ATM wage disbursal for NREGS beneficiaries

[sajiv]

CUDDALORE: Local Administration Minister M.K. Stalin inaugurated the new system of wage disbursal through the automated teller machines for the beneficiaries of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme at Periyakanganakuppam here on Saturday.

State Bank of India, with the technical support of the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras, has set up five ATMs, at Periyakanganakuppam, Thiruvahindrapuram, Panchanguppam, Padhirikuppam and Karaiyeravittakuppam. Except the last one, the four others were activated.

Besides the regular features, a special bio-metric technique has been incorporated in the ATMs. Even the illiterates, who may not be aware of the four-digit code numbers, can operate their accounts. All they have to do is to put the thumb at the allotted space in the ATM, which will open the transactions after reading the fingerprints. The beneficiaries could withdraw a minimum of Rs. 50 at a time.

Mr. Stalin told reporters that the system was introduced for the first time in Tamil Nadu. After assessing its performance, it would be extended to the rest of the State.

Collector Rajendra Ratnoo said that under the system, cash would not change hands at the panchayat level. Once the panchayat president or the designated officials instructed the banks, the payment, as per the amount of work done, would be debited in the accounts of the beneficiaries.

The system was adopted to prevent any malpractice. At Periyakanganankuppam, 600-odd people were enrolled under the NREG scheme, and 400 of them opened bank accounts, Mr. Ratnoo said.

Mr. Stalin later inaugurated an aquarium set up at a cost of Rs. 27.67 lakh in the municipal park here.