Indian Talent + Information Technology = India Tomorrow – Narendra Modi.
Well, the Indian Prime Minister from time and again has given a strong impetus on the use of technology. With roll out of the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme, the Indian government reinforced its vision for a digitally empowered society, and a citizen-centric and accountable governance.
The DBT scheme aims to minimize leakages during funds transfer and offer benefits directly to the citizens. Millions of Indian citizens will benefit from the scheme as they directly receive funds in their Aadhar linked bank accounts. The scheme is being widely accepted by various state government departments, officials and as well as citizens.
With the government increasing subsidies on food, fertilizer and petroleum by over 3% in the Union budget 2017, how do they ensure effective targeting of beneficiaries ?
Getting the facts right
DBT aims to ensure that benefits reach to the right people in the right time. The citizens and stakeholders definitely have high hopes from this initiative as it eliminates cash handouts, thereby, eliminating leakages and achieving accountability. However, the current state of manual and document intensive processes pose a host of challenges in implementing this new system.
- Limited initiation channels for citizens – With roll-out of great schemes, it’s also vital to ensure that they are accessible to the target beneficiaries even in the remotest of areas. The citizens should be able to access and initiate the application process from various channels such as online portals, social media channels, physical application form and others.
- Lack of collaboration – To directly credit benefits in citizens’ accounts, it requires seamless and secure flow of information across various government systems, core banking systems and Public Financial Management system (PFMS). Ensuring collaboration with seamless integration across these platforms and systems is what needs to be achieved.
- Low visibility – Siloed processes, awaited approvals and document-intensive workflows all sums up to delayed funds transfer. Streamlining the complete process from receiving application to transferring funds would ensure scheme’s successful implementation across various states and at the national level.
- High on errors – Limited knowledge about the scheme poses a huge challenge of committing errors while submitting an application. Further, manual data entry adds to the complexity.
Streamlining DBT with BPM
The DBT scheme is a reflection of how the government is striding towards a digitally empowered society. Leveraging the right technology can enhance scheme’s effectiveness and create a huge impact across the nation.
A Business Process Management (BPM) system with its extensive integration capabilities, workflow flexibility and comprehensive tracking capabilities is the solution for a streamlined DBT process. Automated workflows and pre-defined rules eliminate manual hand-offs and errors, overcoming challenges such as duplication and pilferage.
So, here’s a quick checklist to consider while choosing a solution for streamlining the DBT process :
- End-to-end automation from application registration to funds transfer
- Single point interface for beneficiaries, officials and other stakeholders, allowing enhanced collaboration and monitoring
- Pre-defined rules for application submission and eligibility check to eliminate errors
- Real-time status updates for each application
- Secured archival and easy access to beneficiary’s information
Empowering the officials with the right technology is the antidote for all the current challenges. To be a truly digital nation, it’s time to exploit technology and adopt the right solutions.
