In an attempt to promote Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a cashless economy, the BJP government in Haryana has ordered its employees to make at least one digital transaction within the next seven days from their mobile phones and submit “certificates” of compliance.
However, employees associations have condemned the order, saying that the government cannot compel them to make online payments, says a report in The Indian Express.
"State government is giving thrust to promote the usage of less-cash/ digital economy and encourage people as well as government officials to use bank apps like SBI Buddy, USSD and Unified Payment Interface system,” The Indian Express quoted the order as saying.
“Officers/incharges will personally download the app on their mobile phones and do at least one transaction within seven days,” the order read further.
The government’s order also stated that officers will enrol, train and assist their household helps and personal staff in the office to download the app on their mobile phones.
Moreover, two nodal officers have been appointed in each department who will collect the proof of compliance from the employees. Camps are to be held with the help of banks to training employees on how to make digital transactions.
The government had issued the order on December 2 and had announced December 9 as the compliance date. However, the order is yet to be implemented because not all departments have received the directive.
According to the report, the decision is expected to impact 2.35 lakh employees in the state.
“If the government had to take such a decision, the representatives of employees should have been taken into confidence. The government is not giving any allowance to purchase smart phones or internet connections. Not all employees have these. We have registered our protest on the issue,” said S K Lamba, general secretary, Haryana Power Union.
The Haryana government, over the last few weeks, has taken several steps to promote cashless economy. Administrative secretaries have been allotted different districts where they are required to train people from different sections in digital transactions.
“Around 15 to 20 days ago, the Chief Minister took the initiative to prioritise digital transactions. In all districts, traffic challans can now be paid digitally. We have called for a few hundred machines where you can swipe cards and pay money. The idea is to move towards plastic payments,” said Bhupeshwar Dayal, OSD to Chief Minister Monohar Lal Khattar.
