Budget 2017 hails Digital India, Read The Highlights

Budget 2017 hails digital India. The Finance Minister has talked of some basic benefits using digital instruments especially in the post de-monetisation scenario. Here are some of the highlights

Aadhar Pay to be Launched

Finance Minister wants to restrict cash transactions above Rs 3 lakhs. This is a clear signal to push for digital payments. We already have a large number of payment wallets now in India. The government's Bhim app has been adopted by 1.25 crore people according to Mr Arun Jaitley.

Aadhar Based Smart Card for Senior Citizens

Senior Citizens will soon get an Aadhar based smart card. The smart cards will be designed to monitor their health.

Rural High-Speed Broadband Connectivity

The government is now pushing the agenda of digital India into rural India, perhaps trying to end the gap between India and Bharat. By the the end of 2017-18, high-speed broadband connectivity on optic fibres may be made available in more than 1,50,000 gram panchayats as per the budget.

No more service charges on e-tickets from IRCTC

In what can definitely called a populist move, the service charges that existed on e-tickets booked from IRCTC will be withdrawn. But the catch is, this is an option when booked through the IRTC website and not third parties.

New Centralised Online Booking System for Soldiers

The New Centralised Defence Travel System is introduced to help soldiers and defence personals to make their travel needs easy. Now they can book tickets online through the new booking system, saving them from the need to stand in long queues.