Culmination of 100 days of Digi Dhan Melas

Chandigarh, 14^th April, 2017:- A state level function was organised today at Post Graduate college for girls sector 42 to mark the Culmination of 100 days of digi dhan melas and 126th birth anniversary of Baba Saheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar. 

Hon'ble Prime Minister's  vision of making our country digital friendly, in view of the cashless city campaign and organising the successful 100 digi dhan melas coincided. The state level function saw the presence of Sh. VP Singh Badnore, Governor of Punjab and Administrator U.T Chandigarh, Sh. Parimal Rai, IAS, Adviser to the Administrator, Sh. Tejinder Luthra, IPS, DGP Chandigarh, Sh. Ajit Balaji Joshi, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, U.T Chandigarh, Dr. Tapasya Raghav, IAS, SDM (east),Chandigarh Administration, Sh. Arjun Sharma, IAS (P), Sh. Saurav Mishra, IAS (P), Sh. Rajiv Gupta, PCS, Additional Deputy Commissioner, U.T Chandigarh, Smt. Navjot Kaur, PCS,Director Public Relations,Chandigarh Administration, Sh. Rubinderjit Brar, PCS, Director School Education, Chandigarh Administration, Principal of Post Graduate college for girls sector 42 Smt. Dinu Dogra and other senior officials of the Chandigarh Administration.

Sh. Ajit Balaji Joshi, IAS welcomed all the dignitaries and briefed the audience about the Digi dhan mela held in Chandigarh where in more than 10,000 bank accounts were opened and more than 20,000 people from across the city participated. 

Addressing the gathering, Sh. VP Singh Badnore, Governor of Punjab and Administrator U.T Chandigarh expressed his happiness on being part of this function and said, " The vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Narender Modi to make the governance transparent and corruption free has been well taken all over the world. The concept of Digital India has not only brought a massive change within the country but has also alleviated the image of India at the highest level on the International sphere" 

He further added that it feels great to see that today the entire country has watched Hon'ble Prime Minister Sh. Narender Modi Ji live from Nagpur on the completion of 100 days of Digi Dhan Melas. The day is also coincided with the 126th birth anniversary of Baba Saheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar Ji. 

H.E V.P Singh Badnore congratulated the Chandigarh Administration and everybody else who has contributed in this mission to make India a less cash society. He added that this will help ensure financial inclusion where every Indian, irrespective of socio-economic status, is empowered with necessary digital tools to participate in the new age economy. He further recognized the efforts of all citizens who have willingly participated in this digital payment mission.

He further shared that, " Well begun is half done and here also the initiatives of the Government is symbolic of a good beginning. We need to sustain and nurture these ideas with active participation from all segments of the society. To ensure absolute transparency in the system, it is necessary to reduce cash in circulation and impart urgency to promote secure digital payment methods."

The Governor applauded Chandigarh Administration for its sincere efforts to make this movement successful by organising a Digi Dhan Mela where more than 10,000 New Bank account were opened with  360 degree live streaming of the Mela along with Training, Awareness and Promotional activities. A special mention was made of the departments which have gone  100% cashless enabled. Some of these departments are Education Department, Excise and Taxation department, Food and Supplies Department, Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh, Sampark Centers, Labour department. 

Sh. VP Singh Badnore during his address gave special appreciation to all the students involved in the campaign.  Extensive pledge campaign was undertaken to promote a cashless society. More than 2, 00,000 students got a pledge signed from their parents. He said, " As per the initiative taken by Prime Minister of India, Sh. Narendra Modi on less cash and cashless Chandigarh, we had taken his directions forward by launching various Apps in this regard. Students of schools and colleges are being involved and they have doing tremendous work in field. 

He expressed his happiness on Chandigarh being the First city for  Smart Card for all and futher urged all citizens to extend their unstinted support to the mission of a less cash India. All efforts of the Government will be fruitful only with the support of our people.

The function was followed by live telecast of the Event held at Nagpur where in all the winners of the Digi Dhan mela were awarded. The Department of Rural Development & Panchayats made elaborate arrangements to live telecast the event at village Khuda Lahora, Kaimbwala and Daria. The residents of these villages and nearby areas viewed the telecast in large number and the event have made the people aware of the policies and functioning of the Central Government.