Kamrup (Assam), 19 May (HS): A laptop distribution programme for DigiPay Sakhis was organised at the Conference Hall of the Integrated District Commissioner’s Office in Amingaon, Kamrup, with district officials highlighting the importance of digital financial inclusion in rural areas.

The programme was attended by Kamrup District Commissioner Deba Kumar Mishra, Zilla Parishad Chief Executive Officer Siddhartha Goswami, ASRLM District Programme Manager Sumit Prasad Das and other senior officials of the district administration. During the event, a total of 71 laptops were distributed among DigiPay Sakhis.

Addressing the gathering, the District Commissioner said Assam, in line with the rest of the country, is steadily moving towards digitisation of financial transactions in the smartphone era. He stated that online payments and mobile-based transactions are rapidly becoming a part of everyday life, making the role of DigiPay Sakhis at the grassroots level increasingly significant.

He said the laptops would help the DigiPay Sakhis carry out transactions more efficiently and promote wider adoption of cashless payment systems in rural areas. The DC further noted that digital and cashless transactions strengthen financial empowerment, particularly for women, by ensuring direct payments without the involvement of middlemen.

DigiPay Sakhi is a key financial inclusion initiative implemented under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). The initiative aims to empower women associated with Self-Help Groups by training them to provide digital banking and financial services in villages and remote areas.

Acting as community-level banking agents, DigiPay Sakhis facilitate doorstep banking services and help rural residents gain easier access to financial services. The beneficiaries expressed gratitude after receiving the laptops and said the devices would improve their efficiency and help them achieve their work targets more effectively.-----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash