter ambulance services for the remote areas of Manipur. The Centre has already sanctioned 150 crores for building of a women�s market in each hill district of the State and for the installation of flood lights in the Hockey and Main Stadium at Khuman Lampak. He also appealed to all concerned to go for bilateral dialogue with the Government before calling any general strike or bandh. For this, the door is always open. He further said that the Government needs the support of the people and any suggestion and positive criticism would be appreciated so as to develop Manipur into a world class State.
Also speaking at the function, Union Minister of State for Home, Kiren Rijiju said that the Digital India campaign is an important component for transforming the country. He further urged the people to educate any other member of the family about digital payments or the technology involved and the benefits of cashless transaction so as to develop a digital economy in the State. He appreciated the enormous potential of Manipur in the field of art and culture, sports and natural beauty. He further assured the people of the State that the Central Government would do everything to fulfil the aspirations of the people of Manipur.
During the function, a short video on digital payment was also screened. The winners of the digital lottery schemes was announced. The lottery schemes, conceptualised by NPCI on the request of think tank NITI Aayog, aims to provide incentives to the people doing small business so as to adopt digital mode of payments like UPI, USSD, RuPay and AEPS. The winners of the slogan writing, poster-making and jingle competitions were also announced. Altogether, 35 stalls from various banking sectors like SBI, UBI, Bank of Baroda etc., e-Loishang (Common Service Centre) and digital payment company Paytm participated in the mela.
The inaugural function was also attended by various Cabinet Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries, Chief Secretary, O Nabakishore Singh, officials from Niti Aayog and NPCI, Commissioner of IT, PK Singh. The first-ever Digi-Dhan Mela was organised by the Department of Information Technology, Government of Manipur.
