By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts Cookies Policy.
This remote village in Ahmedabad turned digital after demonetisation
After Narendra Modi surprised the nation by announcing that Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes are no more a legal tender, tremors were felt across the nation resulting scarcity of cash across the country.
Ahmedabad, November 13: Meet Manilal Prajapati, a cable operator in a remote village of Akodara, Ahmedabad, started running a grocery shop in his vicinity in the backdrop of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes demonetisation. On Friday the 45-year-old Prajapati bought wheat flour and a packet of potato chips for Rs 200 from the local grocer with just a few clicks on his mobile phone. His mobile phone is linked to his bank account and money was instantly transferred to the account of the grocer.
After Narendra Modi surprised the nation by announcing that Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes are no more a legal tender, tremors were felt across the nation resulting scarcity of cash across the country. But the remote village with a low population is on calm. It is India’s first ‘digital village’ where most of the families fall back on e-banking for everything – from buying milk to biscuits – through their mobile phones.
According to Hindustan Times, Prajapati collects his monthly cable bill in a similar fashion. All they had to do is to follow a small standard procedure through phone banking. In Akodara the local dairy cooperation has stopped making cash payments since the past one year. It also transfers money to the accounts of the farmers, saving the huge time of the administration of handling huge volumes of cash.
In 2015 the village with a small population of 1,200 was adopted by the ICICI Bank as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Digital India campaign. It has transformed the village into one with few parallels. “Unlike other bank branches in the rest of the country, there is no rush here. It’s business as usual for us,” says bank manager Pratik Panchal.
Also Read:
For breaking news and live news updates, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Read more on Latest India News on India.com.