Panel set up for digital economy roadmap

The government on Wednesday set up a panel comprising six chief ministers and Niti Aayog officials to prepare a roadmap for the country’s smooth transition to digital economy post demonetisation.

The panel includes Niti Aayog vice-chairman Arvind Panagariya, its CEO Amitabh Kant and former UIDAI chairman Nandan Nilekani. It has been tasked to identify and implement global best practices on making India a cashless economy.

Headed by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, the panel will prepare an action plan to reach out to people and spread awareness on digital mode of payment.

“The committee has been tasked to identify steps for rapid adoption of digital payments like debit and credit cards, digital wallets, internet banking and unified payment interface by people,” an official said.

In an attempt to placate the Opposition, which has protested over several issues related to demonetisation drive, the panel gives representation to both ruling and opposition parties.

The committee will also prepare a roadmap for the administrative machineries in the states to facilitate adoption of digital modes of financial transactions. It will identify and address bottlenecks and indicate ways for faster adoption of digital mode of payments.

Other members of the committee are Odisha Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal leader Naveen Patnaik, his Sikkim counterpart Pawan Kumar Chamling, Puducherry Chief Minister and Congress leader V Narayanasamy, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

The panel’s special invitees are Janmejaya Sinha, Chairman, Boston Consulting Group; Rajesh Jain, MD, netCORE; Sharad Sharma,  cofounder, iSPIRIT; and Jayant Varma, Professor (Finance), IIM (Ahmedabad).